By Jollyrancher3590 (17, Illinois)
How Many Children Have Gay Parents in the US?
There were an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 gay and lesbian biological parents in 1976. In 1990, between 8 and 10 million children were being raised in a gay and lesbian household; an estimated 6 to 14 million children have a gay or lesbian parent.
What are the effects on children of having gay or lesbian parents?
It is extremely hard to say one way or the other, because almost all of the surveys have been completed by gay/lesbian advocacy groups or by religious or conservative organizations.
Florida is the only state that completely bans gay adoptions, but they do allow gays to be foster parents.
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia are discussing the issue or considering banning gay adoptions.
Only recently have gay parents begun openly adopting children, instead of lying about it by claiming one partner is a roommate or friend. Generally, one parent adopts and then their partner applies to be the second parent. Second parent adoptions are accepted in twenty-one states and Washington D.C. Only four states, Vermont, New Jersey, Massachusetts and California permit same sex couple adoption where both parents adopt the child at the same time.
There are three types of adoption agencies:
Public Agency Adoption: The state decides whether it is okay for the child to be placed in a gay/lesbian parent household.
Independent Adoption: This type of adoption is done through someone other than an agency or social worker, i.e., a doctor or attorney. This type is illegal in many states.
International Adoption: The foreign country decides whether it is ok for the child to be placed in a gay/lesbian parent household. Many countries are not ok with gay/lesbian adoption.
• "That's So Gay"
• Life for a Gay Teen in America
