I am a white male aged 47 (large but a bit tubby). I and my boyfriend (soon to be husband)
want to travel with our kids (one adopted child aged 7, from Uzbekistan, one adopted chinese
(actually from Szechuan) aged 4) through the deep south of the USA by bicycle (and maybe hitch hike).
We are concerned about narrow-minded views
spoiling our trip and my boyfriend suggested that he dress up as a woman to make us look
like a traditional southern couple. I think this is kinda dumb. The kids wanted to go to
Disneyland but we thought riding our bikes up dirt roads in the southern apalachians would be
a great way to see the real America (he thinks he can ride his Schwinn in a dress, though)
Do you readers have any advise, especially travelling with our kids
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1. I would not suggest hitch hiking. You probably won't get
many rides and it could put the kids in danger (not to
mention your selves).
2. Wearing a dress could cause more problems than being two
men together (gay or otherwise).
3. With kids that young you may want to go to Disneyland
anyway.
Whatever you decide to do best wishes and have fun.
p.s. I have riden a bike in a dress. It got caught in the
chain. Horrible mess and terribly inconven
Skip the dressing up as a woman gig! Even if your boyfriend
can fool nine out of ten people, one will slip through and
the results could be disastrous!
Traveling on the open road in America should always be
considered with caution, especially in the Deep South -- I
should know, I'm from there.
If you insist on biking through the any part of the rural
South, DO NOT HITCHHIKE! It is illegal in most, if not all,
of the USA, for the protection of the hikers more than the
motorists. Hitchhiking with your children in this area will
put them at significant risk!
Also, if you can manage the philosophical dilemma, I would
suggest hiding your relationship with your boyfriend or at
least masking overt display of your sexual orientation.
Away from population centers in the US you could be subject
to ridicule and, unfortunately, more tangible displays of
disagreement with your lifestyle.
That being said, don't be scared away. You can plan a safe
and fun trip for both yourselves and your children. Just be
aware that certain attitudes in the American South could
pose a problem for
As a parnet with two kids as well, I would go to disneyland.
If you are stressed, they will feel it, and it should be a
lovely time for all of you. Your plans are romantic, but
maybe four is a little young to enjoy it.
Sorry, when I stopped laughing I thought you would have a great career in writing !!
Forget the south , thats just chancing trouble .Gawd , our adopted kids have a hard enough time without dad posing in a frock. Go for Disneyland , if you have to do the Southern bit, leave the boys at home with Nanna
Although I'm not in the same life situation you are, I can
tell you that the south can be VERY negative towards a
couple of gay men, let alone the fact that you'd have two
children of different race. I'd avoid the south as
well...check out the western US, or else take the kids to
Disneyland, they'll love it MUCH more! Biking through the
south is a timebomb.
You never defined what you mean by south. Virginia,
Georgia, Alabama, Texas? We're all considered south and
all have different problems. Avoid the south? Do and
you'll miss out on some beautiful parts of the country.
Let common sense dictate. Would recommend no obvious
public displays of affection outside of urban areas. Most
people wouldn;t hassle you, especially since your obvouisly
adults.
Just say no to homosexual relationships. God did.
Love from the south,
Nickel
Riding a bike in the South in the summer is hot and
miserible. A child will be ready to call it enough in about
3 hours. There is a large gay community on Short Mt.
outside of Woodbury TN. It is rural and beautiful and your
children would feel no stress. I am sure they would have
ideas of great places to go. It is listed in the phone book
at The Sancuary.
It would have been better to leave the kid's in china and
Uzbeckistan. It is sure thing that these countries do not
have screening of potential parents, you would not have
qualified ...
Get real.. Send the kids to Disneyland and then home. You
and your partner should hitchhike through the deep deep
south in Skirts.
...and you thought you'd have to be worried about narrow
minded views once you actually left for your holidays!!!!! I
am continually amazed at how ignorant my fellow human beings
are - SHOCKING! Anyway...I have 3 kids aged 3, 4 and 5 who I
care for on my own - from past experience, even though the
'dirt roads' scenario sounds wonderful, I would have to
agree with the other posters who recommended sticking to
Disney