Study: Children with gay parents denied equal protections

Discriminatory parenting laws in more than 30 states means it is likely that children being raised in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) families will be legal strangers to at least one of their parents, according to a new report released Tuesday.

The study — Securing Legal Ties for Children Living in LGBT Families: A State Strategy and Policy Guide — details how current state laws put many children in the U.S. at risk and undermine their family stability.

“There are two million children being raised by gay parents, most of whom live in states where they are excluded by family law,” said Jennifer Chrisler, Family Equality Council Executive Director.

“The impact of these laws is wide-ranging: our children are denied health insurance coverage; we face higher economic burdens that put our families at risk; our families aren’t protected when a parent dies; and our children live with the insecurity of knowing that one of their parents isn’t considered a parent under the law.”

According to the report, the lack of legal recognition for LGBT families “harms children and threatens their ability to thrive”  Read More