Gay families; no easy feat

ao0061 — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:23:33 +0000

Gay couples have constantly fought the battle for the right to gay marriage, and fighting the right to raise children can be just as difficult.
In 2004, according to an adoption by state list, only nine states have permitted gay couples to adopt. A few other states permit adoption with additional rules attached. Florida, Utah Michigan and Mississippi remain are the states that totally ban gay adoption.
In Florida during 1977, American singer Anita Bryant campaigned against same-sex rights law. She was able to get senators to ban same-sex adoption based on the claims that gays and lesbians were child molesters. Since then, the law has been challenged many times, but still remains on the books.
Along with Bryant’s claim, several state lawmakers have considered other concerns when it comes to same-sex adoption. Concerns over protecting the children from harassment from society and preventing them from becoming homosexual have blinded some lawmakers from evidence that proves otherwise.
A study from the American Academy of Pediatrics found that as far as gender identity issue in youths, the stats are nearly the same for children who grew up with homosexual parents or parent opposed to heterosexual parents or parent. The study also says that although children may be harassed because of their same-sex parents, their self esteem fares better when their parents have high self-esteem and maintain a responsible relationship.
“[The] literature…does not indicate that these children fare any worse [than those of heterosexual parents] in any area of psychological development or sexual identity formation,” said Psychiatrist Laurintine Fromm, of the Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital, in a National Adoption Information Clearinghouse article. “A parent’s capacity to be respectful and supportive of the child’s autonomy and to maintain her own intimate attachments far outweighs the influence of the parent’s sexual orientation alone.”
Due to several barriers and discrimination by some adoption agencies in America, some couples have chosen to adopt children overseas. Even that has its complications because many couples have to pretend they aren’t together to not conflict with international prejudices.
Although adoption remains the most popular choice for gay couples wanting children, gay persons wanting to create their own children can find themselves in a difficult situation as well.
Bry Lockwood, 26, from UK wants his own child. He research has uncovered some options, but at a steep price.
“I have researched into everything such as Egg donations, IVF, Surrogacy and everything that will be needed along the way and as it stands, it looks like its going to cost about £40,000 for me to have a child,” Bry said through his Facebook group.
No matter what route gay couples or singles decide to take to obtain a family of their won, the journey can be a tough one.

Hello world!

ao0061 — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 03:45:16 +0000

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!

Gay Parents

Gay families; no easy feat

Hello world!