Are the kids alright?
Participants at Family Pride, June 2004
Post date: October 25, 2004
New study looks at the effect of the same-sex marriage debate on children in same-sex families
How is the emotional well-being of children affected when they are surrounded by a public debate about whether their families are legitimate or not, and when opponents of same-sex marriage assert that these children are at risk in their households?
The Canadian government’s bill to change the legal definition of marriage to include same-sex couples has sparked massive public debate and significant backlash against same-sex families.
Information for Queer Parents FSA Toronto, in collaboration with Sherbourne Health Centre, produced a series of brochures called Queer Parenting Info covering issues of interest to LGBT parents and/or parents-to-be and their families and friends.
List of brochures:
• LGB Parenting for Family and Friends
• Transsexual/Transgender Parenting: Basic Information for our Friends and
Families
• Co-Parenting
• Parenting Options for Gay Men
• Choosing a Sperm Donor: Known or Unknown
• Insemination Procedures
• Information for New Lesbian Parents in Ontario
Rachel Epstein, coordinator of Family Service Association of Toronto’s LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans) Parenting Network within the David Kelley Services group, is leading a study that will document the impact of this public debate on children and youth living in LGBT-led families.
The 18-month project will look at how homophobic views are presented in the same-sex marriage debate. The project will include interviews with providers of services to the LGBT community, such as teachers, social service workers, LGBT parenting activists and public health workers.
The information gained will help inform the design of an on-line survey to find out how much exposure LGBT-led families have had to homophobic views and the impact of this exposure.
Finally, the researchers will conduct group interviews with parents, teachers and the children of LGBT-led families.
The results of this study will be published in summer 2005.
Funding has been generously provided by Wellesley Central Health Organization.
