Srivatsan and Saravanan’s journey to parenthood began with a shared dream — one of love, acceptance, and creating a family together. They faced many challenges along the way, but nothing could stand in their way of building the life they had always imagined.

Growing up in Chennai, Srivatsan knew he was different. “I couldn’t relate to the boys in my class and over time, I understood that I was gay,” he recalls. However, in a time before LGBTQ+ communities were visible in India, Srivatsan had no one to turn to for guidance.

The first time Srivatsan shared his sexuality with someone, it ended in betrayal. His father’s friend, whom he trusted, broke his confidence and revealed the truth to his parents, setting off a chain of turmoil.

This led to his father, a priest, attempting to “cure” him through conversion therapy, which included sending him away to undergo religious rituals and activities.

Despite his desire to please his parents, Srivatsan’s internal conflict only deepened. He even tried to marry a girl to meet their expectations, but it became clear that sacrificing his happiness was unsustainable. His mental health began to deteriorate, and he reached a breaking point.

At 26, Srivatsan moved to Singapore. There, he found the support and space to embrace his true self. For the first time, he felt free to love himself and began to heal from his past traumas.

It was in Singapore that Srivatsan met Saravanan through a dating site. While Saravanan quickly fell in love, Srivatsan took time to realise that he had found “the one”.

In 2018, Srivatsan and Saravanan moved to Canada and got married. For Srivatsan, their wedding was an emotional moment as his mother walked him down the aisle, finally accepting him for who he was.

After settling into their married life adopting two dogs, Srivatsan and Saravanan decided to expand their family by adopting a child. They learned of an unexpected pregnancy from a relative in India and chose to adopt her child — a decision that would lead them to their son, Sendhan.

The adoption process was not easy. Since same-sex marriage is not legal in India, they had to go through the Canadian legal system to adopt Sendhan. 

As their son was an Indian citizen, they encountered complex bureaucratic hurdles that required many lawyers and over a year of paperwork.

In 2022, after months of waiting, Sendhan joined the family just before his fifth birthday. The transition was challenging for him as he adjusted to a new country, language, and culture, but his fathers were there to guide him through it all.

For Srivatsan and Saravanan, being parents to Sendhan has been the most rewarding experience. They cherish every moment, from helping him adjust to his new life in a predominantly white neighbourhood to enjoying simple joys like playing with toys and watching him grow.

“Your life is worth living and your happiness is worth being pursued,” says Srivatsan. He urges others to find safe spaces, seek support, and live authentically — no matter the challenges.