Psychologist testifies in gay marriage case that children do fine with gay parents

Witness testifies kids do fine with gay parents

SAN FRANCISCO — Children raised by same-sex parents are as well-adjusted and safe from abuse as kids who grow up with a mother and father, a Cambridge University psychologist testified Friday in a federal lawsuit challenging California’s same-sex marriage ban.

“For a significant number of these children, their adjustment would be promoted were their parents able to get married,” developmental psychologist Michael Lamb said while undercutting arguments made by sponsors of Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage ballot measure passed in 2008.

Lamb said there was no evidence that children with gay parents were more likely to become gay themselves or become victims of sexual abuse or incest.

In addition, he said no evidence exists that gays or lesbians are more likely to sexually abuse children.

“We have a substantial body of evidence documenting that a child being raised by same-sex parents are just as likely to be well-adjusted as children raised by heterosexual parents,” Lamb said.

His testimony was presented by lawyers representing two gay couples in a lawsuit aimed at overturning Proposition 8.

Sponsors of the measure have said restricting marriage to a man and woman can be justified by the need to foster procreation and to make sure that children are raised by their biological parents.

During cross-examination, David Thompson, an attorney for Proposition 8 sponsors, contended there was little empirical evidence to support statements by the American Academy of Adolescent and Child Psychology opposing discrimination against transgender and bisexual parents, as well as gay and lesbian parents.

Lamb agreed that not much research existed on children raised by bisexual or transgender parents.

Thompson also asserted there were significant differences between men and women that come into play in parenting.

“There is not a rich empirical literature related to children of transgender individuals, and there is not a rich literature on the outcomes of children of bisexuals,” Thompson said.

“No,” Lamb agreed.

“So this statement is not based on empirics, but politics,” Thompson said.

Thompson also urged Lamb to acknowledge that there were significant differences between men and women, including that men are more likely to be alcoholics, engage in acts of violence and have learning disabilities.

Lamb agreed that was all true.

“We can also agree that men can’t breastfeed, and breastfeeding clearly has benefits for children in that it provides sources of immunity that are beneficial to children,” Thompson said, raising his voice.

“Yes, that is correct,” Lamb replied.

Thompson began his cross-examination by asking Lamb if he was a member of several advocacy groups, including the ACLU, NAACP and Amnesty International.

“You have even given money to PBS, so we can agree you are a committed liberal, right?” Thompson said.

Lamb agreed that he considered himself politically liberal.

The trial, in its fifth day, is the first in federal court to determine if efforts to stop gays from marrying violates their constitutional rights.

Attorney Matthew McGill, who represents the plaintiffs, also introduced position statements from a variety of organizations, including the American Psychological Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, disputing the idea that lesbian mothers and gay fathers are unfit parents because of their sexual orientation.