Gay and Lesbian Parenting
From Encyclopedia of Sex and Sexuality
Gay men and lesbians have been parents throughout history, mainly to children raised within the context of heterosexual marriages. While feeling genuine affection for their spouses, they often entered these unions with the hope of hiding or changing their sexuality and in order to provide a traditional context in which to raise children. However, a new phenomenon has emerged: gay men and lesbians are now establishing families and raising children within the context of same-sex relationships or as single parents. This phenomenon began in the lesbian community in the mid–1970s and has become so widespread that it has become known as the “lesbian baby boom.” Lesbians can adopt children or become pregnant via artificial insemination. Some utilize sperm banks, but often they arrange for a partner’s male relative or for a gay male friend to be a sperm donor. Gay men usually find children through adoption, though they sometimes enter into coparenting arrangements with lesbians for whom they have been the sperm donors. They will occasionally enter into a formal or informal contract with a surrogate mother. This “new breed” of gay fathers has grown dramatically since the late 1980s, and many young gay men today are expressing an interest in fatherhood.
Gay and lesbian parenthood challenges our society’s fears and stereotypes about relationships between homosexuals and children. However, all of the scientific research to date suggests that these stereotypes are no more than myths. Studies indicate that there are no observable differences between the children of lesbian and heterosexual mothers in terms of overall psychological development, gender identity, gender role behavior, or sexual orientation. Research about gay fathers indicates that they do not sexually abuse their children nor do they produce a disproportionate number of homosexual offspring. Furthermore, there do not appear to be significant differences in the child-rearing practices of gay and heterosexual fathers. Nevertheless, because they challenge conventional views of what constitutes a healthy family, lesbian- and gay-headed families will often encounter misunderstanding and prejudice.
