SF Supervisor, Friend Share Unique Parenting Roles

Oct. 9 (KGO) -- There are all sorts of parenting arrangements these days -- single dads, grandparents raising grandchildren -- but one of the most unusual we've heard of is that of a San Francisco supervisor and his best friend.

Mom, dad and newborn baby -- it seems typical enough but consider the dad -- San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty is gay and the mom, Rebecca Goldfader, is a lesbian.

Rebecca Goldfader, new mom: "We're choosing to co-parent in a way that might be considered alternative, but is actually somewhat traditional."

Somewhat. There's a mother and a father but there's no romance.

Rebecca Goldfader, new mom: "Actually I see Bevan and I not being a romantic couple as a benefit. A lot of straight couples have said that as well, like you don't have to deal with that whole other set of issues. Your focus is on the child."

Gay parents are not new. According to a UCLA study, about 70,000 children in California are living with gay parents. Many same sex couples are adopting, others have children from previous marriages and some women go the donor route. Both Dufty, who is 51, and Goldfader, 40, wanted a biological child. The result is their baby girl, Sidney.

Bevan Dufty, new father: "Because of our respective ages and the chronology of our life, we had to go to intervention. We wound up doing invitro fertilization."

According to census data, roughly one-third of American children live in single parent households. That won't be the case with little Sidney. Dufty and Goldfader will live under the same roof, in separate units of a duplex they hope to buy. What happens if they find partners? They'll make room.

Bevan Dufty, new father: "The thing that matters most to me is I want to be a good dad, a good co-parent and then everything else will take care of itself."

Right now like any new parents, they are enjoying their baby and celebrating a unique twist on the concept of family.

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