Law and LGBQ-Parent Families

Emily Kazyak, Brandi Woodell

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper addresses how the law affects LGBQ-parent families. We first outline the legal landscape that LGBQ parents face in the US, underscoring that it varies drastically by state and creates inequity for families. Reviewing existing social science research, we then address how the law affects three processes for LGBQ people: desiring parenthood, becoming a parent, and experiencing parenthood. Our review indicates that the law affects if and how LGBQ people become parents. LGBQ people consider the law as they make decisions about whether to pursue adoption, donor insemination, or surrogacy and often view the latter two pathways as the most legally secure. Further, the law continues to be salient for LGBQ parents throughout parenthood and affects family well-being. Specifically, legal inequity diminishes parent’s well-being, the relationship among couples who are parenting, and parents’ ability to effectively advocate for their children in institutional settings like healthcare contexts. Finally, we address directions for future research for scholars interested in the law, family processes and outcomes, and LGBQ families.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)749-768
Number of pages20
JournalSexuality and Culture
Volume20
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adoption
  • Donor insemination
  • Familial relationships
  • Law
  • Same-sex parenting
  • Surrogacy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gender Studies
  • Cultural Studies

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