What People Against Gay Adoptions Aren't telling...
The push against gay, lesbian, and same-sex couple adoption is more about
gay discrimination than child welfare. So, before you buy into the myths and
rhetoric that gay adoption poses an unsafe environment for children or that a
gay household is a "recruitment center" for young adults, the facts those against
same-sex adoption aren't telling you:
(or the parents aren't granted legal custody)?
gay discrimination than child welfare. So, before you buy into the myths and
rhetoric that gay adoption poses an unsafe environment for children or that a
gay household is a "recruitment center" for young adults, the facts those against
same-sex adoption aren't telling you:
- There are already thousands of children living in gay couple households. The 2000 U. S.
- Census reports 33% of female same-sex couple households and 22% of male same-sex
- couple households already have at least one child under the age of 18 living at home.
- According to the American Psychological Association Policy Statement on Sexual
- Orientation, Parents, & Children, "there is no reliable evidence that homosexual
- orientation per se impairs psychological functioning. Second, beliefs that lesbian and
- gay adults are not fit parents have no empirical foundation."
- The American Psychological Association also states "Research suggests that sexual
- identities (including gender identity, gender-role behavior, and sexual orientation) develop
- in much the same ways among children of lesbian mothers as they do among children of
- heterosexual parents"
- There is no conclusive evidence that homosexuality is linked to one's environment. In other words,
- growing up in a gay couple household will not "make" a child gay. Read Nature vs. Nurture:
- Born or Made Gay
- According to The Sydney Morning Herald, only 50,000 of the 120,000 children available
- for adoption in recent years have found homes yet groups against gay adoption seek
- to reduce
- the number of available homes based on false perception and unfounded evidence
- about gay parents.
(or the parents aren't granted legal custody)?
- By banning gay adoption, children in gay couple households have no legal status should something happen to the parents, including death or serious illness.
- Neither the parent or child has visitation rights if the parents separate.
- The child cannot claim inheritances or other household assets in case of death.
- If one parent dies, the second parent has no legal right to take custody or care for the child.
- A parent without legal right to a child cannot legally register him/her for school.
- Parents cannot put children on some health insurance plans.
- Parents cannot make medical decisions for the child.
- The child has no claim to the social security or other insurance benefits of the parent.
- Gay couple parents without adoption rights do not benefit from the generous tax deductions
By Ramon Johnson, About.com Guide
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