To the couple in the back, Dom and Jah. DadsTimesTwothe morning they learned of their Webby Award nominations, they didn’t start off with a celebration. It started with disbelief.
“We just sat there and looked at each other,” they said. “Wait…is this true?”
The pair, who have built a growing online community by documenting their journey to parenthood through surrogacy, are now nominated in the ‘Children and Parenting’ category. What started as a way to share answers they couldn’t easily find has evolved into a platform that resonates far beyond their own stories.
From questions to community
When Dom and Jah first explored surrogacy, they found themselves navigating a maze with few clear guideposts. They did not personally know anyone who had gone through this process and felt that reliable information was scattered or incomplete.
So they started documenting everything.
What started as a small digital diary quickly gained attention. their account, DadsTimesTwohas become a resource not only for gay couples but also for those facing fertility issues or considering alternative paths to parenthood.
That openness is the foundation of their online voice, which is honest, direct, and based on real-life experiences.
Parent-child relationship, reconstruction
Surrogacy didn’t just shape their journey to parenthood; It has affected how they appear both offline and online.
They say the process required patience and trust every step of the way. That perspective was reflected in how they approached raising their family and sharing it publicly. They are intentional about what they post, choosing moments that reflect both joy and reality.
This balance helps build trust with viewers. In the early days, this effort was met with curiosity and sometimes criticism. Over time, that changed. What once felt like a comments section has become more like a support network.
Followers now share their milestones, ask questions, and connect with others in similar situations. Comment threads read more like conversations than reactions.
Why visibility still matters
Despite increasing representation of LGBTQ+ parents across media, they remain underrepresented in many traditional parenting spaces. Doms and Gels are aware of the gap because they have experienced it firsthand.
“Representation helps normalize it,” they explained. “It shows kids that their family is just as valid.”
That visualization feels especially urgent now. They point out that while progress is being made, there are moments when that progress feels fragile. Their response is simple. “Keep showing up.”
By sharing their daily lives, they are contributing to a broader cultural shift so that families like theirs are seen as part of the norm rather than the exception.
Turn nomination into movement
Now in Webby’s public voting phase, Dom and Jah are relying on the very community they helped build. Their approach was not flashy. Instead, they focused on transparency, sharing what the nominations meant to them and inviting their audience to be a part of it.
The response was great. Support from platforms like Gays With Kids and Gay Family Values helped expand their reach, and followers rallied with votes and shares.
They are also realistic about competition. They are working on a smaller platform compared to other candidates. This contrast makes the support feel even more important.
More than a trophy
For Dom and Gel, winning is meaningful, but it’s not just the honor itself.
“It will show that these stories matter,” they said.
Recognition at that level would show that LGBTQ+ families belong in the mainstream parenting conversation, not as a niche topic, but as part of a broader narrative.
The same goes for access. Increased visibility paves the way for future creators and makes it easier for others to share their stories without having to start from scratch.
Looking to the future
The couple’s momentum is not slowing down. Rather, the appointment reinforced their long-term goals.
They want to expand their platform beyond storytelling. That could include creating resources for aspiring parents and launching initiatives to offset financial barriers to starting a family.
At their core, their mission remains the same. It’s about making the process less isolating for others.
My advice to those just starting their own journey is simple. Don’t let uncertainty stop you.
“There’s more help out there than you think,” they said. “And your story can have a bigger impact than you think.”
Want to support Dom and Jah? Vote for DadsTimesTwo at the Webby Awards here.
Source: Gayety – gayety.com
