1. LGBT Families Research Issues And Important Questions

2. Big Issues Framing Our Interest Prior Heterosexual Relationship Prior Heterosexual Relationship Adoption Adoption Foster Parenting Foster Parenting Biologic Parenting Biologic Parenting “The Old-Fashioned Way” “The Old-Fashioned Way” Donor Insemination Donor Insemination Ovum Donation Ovum Donation Surrogacy Surrogacy Lesbian and Gay Parenting Options

3. Big Issues Framing Our Interest Data Issues Small Sample Sizes Small Sample Sizes Snowball Sampling Is Common Snowball Sampling Is Common Comparison Groups Comparison Groups Generalizability Of Findings Generalizability Of Findings Data Is Defensive Or “Deficit” Related Data Is Defensive Or “Deficit” Related

4. Big Issues Framing Our Interest Beliefs About Lesbian and Gay Parents Parents Are Mentally Ill Parents Are Mentally Ill Lesbians Are Less Maternal Lesbians Are Less Maternal Lesbian/Gay Parents Will Molest Children Lesbian/Gay Parents Will Molest Children Non-Attentive Parenting Non-Attentive Parenting Children Suffer From Lack Of Paternal/Maternal Influences Children Suffer From Lack Of Paternal/Maternal Influences “The common law designates homosexuality as an inherent evil, and if a person openly engages in such a practice, that fact alone would render him or her an unfit parent. Homosexual conduct is, and has been, considered abhorrent, immoral, detestable, a crime against nature, and a violation of the laws of nature and of nature’s God.” (Judge Roy Moore, AL supreme court chief justice) “The common law designates homosexuality as an inherent evil, and if a person openly engages in such a practice, that fact alone would render him or her an unfit parent. Homosexual conduct is, and has been, considered abhorrent, immoral, detestable, a crime against nature, and a violation of the laws of nature and of nature’s God.” (Judge Roy Moore, AL supreme court chief justice)

5. Gay and Lesbian Parents Lesbians Are “Normal” Lesbians Are “Normal” Self esteem and psychological adjustment Self esteem and psychological adjustment Attitudes toward child-rearing, responses to child behavior Attitudes toward child-rearing, responses to child behavior Kids Have More Contact With Biological Fathers Than Kids Of Divorce Kids Have More Contact With Biological Fathers Than Kids Of Divorce Gay and Heterosexual Dads Both Nurturance and Invest Time In Kids Gay and Heterosexual Dads Both Nurturance and Invest Time In Kids There Are Higher Levels Of “Synchronicity” In Parenting There Are Higher Levels Of “Synchronicity” In Parenting Parent-Child Interactions Parent-Child Interactions No differences between lesbian biological mothers and either hetero biological or step- mothers No differences between lesbian biological mothers and either hetero biological or step- mothers Lesbian step-mothers score higher than either biological or step- fathers Lesbian step-mothers score higher than either biological or step- fathers

6. Big Issues Framing Our Interest Beliefs About Children Of Lesbian And Gay Parents They’ll Have Problems With Gender Identity They’ll Have Problems With Gender Identity They Won’t Have “Appropriate” Gender Role Behavior They Won’t Have “Appropriate” Gender Role Behavior They Will “Turn” Gay or Lesbian They Will “Turn” Gay or Lesbian They’ll Have Difficult Peer Relationships They’ll Have Difficult Peer Relationships

7. Kids Of Gay and Lesbian Parents Gender Identity Gender Identity More than 500 kids in studies More than 500 kids in studies None of them have gender identity confusion None of them have gender identity confusion Gender Roles Gender Roles Overall, no significant gender role differences between the two. Overall, no significant gender role differences between the two. No self-reported differences in mothers encouraging sex-role traits or behaviors in kids No self-reported differences in mothers encouraging sex-role traits or behaviors in kids Boys: rate selves as conventionally masculine and higher on “awareness of others’ feelings” and “gentleness” Boys: rate selves as conventionally masculine and higher on “awareness of others’ feelings” and “gentleness” Girls: rate selves as conventionally feminine and higher on “adventuresomeness” and “likes to be a leader” Girls: rate selves as conventionally feminine and higher on “adventuresomeness” and “likes to be a leader”

8. Kids Of Gay and Lesbian Parents Sexual Orientation Sexual Orientation No studies have reported significantly high rates of homosexual orientation in kids No studies have reported significantly high rates of homosexual orientation in kids In one study, daughters more likely than sons to consider a same sex relationship and to have had a homoerotic relationship In one study, daughters more likely than sons to consider a same sex relationship and to have had a homoerotic relationship Peer Relationships And Psychosocial Development Peer Relationships And Psychosocial Development Adult children do report more teasing about their sexuality as kids Adult children do report more teasing about their sexuality as kids No differences in intelligence, type or prevalence of psychiatric disorders, self-esteem, well-being, peer relationships, couple relationships, or parental stress. No differences in intelligence, type or prevalence of psychiatric disorders, self-esteem, well-being, peer relationships, couple relationships, or parental stress.