Cimarron Alliance denounces flawed “study” claiming negative effects of LGBT parenting

Oklahoma City - A misleading new study claims to find disadvantages for children raised by same-gender parents. The biggest problem with this study, though, is that it does not really study same-gender parents.

According to Scott J. Hamilton, executive director of Oklahoma City-based Cimarron Alliance, “This is another example of propaganda being disguised as ‘science’ in an effort to negatively influence public perception about the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.”

Conducted by right-wing Mark Regnerus, a sociologist at the University of Texas, this recently published report was funded by the Witherspoon Institute and the Bradley Foundation, two conservative, anti-gay foundations.

Because this study is deeply flawed, it contradicts three decades of solid science that shows little difference in the lives of children raised in a home by two heterosexual parents or two same-gender parents. The most striking, unifying chord in this body of research is that children raised in loving homes of two committed parents have far more opportunities than other children. It must be noted that some studies indicate that children raised by same-gender parents have more success than any other group.

This genuine research is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Association of Social Workers, and the American Psychological Association. Each of these professional organizations concur that same-gender parents make good parents.

There are currently over two million children in the United States being raised by same-gender parents, the majority of whom are doing very well. The danger in a “study” such as this is that anti-gay groups will seize it as yet another weapon in a burgeoning arsenal to attack LGBT Americans.
To this point, an op-ed in yesterday’s New York Times holds up this study as a cautionary note in the debate over marriage equality.

“This study is not worthy of publication in a scientific journal,” adds Hamilton. “One can only hope that the researcher and those who funded the study are discredited swiftly by their peers.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additionally, according to GLADD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)
Key problems with the “New Family Structures Study” include:
•The paper is fundamentally flawed and intentionally misleading. It doesn’t even measure what it claims to be measuring. Most of the children examined in the paper were not being raised by parents in a committed same-sex relationship—whereas the other children in the study were being raised in two-parent homes with straight parents.
•Given its fundamental flaws and ideological agenda, it’s not surprising that the paper doesn’t match the 30 years of solid scientific research on gay and lesbian parents and families. That research has been reviewed by child welfare organizations like the Child Welfare League of America, the National Adoption Center, the National Association of Social Workers and others whose only priority is the health and welfare of children and that research has led them to strongly support adoption by lesbian and gay parents.
•In addition, the paper’s flaws highlight the disconnect between its claims about gay parents and the lived experiences of 2 million children in this country being raised by LGBT parents. Americans know that their LGBT friends, family members and neighbors are wonderful parents and are providing loving and happy homes to children.
•The paper fails to consider the impact of family arrangement or family transitions on children, invalidating any attempt on its part to assess the impact of sexual orientation on parenting. The paper inappropriately compares children raised by two heterosexual parents for 18 years with children who experience family transitions – like foster care – or who live with single or divorced parents, or in blended families. Moreover, the limited number of respondents arbitrarily classified as having a gay or lesbian parent is combined regardless of their experiences of family instability.
About GLAAD: The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org or connect with GLAAD on Facebook and Twitter.