Opponents of gay marriage who argue they are simply thinking of the children, will have to think again. An American scientific study shows that same-sex marriage is in the best interests of children

Opponents of marriage and family equality frequently protest that they are not anti-gay, but are simply thinking of the best interests of the children. But in making the claim, they seldom cite any actual evidence: when the defenders of Proposition 8 attempted to make the argument in a California court, there sole “expert” witness was eventually forced to concede that in fact he did not have any evidence to back his argument - and the judge found that the evidence he did submit, actually supported the case for gay marriage.

Australian Marriage Equality (AME) national director Rodney Croome described the study as ‘landmark’.

‘It conclusively shows marriage equality is good for children and families, and not the kind of threat to families opponents of reform have previously claimed it is,’ said Croome, adding that AME would send the report to all Australian MPs, the majority of whom oppose same-sex marriage.

Australian gay father of two, Tom Snow, whose family was captured in touching portrait photography by his mother, said:

‘My family faces institutionalized discrimination every day because my partner and I cannot marry… Allowing gay and lesbian parents to marry helps gives stability and permanency to relationships, and removes stigma and prejudice, both of which are good for children.’

via Gay Star News.

And here’s the full academic abstract of the study, from PEDIATRICS (the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics).

To promote optimal health and well-being of all children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports access for all children to (1) civil marriage rights for their parents and (2) willing and capable foster and adoptive parents, regardless of the parents’ sexual orientation. The AAP has always been an advocate for, and has developed policies to support, the optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being of all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. In so doing, the AAP has supported families in all their diversity, because the family has always been the basic social unit in which children develop the supporting and nurturing relationships with adults that they need to thrive. Children may be born to, adopted by, or cared for temporarily by married couples, nonmarried couples, single parents, grandparents, or legal guardians, and any of these may be heterosexual, gay or lesbian, or of another orientation. Children need secure and enduring relationships with committed and nurturing adults to enhance their life experiences for optimal social-emotional and cognitive development. Scientific evidence affirms that children have similar developmental and emotional needs and receive similar parenting whether they are raised by parents of the same or different genders. If a child has 2 living and capable parents who choose to create a permanent bond by way of civil marriage, it is in the best interests of their child(ren) that legal and social institutions allow and support them to do so, irrespective of their sexual orientation. If 2 parents are not available to the child, adoption or foster parenting remain acceptable options to provide a loving home for a child and should be available without regard to the sexual orientation of the parent(s).

Related articles

• Influential pediatricians group backs gay marriage (sfgate.com)