In a wider public conversation often dominated by what still needs to change around equality, inclusion and representation, there are also deeply positive stories that reflect how lived experience is quietly reshaping expectations of family, faith and identity in modern Britain.
One such perspective comes from Jasvir Singh CBE, a British family law barrister, media commentator and co-founder of South Asian Heritage Month, who has spoken about becoming a father with his partner Nick Turner and the significance of sharing that journey publicly.
In an interview with Asian Voice, Singh described fatherhood in candid and emotional terms: “Becoming a father has been such an incredible experience.” He added that it is “exhausting and exhilarating, amazing and daunting,” capturing the universality of parenting while also acknowledging the distinct lens through which he experiences it.
While he stressed that “much as it is for all parents,” his experience as a married gay man brings additional social and cultural dimensions. “The fact that I am a married gay man adds a different perspective to it all,” he said, particularly when it comes to challenging assumptions about what parenthood is meant to look like.
Visibility, faith and authenticity
For Singh, parenthood is closely tied to visibility and authenticity. “Pride for me has always been about being visible as a queer man of faith and living my life authentically,” he said. He explained that becoming a parent has made that commitment even more important, especially in reshaping narratives around LGBTQ+ families.
Reflecting on his upbringing, he noted: “I didn’t have any South Asian gay role models when I was younger.” Yet despite that absence, he said, “I had faith that I would have a family of my own at some point,” a belief he now sees fulfilled “with Waheguruji’s grace” in his mid-40s.
Singh emphasised the importance of speaking publicly about his journey so that others can see what is possible. “It has been a long journey, but one that has been well worth the wait,” he said, adding that he understands “the need to talk publicly” so LGBTQ+ South Asians know “it is possible to raise a family without having to compromise their identity.”
Redefining what family looks like
He also spoke about the institutional realities that can sometimes exclude non-traditional families. “As a gay male couple, the main misconception we have encountered has been institutional,” he said, pointing to forms and documents that still frequently default to references to “mother.”
Despite this, he stressed that most public interactions have been positive. “The vast majority of people have been welcoming and accepting of us as a family,” he said, while also acknowledging that such encounters can be educational for others: “We will be the first gay family that they have met.”
At the heart of his reflections is his daughter, who he says is growing up in a nurturing environment. “What matters most is that our daughter is growing up surrounded by love, stability and happiness,” he said, describing this as the daily motivation behind their parenting.
Singh also reflected on the broader significance of visibility. “When I was growing up, I don’t remember seeing any openly gay parents navigating faith, family and public life,” he said, adding that living this reality now feels “both deeply personal and, in some ways, larger than me.”
Visibility as a force for change
For him, sharing this experience publicly is an act of representation. “It matters to share that joy publicly because representation still matters,” he said. He added that too many people still feel compelled “to hide parts of themselves in order to belong.”
Ultimately, Singh believes visibility can help expand possibilities for others. If his story shows that “it is possible to be a gay father, a Sikh, and fully yourself, and still live with love, dignity and purpose,” he said, then sharing it “feels important.”
At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are facing renewed challenges in parts of the world, he argues that representation remains essential. For Singh, being visible is not just personal—it is a way of ensuring that others can one day be seen more easily, and live more openly, than those who came before them.
