Mike White is a QueerSpawn

Michael Christopher White, born June 28, 1970 is writer, director, actor and producer for television and film. His is also the winner of the Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award for his film Chuck & Buck. Mike is the son of Lyla and Mel White. His father is an openly gay Reverend and former speechwriter for “Religious Right” figures such as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson. Both Mike and his father appeared in two seasons of The Amazing Race.

White was a writer and producer on Dawson’s Creek and Freaks and Geeks and wrote and acted in the films School of Rock, Nacho Libre and Orange County. He got his first impulse toward writing scripts from his favorite teacher in second grade, the mother of playwright Sam Shepard. White is not only a vegan, but is also a Second Generation because he identifies as bisexual.

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A Funny Thing Called “Dad”

My family said my whole life would change. I did not believe. I do now. Becoming a father has changed my life. It changes the way I look at my life. I am no longer the priority in my life. My son is my focus and while that has been a quite jarring shift, it has been for the better.

My partner and I adopted Farber from day one – in July 2008. Unlike many adoptive families, we were present for his birth – all of it. His entry into the world is a story unto it’s self, but he made it – all 4lbs and 1 ounce.

Now that “little peanut” (that is what the nurses called him in the hospital) is almost 3 and has developed into a little man (who is ironically allergic to peanuts). Even in his worst of moods I find myself laughing or noting a characteristic of the person he has become or will be. His facial expressions could keep me entertained for hours.

We sit down each night and at points during the day and read a variety of books. Because I write reviews for BookDads.com, I am always testing the waters with him on books that are above his reading comprehension, but then we always find something in them to connect with. Sometimes Farber will count stars in the sky, tell me all the colors of a shirt, or point out letters or words he knows. His curiosity and smarts are the magic that makes our world a better place. And it begins with reading.

He is smart and I often wonder – was I this smart at this age – is it because we read everyday. His grasp of technology is scary and inspiring. In fact his favorite book right now is the booklet that came with Super Mario Cart for the Wii – he’ll sit and stare at the ity-bity, tiny pictures for hours if we let him.

His sense of timing is uncanny and deliberate. When he does a smirk or little dance, I roll into a hard laugh. This laugh, unlike before I was a Dad is familiar. I often catch myself looking around for who that laugh is actually coming from. My laugh is my father’s. I laugh just like my Dad.

The one thing besides an appreciation for reading, learning and teaching that I want Farber to have is for…. Humor. I want him to have the comedic wit that seems to bounce around our family. It is one-part sarcastic, one-part mischief, two-parts smarts, and finally one-part creativity. Farber has the recipe and the ingredients, now it is time to wait for it to bake. And we, “chef Daddy and Papa” will hone those skills with funny voices, silly faces and a sharp tongue.

Having a sense of humor will be his shield in a world and society that does not understand or respect a kid with two Dads. He’ll meet it dead on with a “punny” turn-of-phrase, or superior knowledge. Or maybe he’ll just have a hardy laugh in their face, a laugh that sounds just like his Dad’s.


In order to help Farber and kids like him tell their story before that can tell it themselves, I wrote Families Come in Many Different Shapes, Sizes and Colors. It is available on Amazon.com.

50 Cent is a QueerSpawn

50 Cent (aka Curtis Jackson) (Hip-hop Artist)
Born into a notorious Queens drug dynasty during the late '70s, 50 Cent lost those closest to him at an early age. Raised without a father, 50's mother, who was bisexual but also involved in drugs was found dead under mysterious circumstances before he could hit his teens. The orphaned youth was taken in by his grandparents, who provided for 50. After living a dangerous and notorious street life during his teens, the birth of his son put things in perspective for the post adolescent, and 50 began to pursue rap seriously. He as signed to Columbia Records in 1999, which resulted in "Power Of A Dollar." Later mentored by Eminem and Dr. Dre, 50 Cent became one of the most well-known rap artists.

Matteo and Valentino are QueerSpawn

Watch out world - I thought I'd start profiling QueerSpawn that are bound to be famous. Meaning there parents are LGBT legends and notables. So my first are Matteo and Valentino Martin. The adorable twins of Ricky Martin.

Alexander Bernstein is a QueerSpawn

Alexander Bernstein is the son of Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre. He is gay composer, Leonard Bernstein's second child. He is president of The Bernstein Family Foundation, and founding chairman of The Leonard Bernstein Center For Learning. Prior to his full-time participation in the center, Bernstein taught for five years at the Packer-Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn, New York, first as a second grade teacher, then as a teacher of drama for the middle school. He has studied acting, performed professionally, and worked as a production associate at the ABC News Documentary Unit. Bernstein holds a master's degree in English education from New York University and a bachelor's degree from Harvard. He recently wrote a beautiful article about his father - on this 20th Anniversary of his death. Click the title of this blog to go to the article.

Jennifer Grant is a QueerSpawn

You may know her mother Dyan Cannon from TV shows like Ally McBeal, and her father is a legend in Hollywood. While Jennifer Grant may not embrace the queerspawn title – there is too much confirmation (even Betty White) out there not call her that. Her Dad – Cary Grant – had many wives and women in his life – but it is pretty clear he also had a great-romantic relationship with men too.

Jennifer is Cary Grant and Dyan Cannon’s only daughter, they divorced when she was two. Grant said that she was the best thing he ever made. Partly because her father did not want her to become an actress, she tried other things for several years. After graduating from Stanford University in 1987 with a degree in American Studies, she worked for a law firm, and followed that with a job as a chef.

But after her father’s death, the acting gene kicked in with her role on Beverly Hills 90210 as Celeste Lundy. She has also appeared in several other shows including, Friends, Walker Texas Ranger and CSI. Grant is divorced but recently gave birth to a son, Cary Benjamin in 2008.