What are some issues for gay and lesbian couples during pregnancy?

Gay and lesbian couples typically raise children in three contexts. The first is where one of the partners is already the biological parent of a child. The second is where the same-sex couple agrees to have a child and plan that one of them will be the biological parent, and that, after birth, they will raise the child together. The third is where the same-sex couple seeks to adopt or become the foster parents of a child who is not biologically related to either of them.

Approximately 250,000 children are being raised by same-sex couples in the United States, but the rights of these parents “vary widely among states,” in that only about half allow second-parent adoptions by the unmarried partner of an existing legal parent and a handful of state courts have ruled these adoptions not permissible under state laws. Yet another estimate is that at least 270,000 children are being raised by same-sex couples; this number does not include single lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender parents. It seems likely that same-sex parents are underreported in the Census. (Another cited statistic is that between one million and nine million children are raised in families with at least one gay parent). Same-sex couples are raising children via single parent adoptions in all states except Florida.

LGBTQ+ Pregnancy

An LGBTQ pregnancy is very much the same in many ways as a pregnancy in a heterosexual relationship, yet there may also be some extra challenges. ... read more »

The Different Types of Surrogacy

Surrogacy, often a legal agreement, is used when a person or couple cannot have a child. Whether they medically cannot have a child, are a same-sex couple, or a single parent, surrogacy allows them to become a parent. ... read more »

At-Home Artificial Insemination: The Turkey Baster Method

Step-by-step instructions for getting pregnant using artificial insemination at home using the "Turkey Baster" method. ... read more »

Facts and Myths About Gay and Lesbian Parenting

Change often causes a division between those that are in support of the change, and those that aren't. Gay and lesbian parenting is one such change. ... read more »

Gay Male and Lesbian Parents: Adoption and Divorce

Gay male and lesbian couples typically raise children in three contexts. The first is where one of the partners is already the biological parent of a child.  ... read more »

Foster Care – Alternative for Gay and Lesbian Couples

Finding proper foster parents for the many children living in state custody is an on-going battle. ... read more »

Legal Issues of Gay and Lesbian Pregnancy

When Sharon Bottoms lost custody of her two-year-old son in 1993, she was appalled by the decision of the court system. ... read more »

Ellen DeGeneres Pregnant

This is a headline you will probably never see. Ellen DeGeneres has been open with her sexuality and open with her ideas about having children. ... read more »

Growing Up with Two Moms or Dads

Growing up with two moms or two dads is not a new concept. Society, however, has not embraced the concept until the last 10 years. ... read more »

Second Parent Adoption

According to law, states have the right to honor or deny second parent adoption. The law was passed to allow a second parent to adopt a child without removing legal parental rights from the first parent. Not all states, in the United States, honor second-parent adoptions. ... read more »

Should Lesbian Parents Have Girls and Gay Parents Boys?

According to Hollywood, gay men act more like women and lesbians act more like men. This, of course, is both improbable and unjustified. ... read more »

Study: Child Development with Same-Sex Parents

One of the hottest debates in regards to parenting includes potential child development issues. At least five major studies that have proven parenting has no negative effects on child development. ... read more »

Can My Partner Attend My Delivery?

If you simply want your partner in the delivery room you can address her as your birth coach and no one will ask another question. ... read more »

Gay And Lesbian Pregnancy and Parenting

Gay and lesbian pregnancy pose some different and difficult questions. Below are common topics discussed between gay or lesbian couples with regard to conceiving and parenting a child. ... read more »

Gestational Surrogates - Surrogacy and Pregnancy

Surrogacy is an arrangement in which a woman carries and delivers a child for another couple or person. This arrangement may be done as traditional surrogacy or gestational surrogacy.  ... read more »

Tips for Gay and Lesbian Couples Finding a Surrogate Mom

Gay and lesbian couples may choose surrogacy as alternative to pregnancy or adoption. Surrogate mothers carry a child with sole intention of allowing the couple to adopt the child(ren) after birth. ... read more »

Are There Advantages of Having Gay Parents?

There are no differences between the outcome of a child parented by a heterosexual couple or a gay / lesbian couple. ... read more »

Should My Life Partner Adopt?

Gay and lesbian parents were previously forced to choose which parent would have legal custody of a child or accept the fact that the biological parent was the only legal parent recognized by law. ... read more »