Divorce is by a horrible thing, especially for children. Even if it is necessary, it declares that at least one partner failed to uphold their vows. But, for Tuesday’s edition of Good Morning America on ABC, one couple’s divorce was cause for a Pride Month celebration, for allowing one gay man to come “to terms with his identity.”
Host Robin Roberts kicked things off, “Now to our GMA out loud. Our ongoing pride coverage in the month of June. We are taking a look at modern families and the ways that those in the LGBTQ+ community adapt. Becky Worley talked to a blended family in Boise, Idaho, where after one parent came out they leaned on love to make it all work.”
Before launching into the pre-recorded part of the segment, Worley teased, “Divorce, kids, custody then remarriage, oh, boy. Add in that one ex just figured out that he's gay and factor in that all of them are Mormon, it could be really rough. But as this one family from Boise, Idaho, told me, nope, you just love people no matter what.”
The video then began, “Meet Penny, her mom Jessica [Frew], her stepdad Matt [Frew], and her biological dad Steve [Stoddard]. After Penny was born Steve, who was raised Mormon, finally came to terms with his identity.”
Jessica provided GMA an opportunity to say this divorce isn’t bad at all, “It felt like Steve exploring and figuring out who he was and I made a very clear point in my head to not let it become a thing of betrayal. I—I-- knew it wasn't about me.”
Worley then reported that Stoddard and Jessica divorced and that Jessica helped him through some dark times in his life. She then reported that, “Jessica remarried Matt who wasn't initially sure go having his new wife's ex around so much and Steve and his boyfriend now celebrate events with the family.”
Matt then explained how he came to terms with and ultimately embraced having Stoddard around.
As for child Penny, Worley asked her, “I know your dad was worried about you when he was making this decision. And are you okay with everything right now?”
Of course, Penny wasn’t going to trash her parents on national television, nor would GMA allow for such a narrative-disrupting answer. Still, she answered, “Yeah, it just seems normal.”
Back in studio, Worley promoted the family’s “podcast called Husband In Law where they talk about their unique situation” and was once again “Jessica and her new husband Matt remain active in the Mormon church and Jessica says it's a part of her service to others to show family situations that aren't typical and shine a light on the fact that it can all work out with lots of communication, acceptance and, Robin, an abundance of love.”
Roberts wrapped things with, “L-o-v-e, love. Becky, thank you so much. Very happy for them.”
More like using a child as a shield against charges of selfishness.
This segment was sponsored by Geico.
Here is a transcript for the June 21 show:
ABC Good Morning America
6/21/2022
8:17 AM ET
ROBIN ROBERTS: Now to our GMA out loud. Our ongoing pride coverage in the month of June. We are taking a look at modern families and the ways that those in the LGBTQ+ community adapt. Becky Worley talked to a blended family in Boise, Idaho, where after one parent came out they leaned on love to make it all work. Good morning, again, Becky.
BECKY WORLEY: Robin, good morning. Divorce, kids, custody then remarriage, oh, boy. Add in that one ex just figured out that he's gay and factor in that all of them are Mormon, it could be really rough. But as this one family from Boise, Idaho, told me, nope, you just love people no matter what.
Meet Penny, her mom Jessica, her stepdad Matt, and her biological dad Steve. After Penny was born Steve, who was raised Mormon, finally came to terms with his identity.
STEVE STODDARD: I didn't want to be gay and it took me a long time to admit to myself and to her that, yes, I'm gay.
JESSICA FREW: So, about two years into our marriage is when he finally came out to me and started embracing that side of himself.
WORLEY: Did that ever feel like betrayal to you?
JESSICA FREW: It felt like Steve exploring and figuring out who he was and I made a very clear point in my head to not let it become a thing of betrayal. I—I-- knew it wasn't about me.
WORLEY: He and Jessica divorced and then Steve had to figure out being a gay man and a parent.
STODDARD: There was a time where I was convinced that Penny would be better off with no dad than with a gay dad and I really went through a dark phase for a couple of years there where I was suicidal and really struggled with just seeing the value in me being able to live a natural life that I had been taught was so wrong and that was worse than death itself.
WORLEY: But one ally through the process was his ex-wife, supporting him emotionally, always inviting him to events and making sure Penny was a part of his life.
WORLEY: Where did you find the grace to have that approach?
JESSICA FREW: I've always had an innate gift to just kind of love myself and embrace who I was created to be and I feel like when you do that, you're able to help other people do that along the way too and recognize that the things that they are going through has nothing to do with you personally.
WORLEY: Then Jessica remarried Matt who wasn't initially sure go having his new wife's ex around so much and Steve and his boyfriend now celebrate events with the family.
MATT FREW: At the beginning it was hard to adjust to figuring out, okay, this—this-- man is going to be part of these types of functions so I better figure out how to get used to this. Now it's like where’s Steve, when’s Steve coming? It's like why is he so late? Can we start now?
WORLEY: And they all try to communicate as a group when it comes to Penny. And about Penny.
I know your dad was worried about you when he was making this decision. And are you okay with everything right now?
PENNY FREW: Yeah, it just seems normal.
WORLEY: The family has a podcast called Husband In Law where they talk about their unique situation. Jessica and her new husband Matt remain active in the Mormon church and Jessica says it's a part of her service to others to show family situations that aren't typical and shine a light on the fact that it can all work out with lots of communication, acceptance and, Robin, an abundance of love.
ROBERTS: L-o-v-e, love. Becky, thank you so much. Very happy for them.
