This document summarizes arguments for and against gay parenting. It notes that as many as 13 million children currently live with a gay or lesbian parent. Research suggests that children of gay parents differ only minimally from those of heterosexual parents and may be more tolerant. However, some argue that children are better off with married, heterosexual parents and risk exposure to a "homosexual lifestyle." The document acknowledges methodological flaws in some studies and calls for more longitudinal research on diverse family arrangements and the support networks around them.

1. Gay Parenting An argumentative Presentation by Brian Hardison

2. Adoption Applicants are carefully screened before they are allowed to become parents. AP Photo’s (Talbot)

3. Children in need of care! (“Adopted Father and Daughter”)

4. Facts! As many as three to thirteen million children under the age of 18 currently reside with a gay or lesbian parent. (By the Numbers Gay Parenting) Adoption focuses on the“best interests of the child”(By the Numbers) Care/Compassion Credit: (Patyloca12)

5. There are many different types of people seeking to become parents and many children in need of a loving and nurturing family. - Interracial marriage, working mothers, divorces, out-of-wedlock-children and single motherhood [are] redefine the notion of what an ideal family is in this modern spectrum of alternatives. (Gwyneth Leech)

6. Pro’s and Con’s of Gay Parenting (+) It’s not about the parents, it’s about the children! Children differ in minor ways from those raised by heterosexual couples. (ACLU) According to Hirsch children are also “more tolerant of diversity and nurturing toward young children whose parents are heterosexual There should be no presumption against gay parenting—cases should be handled on a case-by-case basis. (-) Emphasizes Traditional Family Children are compromised by exposure and are more likely to embrace the homosexual “lifestyle” Subjective-conflict (social/Emotional) May see homosexuality as a choice. (Sanders, 1999) Religious-Prohibitions or Sinful Need/Deserve 2 Parents “Faithfulness”--Stability Argue for a presumption against gay parenting (Wardle, 2002)

7. Methodological and Sampling Flaws -Small Sampling Sizes -Self-Selection  Longitudinal Studies are virtually non-existent. It is my opinion that future longitundal studies of more recent studies that attempt to look at the characteristics of particular individuals and family arrangements along with [the] support networks that build up around them (Armesto, 2001) may hold the key to obtaining less biased-data.

8. Anecdote “ I think the best part about having a gay parent is that you learn acceptance for the variety of people out there. I’ve also learned all the more that my parents will love me no matter who I am. The hardest part of all this—well, it used to be—was all the comments about my father and gays in general—the entire concept of it being sick or perverted; it’s ridiculous and very annoying. -Brian , Eighteen

9. Personally, my view is that anyone regardless of their sexuality should be allowed to parent. However, say a Judge in a more conservative, religiously affiliated area like Utah ruled against gay parenting. I would support that decision because such an arrangement would have severe social repercussions and would not be in the best interests of the child. I believe that cases should be handled in a contextual case-by-case basis. Compassion for all

10. Use Your Moral Compus The purpose of this slide is to sincerely encourage people to be considerate of others regardless of your religious beliefs. Differences tend to cause conflicts and in turn may create violence so… Learn Listen Understand (Scutt, 1995-1996) and (Pullman)

11. My Opinion(Alternatve)

12. Why is this important to me?