B is (also) for Babies--Or, Gay and Lesbian Adoption

Well, B is also for Babies—as in Gay and Lesbian Adoption. According to the ACLU, “…more than 22 states to date have allowed lesbians and gay men to adopt children either through state-run or private adoption agencies.” That’s less than ½, but it’s a good start. However, “two states (Florida and New Hampshire) have laws that expressly bar lesbians and gay men from ever adopting children. In a notorious 1993 decision, a court in Virginia took away Sharon Bottoms' 2-year-old son simply because of her sexual orientation, and transferred custody to the boy's maternal grandmother. And Arkansas has just adopted a policy prohibiting lesbians, gay men, and those who live with them, from serving as foster parents.” Now, why are some people so against gay and lesbian adoption? Does this mean that someone might want to take my children away someday if I’m dating a woman?

If you’re dating someone of the same sex, it might cause your child to ask questions.

If I’m dating someone of the OPPOSITE sex, it will cause them to ask questions. Children are curious. They’ll ask you about everything

You might turn them gay.

Well, my parents were straight, and I still turned out bisexual. So how did that happen? Obviously, parents can’t “turn” someone straight or gay. Are you saying the only reason some people are straight is because their parents “turned” them straight?

You might molest them.

Hate to break it to you, but “Contrary to popular belief, most sexual abusers (perpetrators) of both girls and boys are heterosexual men. The percentage of gay men who are sexual abusers is much lower than that of straight men, and is likely close to that of female perpetrators (straight or lesbian).” (Georgia Association of Physicians for Human Rights) Molestation isn’t about love or desire, it’s about power over someone else—not unlike rape.

What do you know about good parenting? You’re gay. Children need a mother and a father.

Well, I had parents, and I’m ok. And there’s a reason Dr. Spock sold millions of books—not everyone is born with the “Mommy” gene. Not every single parent family ends up with dysfunctional children. Yes, children should have a male and female figure in their lives. That can be a brother/sister, a cousin, a friend…anyone who loves your child and plans to stick around to see them grow up.

There are good gay and lesbian parents, and I’m sure there are bad ones. Just like there are good heterosexual parents, and bad ones. But if someone wants the right to love a child, no one should stand in their way. Children are being left in Dumpsters, and we’re turning away potential parents?