Celebrating Gay Parents
July 09, 2010
With Gay Pride on the way, Jennifer Chrisler, the executive of the American Family Equality Council has called for celebration of gay parents, the unsung heroes of the gay equality movement.
LGBT people, like their heterosexual counterparts, pursue life, happiness, love, to work without fear of being fired, health benefits and the desire to create their own family. But when it comes to same sex partners wanting to start their own families, the fight intensifies and those few who do decide to take the brave step, face discrimination and have to put up with so much more, not only for themselves but also for their children.
The number of LGBT parents in the UK is ever increasing, due to the 2007 UK Gay Adoption Law that created a level playing ground for all those wanting to adopt children. The exact same sex adoption and parenting figures are however unfortunately not available. But one thing is for certain: good parents are good parents, no matter what their sexuality.
Chrisler pointed out that as a mother herself, her two sons, like many others work hard in school, participate in extracurricular activities, like reading Harry Potter, love playing with Lego’s, have to clear the dinner table and at times have to be reminded of their manners. Sound out of the ordinary? Quite the contrary, as it seems from this, that LGBT families have quite a lot in common with traditional familes.
LGBT parents are judged many a time only on their sexuality and not on their parenting skills and their ability of taking care of their children. This then the reason why adoption agencies are to solely judge parents on their ability to be partents, something society is still lacking.
LGBT parents have to endure the scrutiny of many and are in the spotlight and under the magnifying glass in such a way, as many eagerly await their first slip up, just to attribute their failure to their sexuality.
A recent 17 year US research study however revealed that children raised by lesbian parents do better academically, are more confident than their peers and have fewer behavioral problems. This is a direct testimonial to those who dare to parent.
Image source: Kurt Löwenstein Educational Center International Team
