The how-to aspect of the “Science Project” will return next month. I want to share an amazing experience this gay family had the pleasure of participating in.

Question: Where can you find:

•    2000 beautiful, grounded, loving, LGBTQ people, their allies, and their families;

•    Delightful, polite, wanted, children of all ages and races;

•    Unlimited amazing food like shrimp cocktail, homemade pastry, and European chocolates all served with five-star service;

•    Leaders of national gay rights organizations, social justice seminars, bingo, gambling, and dancing;

•    Tony Award® winning Broadway stars, famous film and television actors, Cyndi Lauper, and sought-after comedians?

Answer: R-Family Vacations

The gay, family-friendly vacation company started by Rosie O’Donnell, her partner Kelli and their friend Greg Kaminsky.

A few years ago when watching the documentary, All Aboard Rosie’s Family Cruise, we vowed to climb aboard. We booked the spring break, Mexican Rivera cruise, in the cheapest room, and were delighted with our beautiful accommodations and the value we got for our money.

We have tried to describe all that went into making this five-star service trip fantastic. It is easy to brag about interacting with famous people. My partner worked-out with Cyndi Lauper and many stars of the Logo’s Big Gay Sketch Show. My son ran up to Sharon Gless from Cagney and Lacy and more recently Debbie on Queer as Folk, about six times during dinner. Ross the Intern from The Tonight Show hosted game shows and greeted people all over the ship. Each evening, Broadway stars belted out tunes at the piano bar. My son played with Kevin Chamberlain’s (Horton the Elephant from the musical Suessical) hat while riding to the pier. Rosie O’Donnell stopped and said goodbye to us when we were in Cabo.

R-Family chartered a Holland America ship known for their cuisine and green friendly practices. We never used a disposable cup, napkin, or paper towel the entire trip. In public bathrooms we were provided with washcloths to dry our hands. The staff were joyful and paid extra attention to all our children, performing magic tricks, singing and playing with them. The food and service were amazing - one waiter who particularly liked us would bring us a dinner course and scoop our son out of his high chair, entertaining him a few feet away while we ate uninterrupted.

The true reason the trip was amazing, however, is the quality of the people who go on an R Family Vacation. This ship was full of the most loving families I have ever witnessed. I think that when so many folks get together who are queer or love someone queer, there is an unspoken bond. Then when gay people go the many extra steps it takes to bring children into their lives, they have to get over their own issues and work instead at being good parents. That intention seems to make for dynamite families.

We met families made through surrogacy, foreign and local adoption, foster care, and insemination. As children of LGBT folks are wanted and brought into the world with a great deal of intention, those inviting them into their lives seem more grounded because they are actualizing their dreams.

Jennifer, a Holland America childcare worker stated, “R Family Vacations is one of the best things I've ever witnessed… As a straight female with no gay relatives -- I've experienced something so genuinely thought provoking and touching that I feel honored to have been a part of it. I would jump at any chance to experience it again.”  

The children and teenagers we met were so polite and worldly. They are leaders in their communities, raising funds, protesting, and speaking up for equal rights. They understand what it is to fight for one’s rights and they are doing what they can to change the world. I can’t wait for the children raised by LGBT parents to be our future leaders.

Before having a baby, my partner and I debated whether it was fair to bring a child up with lesbian moms. I left the cruise knowing it isn’t only fair, it may in fact be an advantage. These children are brought up wanted, surrounded by love and cherished.

R-Family Vacations are for everyone, young or old, with kids or without, single, partnered, gay or straight families or whomever. This summer there is a cruise leaving from New York touring New England and Canada. Next summer we will be on the Alaskan cruise leaving from Vancouver. Visit rfamilyvacations.com for more details. See you on the ship.