A MUM from Braintree has set up a group to connect with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents (LGBT) and their children.

Kirsty Lisney and her partner Kim Killick, of Porters Field, say they sometimes feel isolated when bringing up Rylan as they have no other gay parent friends.

Now five and a pupil at Shalford Primary School, Rylan has started to notice differences between his friends’ families and his own.

So far the group, Proud Families, has two families involved and is hoping to attract more members ready for Essex Pride in July. Miss Lisney, 27, said: “The whole idea is to be able to get together with other LGBT families because my fiveyear- old boy is starting to question things.

“He had a few weeks of being embarrassed at school and I thought it might be nice for him to meet other children in the same situation.

“One day I could sense that something was wrong and I asked him: ‘Do you feel different?’ and he said: ‘Yes, it’s a bit weird’.

“I’ve shown him pictures of my friends that have got married and both been in dresses, but he doesn’t see other families like us and he feels a bit out of place.

“I decided it was time he learnt he’s right, we’re not normal at all, we are fabulous, and he should meet other amazing families and children living in similar settings.

“I looked for LGBT parenting groups and there’s one in London and one in Brighton which are really big and popular. I thought we can’t be the only ones around Braintree, so I would set one up.”

Miss Lisney said a lot of people do not like talking about LGBT parenting, but the group is for all parents, whether they are single, married or prospective.

She added: “Rylan refers to Kim as his best friend, especially when other children come around and ask who she is and things like that.

“We haven’t really been involved in the gay community, so for him it does feel weird.

“Even if the group meets just just one day a month, the kids won’t feel so different for a few hours.”