My issue is that it's obviously political, and always only goes one way.

Correct.

I don't mind a creative liberty once in a while...

Oh, but you must. You can't give them an inch or they're take a mile. Remember, they went from "We just want to get married" to "CPS is here to take you kids because you don't support their transition." Look, you sound like someone who wants to presents themselves as "reasonable," and I get that. The problem is, bucko, that we're up against a very unreasonable, irrational enemy that is playing for keeps. Winner-take-all. They will not extend you the same "reasonable" manners. They want you to bend the knee, and nothing less will do.

Go read the Melian Dialogue. There's no place for "nice guys" like you in this fight, and it seems like you've noticed enough to know as much.