Tambry Young, 46, and Suzanne King, 49 - a couple for nearly 29 years - embody the struggle that lesbian and gay citizens of Hawaii are engaged in to protect their families.

Both Native Hawaiian, the couple has lived in Hawaii all of their lives. Although they share very similar beliefs regarding culture, Native Hawaiian issues, education and politics, just to name a few, they grew up with very different backgrounds.

Tambry was born and raised in Kalihi Valley, graduated from Farrington High School in 1981, and started working at the age of 14. For Tambry, high school was a struggle ... working took precedence over homework.

Suzanne, on the other hand, went to Punahou School from kindergarten, was a cheerleader and in the choir, and most of her activities and family life revolved around Punahou.

On March 7, 1981, Tambry and Suzanne embarked on a journey of discovery: one that has taken them through almost three decades of learning, loving, changing, compromising and growing with each other. From a time when being a lesbian was not something you discussed or talked about, to a time when they referred to each other as roommates, and then as lovers. They became other people's "token gay friends," and then "the gay couple with the daughter."

This last definition, which has been with them for the past ten years, has evolved into the most significant and meaningful, for now they are defined as Shylar's moms.

In November 2009, accompanied by their daughter, Shylar, they traveled to Massachusetts to marry. With Shylar as flower girl and maid of honor, Tambry and Suzanne affirmed their love for, and commitment to, each other and Shylar. As part of the ceremony they addressed Shylar and pledged "to respectfully honor your right to become the person you choose to be, and to be here as your parents whenever you need us."

Shylar's moms have sought the ideal educational community for her - a place where learning would excite her and where her family would be honored. In Shylar's school diverse families abound. There are kids with single parents, two dads, two moms or grandparents, uncles or aunties as guardians, or one mother and one father. All of these families are reflected in a diverse curriculum that encourages self-direction and exploration.

Children of GLBT families - and GLBT children - are part of the rainbow of Hawaii's families. Suzanne and Tambry hope that someday families like theirs wil feel at home in every island school. •