Abstract
The relationships between straight and "new" parents and gay children undergo complex social and psychological processes that lie mostly beyond their immediate emotional and social controls. This paper examines those processes, relevant theories of explaining those processes, and the positions of straight parents and gay kids in the processes.

Tags:straight, parents, gay

Abstract
The paper describes how homosexual-parent families are very much a part of society. The writer argues that there are many misconceptions about these families, but through examining professional literature and looking at the facts, those misconceptions are debunked. The writer proposes that gay and lesbian parents are no different from heterosexual parents in their commitment and ability to raise healthy, well-adjusted children. The writer concludes that accepting the presence of gay and lesbian parents and providing them with the rights and support they need will be a big step towards improving the well-being of these parents and the children that they raise.

From the Paper
"The American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association does not recognize homosexuality as a mental disorder, and urge all mental health professionals to counter "the stigma of mental illness that had long been associated with homosexual orientation" (American Psychological Association 2005). Likewise, it has not been shown that gays become bad parents due to a lack of parenting skills or a lack of time. Because gender roles are not clear-cut in homosexual relationships, gays and lesbians are actually able to divide household and family labor relatively evenly, and report higher levels of domestic satisfaction (Johnson and O'Connor 2002)."

Tags:bisexual, children, families, gay, lesbian, parenting, transgender

Abstract
This is a six page paper going into this issue of gay parenting. Despite all of the hostility towards same sex coupling and marriage, it shows that homosexual and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community members have kids and raise them successfully to be strong, proud members of their communities.

From the Paper
"Abigail Garner was five years old when her parents divorced and her father told her that he was, in fact, a homosexual man. Garner talks about how this changed her identity, first making her confused but then, with an increased understanding of her father and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community. Now, she speaks out as an advocate to LGBT rights and is proud of her upbringing, feeling that it made her into a stronger, more unique person who became closer to her parents and acquired a stronger understanding of her own identity. And Abigail Garner is not unique: according to the 2000 U.S. Census,..."

Tags:gay, sociology, parenting

Abstract
This paper explains that the number of children adopted by gay men and lesbian parents has increased as more state laws have relaxed the prohibition on these types of adoptions and as more social workers and agencies now are willing to accommodate and intervene for them. The author points out that this changing trend has lead to critical concerns about sexual orientation, the probability of molestation, teasing and harassment of the child, which have created a dilemma for the social workers between the need for adoptive families and the principles of his or her profession. The paper relates that research suggests that the adopted children of gay and lesbian parents develop normal or straight relationships with their peers and satisfying relationships with adults of both sexes; therefore, social workers should support this type of adoption as guided by their professional code of ethics.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
History of Adoption
Reasons for Accepting Adoption by Gay or Lesbian Parents
Issues and Concerns
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The revolutions of the 1960s and 1970s further influenced and modified adoption practices. These revolutions were the women's liberation, civil rights movement, sexual revolution, the adoptee's liberty movement, and the birth fathers' rights, birth control, legalized abortion and a dominant single parenthood culture. One consequence was that social workers were encouraged to adjust their role as educators for adoptive parents in helping them recognize and cope with raising adopted children as against raising natural children. Adoptive parents now demand more information on the child they take and whose future is entrusted to them."

Tags:same-sex, second, parent, code, reseach, laws

Abstract
This paper takes a look at each of the psycho-social aspects of development in children and discusses whether these developmental aspects are negatively impacted when a child is raised by gay or lesbian parents. The paper concludes from the literature reviewed that children raised by homosexual parents develop emotionally, socially, and psychologically, in much the same way as children raised by heterosexual parents.

Children of Lesbian and Gay Parents
Sexual Identity
Other Aspects of Personal Development
Social Relationships
Attitudes toward Gay and Lesbian Adoptions

From the Paper
"In studies of children ranging in age from 5 to 14, results of projective testing and related interview procedures have revealed normal development of gender identity among children of lesbian mothers. More direct assessment techniques to assess gender identity have been used with the same result; all children in this study reported that they were happy with their gender, and that they had no wish to be a member of the opposite sex. There was no evidence in any of the studies of gender identity difficulties among children of lesbian mothers."

Tags:orientation, parenting, families, healthy, offspring, home, environment, fathers, disturbances

Abstract
This paper discusses the controversy over whether children being raised in gay or lesbian families are being raised in healthy environments or not. It also discusses the questions of whether a child living in a gay or lesbian household will make the child homosexual. The paper examines the research that has been done on this topic and concludes that is limited and inconclusive.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
What is Family?
The Literature
The Research
My Research Design: Observation and Participation
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The Family Research Council claims to have statistical values by those with a Ph.D. However the data collected seems faulty and slanted towards the results they want. For example, a particular article claiming that homosexual behavior is linked directly to child sexual abuse, the numbers shown are directly correlated to only those who committed the offenses. There is absolutely no data of the number of same-sex couples who have children within their house and no abuse is reported. Granted there is absolutely no way to positively tell that abuse is taking place. But to assume that because a certain percentage of pedophiles are homosexuals, it's impossible to conclude as a scientific fact that all homosexuals are pedophiles."

