The Pros And Cons Of Gay Adoption

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“Outside of the marriage context, can you think of any other rational basis, reason, for a state using sexual orientation as a factor in denying homosexuals benefits or imposing burdens on them? Is there any other rational decision-making that the government could make? Denying them a job not granting them benefits of some sort, any other decision?” “Your Honor, I cannot.” This dialogue is between Supreme Court justice Sonia Sotomayor and Charles Cooper, the lawyer who defended Proposition 8 in the recent case on whether California’s ban on gay marriage was constitutional. Currently there are sixteen states that allow gay marriage, however there are 33 that outright ban it. Inequality is obviously present, the basis of denying some the custom of marriage on who they wish to …show more content…

Gay couples have to find alternative methods of having children for obvious reasons. Adoption is one of the most popular ways gay couples chose to have children (Epstein). The 2000 census shows 34% of lesbian and 22% of gay male couples are living with a child. Comparatively only 46% of straight couples were raising children at the time (Epstein). A 2009 study into gay and lesbian adoption was done to fill the gap in understanding why there might be reason to ban gay adoption or not. The study’s focus was on the success rate of gay parented families; using criteria such as education level and yearly wage (Averett). Specifically comparing only families that chose adoption, research found that sexuality, family stability, and family income were similar for both hetero and homosexual parents (given all other criteria were the same such as race and wealth of community, etc.) (Averett). Eliminating willing parents to take in those who are less fortunate is a society-wide loss. Less fortunate children need homes and it is a waste of perfectly good parents to not allow same-sex couples to raise