Morley wrote:subgenius: You’re referring to the meta-analysis on the NARTH website. NARTH may not be the most objective resource.
because it does not support your preconceived notions on the subject?, duly noted.
Let us take a more sanitized approach that may be more appropriate for your delicate sensibilities.
The American Psychological Association(ApA) writes the following in support for the removing homosexuality from the list of disorders (which occurred in the 70s, an obvious by-product of the "me" generation):
"There is no reliable evidence that homosexual orientation per se impairs psychological functioning, although the social and other circumstances in which lesbians and gay men live, including exposure to widespread prejudice and discrimination, often cause acute distress (Cochran, 2001; Freedman, 1971; Gonsiorek, 1991; Hart et al., 1978; Hooker, 1957; Meyer, 2003; Reiss, 1980"
I have no disagreement with this position. But be attentive to the conclusion at the end of this statement - "Acute distress"
Now, yes, this distress is caused by the society and is arguably unjust, immoral, not fair, etc...
But is that cause for putting children in that environment? Are you willing to argue that this current risk is acceptable to prove a political point? Is it appropriate to sacrifice the well-being of a child as a means to combat an alleged social injustice?
No, it is not...because to take that position is tantamount to using children as a shield between alleged social injustice and the LGBT.
So, currently we see that the LGBT, for whatever reason, is a less favorable condition (due to the increased risk) for the well-being of children.
The ApA article Lesbian & Gay Parenting - Children of Lesbian & Gay Parents, By Charlotte J. Patterson, PhD is no less biased than NARTH. A careful reading of this document reveals, aside from a considerable amount of ambiguity, a rather striking pattern. Charlotte will reference citations and studies regarding lesbian parenting and then draw a conclusion where she conveniently includes gay men. This reference is quite devoid of specific gay men parenting statistics, and even admits it, and where she does reference a study it is in a casual, shallow manner, often just stating that the study described gay parent in "positive terms".......though she consistently piggy-backs a gay parent endorsement on the back of lesbian parenting findings. Closer inspection of the references confirms my earlier, and current assertions.
Now the APA (capital P) or American Psychiatric Association wrote:
"a growing body of scientific literature demonstrates that children who grow up with 1 or 2 gay and/or lesbian parents fare as well in emotional, cognitive, social, and sexual functioning as do children whose parents are heterosexual."
Steven Nock of the University of Virginia, wrote (in reference to the APA referenced studies) in an affidavit in last year's Ontario Superior Court gay marriage case, "not a single one of those studies was conducted according to generally accepted standards of scientific research."
So, in conclusion we can research all the data, criticize the research methods, and still come to the same conclusions as i have asserted.
The bottom line is that the well-being of the child is the most important aspect of the discussion, yet we see the LGBT community defy the data, the circumstances, and the context of current society by insisting that children are at no worse a risk with them than with anyone else. Yet because of the current climate in our society it is blatantly obvious that this is just a self-centered claim, as usual, by the LGBT community and they are willing to put children in potentially risky situations to prove their point. The idea that the LGBT community can simultaneously alleviate the alleged social injustice they suffer and use children as a means to combat alleged prejudicial treatment is a glaring sign of their misguided selfish behavior having no bounds. If nothing else the well-being of a child far outweighs the risk of being in an environment of "acute distress" or other alleged social pressures.
This is not a call to advocate any alleged social injustices that may or may not be imposed on the LGBT community, but rather a call to recognize that if these social injustices do exist then placing children on the front line is not in their best interest for "well-being".
then children would have more options for a better upbringing. In which case, I agree with you (is that a first?).