By Imani Williams
DETROIT – Kimya Ayodele, 35, came out publicly when her eight year old daughter was two. She and her life partner, Michelle Anderson, are co-parenting eight year old Abeni. Now, Ayodele wants to bring lesbian mothers of color together to discuss issues and concerns around parenting.
Since coming out as a lesbian mother who is also African-American, Ayodele's passion has been increasing the awareness and activities for this often-marginalized group. She developed the idea of the Karibu House Kid's Fair at Detroit Black Gay Pride's 'Hotter than July!' annual picnic after attending the picnic and recognizing that there were many women present with their children, and there were no planned activities for them. The "Kid's Fair" has been an annual event for the past five years.
"I am often consulted for advice both professionally and personally on important issues such as when to come out to your children," said Ayodele. She has a goal of registering 100 African-American lesbian mothers of varying ages and backgrounds in and around the Detroit area and conducting a study to help determine what services these mothers are looking for. The group will serve as a support group and a networking system for services such as baby-sitting, child care and family based activities.
For the purpose of this group, a mother is being defined as a woman who is the birth, step, foster, adoptive or co-mother of a child at or under the age of 18, who currently live with them in the home. Ayodele says that the group also needs a name. Suggestions? Call 313-590-5397. There are no registration fees or membership dues to participate.
