International medical authorities' position statements on same-sex parenting

Scientific research consistently shows that gay and lesbian parents are as fit and capable as heterosexual parents, and their children are as psychologically healthy and well-adjusted as those reared by heterosexual parents. Major associations of mental health professionals in the U.S., Canada, and Australia have not identified credible empirical research that suggests otherwise.

=Medical associations=

American Medical Association
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/about-ama/our-people/member-groups-sections/glbt-advisory-committee/ama-policy-regarding-sexual-orientation.page

"'Our American Medical Association: (1) recognizes that denying civil marriage based on sexual orientation is discriminatory and imposes harmful stigma on gay and lesbian individuals and couples and their families; (2) recognizes that exclusion from civil marriage contributes to health care disparities affecting same-sex households; (3) will work to reduce health care disparities among members of same-sex households including minor children; and (4) will support measures providing same-sex households with the same rights and privileges to health care, health insurance, and survivor benefits, as afforded opposite-sex households.'

'Our AMA will work to reduce the health disparities suffered because of unequal treatment of minor children and same sex parents in same sex households by supporting equality in laws affecting health care of members in same sex partner households and their dependent children.'"

American Academy of Pediatrics
https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/American-Academy-of-Pediatrics-Supports-Same-Gender-Civil-Marriage.aspx

"The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports civil marriage for same-gender couples – as well as full adoption and foster care rights for all parents, regardless of sexual orientation – as the best way to guarantee benefits and security for their children."

American Association of Family Physicians
http://teachtraining.org/resources/advocacy/SameGenderMarriage.pdf

"RESOLVED, That the AAFP support full legal equality for same-gender families to contribute to overall health and longevity, improved family stability and to benefit children of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) families."

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/professional-organizations-on-lgbt-parenting

"All decisions relating to custody and parental rights should rest on the interest of the child. There is no evidence to suggest or support that parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender are per se superior or inferior from or deficient in parenting skills, child-centered concerns, and parent-child attachments when compared with heterosexual parents. There is no credible evidence that shows that a parent's sexual orientation or gender identity will adversely affect the development of the child.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender individuals historically have faced more rigorous scrutiny than heterosexual people regarding their rights to be or become parents. The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry opposes any discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity against individuals in regard to their rights as custodial, foster, or adoptive parents."

American Psychological Association
http://www.apa.org/news/press/response/gay-parents.aspx

"On the basis of a remarkably consistent body of research on lesbian and gay parents and their children, the American Psychological Association (APA) and other health professional and scientific organizations have concluded that there is no scientific evidence that parenting effectiveness is related to parental sexual orientation. That is, lesbian and gay parents are as likely as heterosexual parents to provide supportive and healthy environments for their children. This body of research has shown that the adjustment, development and psychological well-being of children are unrelated to parental sexual orientation and that the children of lesbian and gay parents are as likely as those of heterosexual parents to flourish."

"On the basis of the research, APA continues to oppose any discrimination based on sexual orientation in matters of adoption, child custody and visitation, foster care, and reproductive health services."

World Association for Sexual Health
http://www.worldsexology.org/position-statement-co-adoption-of-children-by-same-sex-couples/

"Furthermore, no credible scientific evidence has been presented that demonstrates that same-sex couples are less able to provide necessary environments and appropriate parenting than heterosexual couples. Likewise, no credible evidence exists to suggest that sexual orientation is in any way associated with parenting skills.

The World Association for Sexual Health fully supports the ability of same-sex couples to co-adopt children under the same conditions as heterosexual couples."

=Other professional organisations=

Child Welfare League of America
http://www.cwla.org/position-statement-on-parenting-of-children-by-lesbian-gay-and-bisexual-adults/

"The Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) affirms that lesbian, gay, and bisexual parents are as well suited to raise children as their heterosexual counterparts."

American Psychoanalytic Association
http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/professional-organizations-on-lgbt-parenting

"The American Psychoanalytic Association supports the position that the salient consideration in decisions about parenting, including conception, child rearing, adoption, visitation and custody is the best interest of the child. Accumulated evidence suggests the best interest of the child requires attachment to committed, nurturing and competent parents. Evaluation of an individual or couple for these parental qualities should be determined without prejudice regarding sexual orientation. Gay and lesbian individuals and couples are capable of meeting the best interest of the child and should be afforded the same rights and should accept the same responsibilities as heterosexual parents. With the adoption of this position statement, we support research studies that further our understanding of the impact of both traditional and gay/lesbian parenting on a child's development."

National Adoption Center (USA)
http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/professional-organizations-on-lgbt-parenting

"We believe that every child has the right to a loving, nurturing and permanent family, and that people from a variety of life experiences offer strengths for these children.

Therefore, it is the policy of the National Adoption Center that no person should be denied consideration in the adoption process solely based on marital status, sexual orientation, lifestyle, disability, physical appearance, race, gender, age, religion and/or size of family."

National Association of Social Workers (USA)
http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/professional-organizations-on-lgbt-parenting

"Legislation legitimizing second-parent adoptions in same-sex households should be supported. Legislation seeking to restrict foster care and adoption by gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people should be vigorously opposed."

North American Council on Adoptable Children
http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/professional-organizations-on-lgbt-parenting

"Children should not be denied a permanent family because of the sexual orientation of potential parents. Everyone with the potential to successfully parent a child in foster care or adoption is entitled to fair and equal consideration."

Voice for Adoption (USA)
http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/professional-organizations-on-lgbt-parenting

"Voice for Adoption believes that children deserve every opportunity to have a permanent, loving family, and that ruling out prospective parents through discrimination limits children's options for permanency.

We oppose policies and practices that discriminate against prospective parents, including but not limited to discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, family size, disability, medical condition, geographic location, employment status, occupation (including employment in the child welfare system), and educational attainment."

American Bar Association
http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/professional-organizations-on-lgbt-parenting

"RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association supports state and territorial laws and court decisions that permit the establishment of legal parent-child relationships through joint adoptions and second-parent adoptions by unmarried persons who are functioning as a child's parents when such adoptions are in the best interests of the child."

=See also=


 * International medical authorities' position statements on homosexuality

=References=


 * Child Welfare League of America, "Position Statement on Parenting of Children by Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults".
 * American Psychological Association, "APA on Children Raised by Gay and Lesbian Parents".
 * American Academy of Pediatrics, "American Academy of Pediatrics Supports Same Gender Civil Marriage", 21 March 2013.
 * American Medical Association, "AMA Policies on LGBT Issues".
 * American Association of Family Physicians, "Equality for same gender families".
 * "Professional Organizations on LGBT Parenting", Human Rights Campaign.
 * Catherine Pearson, "AAP Says Same-Sex Marriage In Kids' Best Interests", Huffington Post, 21 March 2013.

=Acknowledgements=

This article was written by Roy Tan.