TOPIC INDEX    		 LGBT PARENTING
    There is no evidence that children raised by a lesbian, gay, transgendered, or gender-variant parent have any greater chance of struggling with sexual or gender identity issues, or face any difficulties with their gender development. Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and the transgendered have always raised children. There are an estimated 14 million children throughout the country with LGBT parents. Although many of these children were born when their parents were in a heterosexual relationship, the last two decades has seen a sharp rise among gay people planning and forming families through adoption, foster care, donor insemination, surrogacy, and other reproductive technologies. In fact, some have described the current period as a lesbian and gay "baby boom."

    An important aspect of LGBT parenting concerns legal issues. In most states (and countries, for that matter), L, G, B, or T parenting couples do not have the same legal protection as heterosexual couples. Without these protections, we are often refused assistance when requesting donor insemination or adoption placements. Many of us are unaware of the lack of legal protection we have and do not know how to go about securing the protections we do have.

    It's important to be aware of the legal and social implications of coming out as a gay parent or building a family as a lesbian or gay couple. Here are some resources that can be very helpful.

    • Gay Parent Magazine
      A monthly newsprint magazine featuring personal stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) parents from across the country and around the world. (Gay Parent magazine - New York is published annually every May and focuses on LGBT families in the NY tri-state [NY, NJ and CT] area.)
    • The Proud Parenting Page
      Information for gay parents on sibjects like adoption, family & friends, foster care, insemination, legal & financial issues, news & politics, surrogacy, and travel & vacations.
    • Lesbian and Gay Parenting
      A publication for clinicians, researchers, students, lawyers, and parents involved in legal and policy issues related to lesbian and gay parenting.

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