Gay Days Scotland (GDS) is a group of gay fathers from all over Scotland. During the 5 years that our group has been running we have met over 200 dads. We are a mix of married, separated, divorced and single fathers who are all interested in understanding gay parenting issues and how to provide ourselves and our children with a positive life experience. Some of us are openly gay whilst others are still coming to terms with their sexuality.

We come from differing religious and ethnic groups and diverse backgrounds and jobs. We have civil servants, military guys, teachers, priests, self employed and dads from all sorts of different careers and jobs. Our ages range from 23 - 79 and each of us has some experience of coming to terms with being gay and a father. It is our pooled experience that can sometimes help individuals as none of us is a trained counsellor.

As you can see from some of our discussion topics in the right column we have tried to help each other with support in many forms. For most of us just realising that we are not the only gay father in the world and not alone in worrying about various issues has been a help. Please come and see us and hopefully you can join in our monthly meetings.

We get together for our monthly meetings and try to arrange some social events from time to time ... [more]

We recognise that there are many men is Scotland who feel very isolated as they try to deal with being a gay parent with no support. This group exists to help fill that gap.

The group aims to preserve and protect the good health (mental and physical) of gay fathers and their partners and families by:

• providing relevant advice and support
• providing health education
• providing information to any agencies involved in working with gay parents
• raising public awareness of gay parenting to combat discrimination against gay fathers and their children

Discussion Topics:

• Coming out to our kids - do we or don't we?
• When should we come out if we decide to?
• Kids' reactions to the news.
• How we dealt with rejection from our kids.
• Patching up father/child relationships.
• Wife's & Family's reactions to being told we are gay.
• School issues - do we tell them? Do they need to know?
• Religious implications.
• Moral issues
• Partner & children relationship issues.
• Both partners' kids living under one roof.