For mum Rebecca Gemmell, the Knox Rainbow Family Playgroup is a place where she and daughter Willow can socialise with people who share their experiences.
"It's really important for me," Rebecca says. "I looked for a group like this for quite a while and couldn't find one so when we did I was really excited.
"I think it's really important for Willow to grow up with people with two mums or two dads so she doesn't feel like she's the only one.
"If there's any issues at any stage of her life or she has any questions she can go to her friends if she doesn't want to come to us. Also, it's good for us to be able to talk about things we might face together, being same-sex parents, and seeing how someone else might handle it."
The Rainbow Family Playgroup, for LGBTQIA+ families with babies, toddlers and preschoolers, meets weekly in Bayswater.
Families can meet new friends and access parenting information and support. Children develop their social skills and confidence, extend their language and learn early literacy through words, books and stories.
Rebecca says the environment has been really welcoming.
"We're all there with the same goal, I think, to have our kids grow up with people just like them," she says. "And we like the support too. "There's heaps of toys and equipment for the kids to play with so they entertain themselves. So, we actually get a good opportunity to sit and talk to each other and it's a really nice environment."
The Knox Rainbow Rainbow Family Playgroup meets Wednesdays from 1pm-3pm at Knox Children and Family Centre,
41 Phyllis Street, Bayswater. The playgroup is free to join but members need to register to attend. More information: 9298 8348 or [email protected]