Tags:parenting, same-sex, homosexual

Abstract
This paper explains that the opponents of rights for gays and lesbians claim that gays and lesbians are not merely unsuitable as potential adoptive parents but also entirely immoral. The author underscores that, overwhelmingly, the opposition to adoption by gays and lesbians is based on religious arguments. The paper relates that, although opponents of homosexual adoption have long tried to make a case that a child raised by a homosexual couple is at greater risk than a child raised by "straight" parents, serious research to support this is virtually non-existent. The author stresses that there is overwhelming scientific support, from such authorities as the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, that gays are entirely suitable as adoptive parents.

From the Paper
"Despite these studies, there are bitter opponents of gay adoption, and it is notable that a tiny group of people remain dedicated to the idea that there is a "scientific" basis for opposition to gay adoption. One of the most credentialed opponents of gay adoption is Lynn Wardle, a professor of law at the Brigham Young University Law School. Wardle has been most vocal in custody disputes, in which he contends if a biological parent is found to be gay, this creates a rebuttable presumption that the parent is unfit and should therefore by denied custody."

Tags:religious, scientific, custody, development, research

Abstract
The paper discusses the arguments against allowing gay and lesbian couples to adopt, that are based primarily on religious reasons and on the contention that growing up under two same sex parents will be damaging to the natural psychological and biological development of the child. The paper then presents research that children can lead normal and healthy lives without the every day influence of both genders working together and they can thrive without a heterosexual environment. The paper also notes the benefits of adoption for the couple to achieve a relatively normal family life. The paper strongly contends that gay and lesbian couples can offer millions of orphaned children the luxury of a happy home and truly caring parents.

From the Paper
"The process and statutes involved in same sex adoption policies vary greatly from state to state as well as within the minds and opinions of Americans across the country. Before a major taboo, the practice has become more common with less state restrictions across the United States. In cases where the states allow legal marriage between same sex partners, adoption laws are easier for same sex couples. Being legally married provides benefits within the adoption process that help the couple beyond the simple civil unions seen in other states where same sex marriage is not yet a legal practice; "The legal definition of marriage does not exist in isolation; changing it alters many areas of the law. For example, the definition of marriage plays an important role in the law of adoption, education, employee benefits, employment discrimination, government contracts and subsidies, taxation, tort law, and trusts and estates," (Severino 2007:941). Thus, states such as Vermont, where gay marriage is a legal practice, allow for an easier process during a gay or lesbian couple's path towards adoption. However, this does not prohibit all gay and lesbian couples living in states with legal restrictions on same sex marriage from adopting as well, the process is just made more complicated."

Tags:gender, same-sex, marriage, religion

Abstract
This paper discusses the Florida ban on gay adoption, as well as other legal and ethical aspects of same sex parenting. The paper explores the question of whether children brought up by gay parents are at a disadvantage in any way and uses professional research to back up the findings.

From the Paper
"Despite the number of laws passed or the numerous movies or television shows that support gay rights, the negative conations associated with same-sex parent adoption continue to taint both attitudes and laws. Society is still laden with negative biases against homosexual adoption, and against gays in general (Johnson, et al., 1995) which severely limits their rights as people and as parents."

Tags:donnell, homosexual, rosie, lesbian, American, Academy, of, Pediatrics

Abstract
This paper presents a report on research carried out together with literature reviews on the subject of gay marriage. The paper also presents an analysis relating to the gay individual, political and societal factors, and finally the factors of illegality and the impact upon children of these gay parents. This study finds that the issue of gay marriage is a highly charged emotional and religious issue and that governance of marriage between gay individuals should merely be in the form of ensuring no discrimination exists toward these individuals either in their right to marry or in any other or different form of discrimination.

From the Paper
"The issue of gay marriage has been viewed both historically and traditionally, to be non-existent and completely unacknowledged. This specifically includes aspects of marital rights and touches upon various other individual rights throughout the network of the impact that being gay and married has on the individual in society. It is the view of this writer that it is possible, and indeed likely, to discriminate against someone by failing to acknowledge them insofar as their right to choose their own marital partner. Gay marriage has been like the elephant in the room that no one wanted to talk about however, because the rights of the individual are at issue, the status assigned to gay marriage by economics and political factors should be the same status assigned to any other individual in the society with the same inherent rights."

Tags:qualitative, discriminate, individuals