A Child of Gay Parents Writes to Justice Kennedy

Crisis Magazine ^ | February 27 2015 | Katy Faust

[WilliamIII]

Dear Justice Kennedy,

June is nigh, and with it will comes your ruling on the most contentious political issue of our time: marriage.

I write because I am one of many children with gay parents who believe we should protect marriage. I believe you were right when, during the Proposition 8 deliberations, you said “the voice of those children [of same-sex parents] is important.” I’d like to explain why I think redefining marriage would actually serve to strip these children of their most fundamental rights.

It’s very difficult to speak about this subject, because I love my mom. Most of us children with gay parents do. We also love their partner(s). You don’t hear much from us because, as far as the media are concerned, it’s impossible that we could both love our gay parent(s) and oppose gay marriage. Many are of the opinion I should not exist. But I do, and I’m not the only one.

This debate, at its core, is about one thing.

It’s about children.

The definition of marriage should have nothing to do with lessening emotional suffering within the homosexual community. If the Supreme Court were able to make rulings to affect feelings, racism would have ended fifty years ago. Nor is this issue primarily about the florist, the baker, or the candlestick-maker, though the very real impact on those private citizens is well-publicized. The Supreme Court has no business involving itself in romance or interpersonal relationships. I hope very much that your ruling in June will be devoid of any such consideration.

Government Should Promote the Well-being of Children

[Tenacious 1]

Why don’t they report about all those letters that the fatherless kids right about how important it is to have a mommy and a daddy?

[Amendment10]

Noting that the child’s letter to Justice Roberts can be regarded as evidence that the child is getting pro-gay indoctrination, I don’t know of any kids who would seriously consider writing to Supreme Court justices about any issue.

[ConservativeInPA]

the voice of those children [of same-sex parents] is important

I am confused. How exactly does that work? I didn't think the plumbing work that way.

[a fool in paradise]

The letter writer opposes it.

“Each child is conceived by a mother and a father to whom that child has a natural right. When a child is placed in a same-sex-headed household, she will miss out on at least one critical parental relationship and a vital dual-gender influence. The nature of the adults’ union guarantees this....

Making policy that intentionally deprives children of their fundamental rights is something that we should not endorse, incentivize, or promote...”

[a fool in paradise]

But in further reading, I do see your point that her lesbian caretakers’ encouraged her to promote their lifestyle and reject the old heteronormative relationship: “I remember how many times I repeated my speech: ‘I’m so happy that my parents got divorced so that I could know all of you wonderful women.’”

[Clint N. Suhks]

Have we really arrived at a time when we are considering institutionalizing the stripping of a child’s natural right to a mother and a father in order to validate the emotions of adults?

Most poignant statement of the article.

It's all about Sodomites needing to be seen as "normal" because deep down their perversion gnaws at their souls.

[CharlesOConnell]

‘Gold standard’ study’s striking findings: children of heterosexual parents happier, healthier

The most scientifically credible studies show that children of heterosexual parents fare better on numerous indicators of personal well-being than children of homosexual parents. Authored by Mark Regnerus, a sociology professor at the University of Texas at Austin, the study was published in the July 2012 issue of Social Science Research.

• Children of lesbian mothers are nearly 12 times (≅ 1200%) as likely to say they were sexually touched by a parent or adult as those raised in intact biological families. Asked if they had ever been raped, 31 percent of those raised by lesbian mothers and 25 percent of children raised by gay fathers answered yes, compared to 8 percent of those from intact biological homes.
• Twenty percent (20%) of those raised by lesbians and 25% of those raised by gay men reported having contracted a sexual transmitted infection, compared to 8% of those raised by their biological parents.
• Twelve percent (12%) of those with a lesbian mother and 24% of those with a gay father reported having recently contemplated suicide, compared to only 5% raised by an intact biological family or a single parent.
• Nineteen percent (19%) of those raised by a lesbian mother or gay father were currently or recently receiving psychotherapy, compared to 8% of those raised by their heterosexual parents.
• Twenty-eight percent (28%) of those of working age raised by a lesbian mother and 20% of those raised by a gay father reported being currently unemployed, compared to 8% raised by an intact biological family and 13% raised by a single parent.

Regnerus’ findings conflict with studies widely touted by homosexual activists which have claimed that children raised by homosexual parents fare as well or even better than their peers. Many of these studies, Regnerus points out, have relied on small, self-selected samples, parent rather than child reported outcomes, and have exhibited evidence of political bias.

Regnerus drew his data from the New Family Structures Study, a data collection project that drew from a large, random sample of American young adults. This study is one of the few that measures outcomes as reported by the children of homosexuals, rather than relying on an assessment by the homosexual parent.

Children from same-sex households much less likely to graduate high school: large study

Girls living in “gay” households are only 15 percent as likely to graduate compared to girls from opposite sex married homes.

A large-scale study by Douglas W. Allen, professor of economics at Simon Fraser University, has found that children in same-sex households were only 65 percent as likely to graduate from high school as those living in traditional opposite sex marriage families.

Adverse Family Experiences Among Children in Nonparental Care, 2011–2012

[Jet Jaguar]

Reminder to donate $5 or $10 to end the Freepathon.

[Olog-hai]

I am not saying that being same-sex attracted makes one incapable of parenting …

Why not?

[21twelve]

That last graphic. I wonder if kids have the similar experiences (”traumas”) - but in a two family home they in general feel more secure - so the same event is not as traumatic.

I imagine kids of single parents are more likely to be at home alone, and the thought of an event can get stirred around in their lonely head more, or at least until mom gets home from her second job as she tries to put food on the table and pay the taxes.

[TBP]

I’m sure this will get spun somehow.

[Calpublican]

As a conservative on most issues, I am confused about my thoughts with respect to gay parenting, let alone gay marriage. I was raised by two hetero Christians. However my mother was vicious and hypocritical. I would have been much better off having been raised by two gay, loving parents. Since I am old, I have had plenty of time to reflect on the damage inflicted.

[Repeal The 17th]

"...I would have been much better off having been raised by two gay, loving parents..."
-
There, fixed it for you.

[zaxtres]

“June is nigh, and with it will comes your ruling on the most contentious political issue of our time: marriage.”

I have a couple of questions 1) How old is this “child” and 2) The word usage of this letter suggests an individual of much greater age than a child. As the first sentence is clearly not the construct of an individual that is of age that would be considered a child. I have serious doubts into this letter and by whom it was written, no matter the premise of the letter. Marriage is an institution formed by a man and a woman. All else are civil unions and she be touted as such.

[x_plus_one]

She is a 38 year old other writing about the past.

[Calpublican]

Not really. You have chosen to miss the point.