{"id":260890,"date":"2025-06-12T09:51:30","date_gmt":"2025-06-12T13:51:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?p=260890"},"modified":"2025-11-07T21:52:26","modified_gmt":"2025-11-08T02:52:26","slug":"same-sex-parents-raising-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2025\/06\/12\/same-sex-parents-raising-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Same-Sex Parents Raising Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-sans-serif-font-family has-small-font-size is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-93c2ce85 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-social-links has-small-icon-size has-icon-color has-icon-background-color is-style-pill-shape is-horizontal is-content-justification-left 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wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-align-center\" id=\"same-sex-parents-raising-kids\">Same-Sex Parents Raising Kids<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-bd6cbb4d wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-bylines-display is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-prc-block-bylines-display-is-layout-cbcdc57d wp-block-prc-block-bylines-display-is-layout-flex\" class=\"wp-block-prc-block-bylines-display__bylines\"><span class=\"wp-block-prc-block-bylines-display__prefix\">By<\/span> <a rel=\"author\" href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/staff\/rachel-minkin\/\" aria-label=\"View author archive for Rachel Minkin\">Rachel Minkin<\/a><span class=\"prc-platform-staff-bylines__separator\">, <\/span><a rel=\"author\" href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/staff\/dana-braga\/\" aria-label=\"View author archive for Dana Braga\">Dana Braga<\/a><span class=\"prc-platform-staff-bylines__separator\">, <\/span><a rel=\"author\" href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/staff\/kiley-hurst\/\" aria-label=\"View author archive for Kiley Hurst\">Kiley Hurst<\/a><span class=\"prc-platform-staff-bylines__separator\">, <\/span><a rel=\"author\" href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/staff\/john-carlo-mandapat\/\" aria-label=\"View author archive for John Carlo Mandapat\">John Carlo Mandapat<\/a> <span class=\"prc-platform-staff-bylines__and-separator\">and<\/span> <a rel=\"author\" href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/staff\/shannon-greenwood\/\" aria-label=\"View author archive for Shannon Greenwood\">Shannon Greenwood<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Illustrations by Eliana Rodgers<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2025-06-12T09:51:30-04:00\">June 12, 2025<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/PEW-RESEARCH_data-essay_header_final-300-copy.webp\" media=\"(min-width: 100px)\"\/><img data-dominant-color=\"beada0\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2160\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/PEW-RESEARCH_data-essay_header_final-300-copy.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-261541 not-transparent\" style=\"--dominant-color: #beada0; object-fit:cover\" 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https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/PEW-RESEARCH_data-essay_header_final-300-copy.webp?resize=160,90 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/PEW-RESEARCH_data-essay_header_final-300-copy.webp?resize=320,180 320w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/PEW-RESEARCH_data-essay_header_final-300-copy.webp?resize=540,304 540w\" \/><\/picture><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-sticky-id=\"sticky-2\" data-wp-init--sticky-support=\"prc-block\/supports::callbacks.onInit\" data-wp-interactive=\"prc-block\/supports\" class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-200-wide has-sans-serif-font-family is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow wp-container-1 is-position-sticky block-visibility-hide-medium-screen prc-block-visibility__tablet block-visibility-hide-small-screen prc-block-visibility__mobile\"><ol style=\"line-height:1.2 --block-gap: var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);\" class=\"is-style-default has-text-color has--color has-background has--background-color wp-block-prc-block-table-of-contents__list wp-block-prc-block-table-of-contents\" aria-role=\"navigation\" data-wp-interactive=\"prc-block\/table-of-contents\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;items&quot;:[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;unattachedPackagePart_260890&quot;,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Same-Sex Parents Raising Kids&quot;,&quot;slug&quot;:&quot;same-sex-parents-raising-kids&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/alpha.pewresearch.org\\\/pewresearch-org\\\/social-trends\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/12\\\/same-sex-parents-raising-kids\\\/&quot;,&quot;postId&quot;:260890,&quot;is_active&quot;:true,&quot;items&quot;:[],&quot;chapters&quot;:[],&quot;sections&quot;:[]}],&quot;highlightCurrentSection&quot;:true}\" data-wp-init--map-sections-to-chapters=\"callbacks.mapFoundSectionsToChapters\" data-wp-init--watch-for-section-scroll=\"callbacks.initWatchForSectionScroll\" data-wp-on-document--scroll=\"callbacks.watchForSectionScroll\">\t\t\t<template data-wp-each--chapter=\"context.items\">\n\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-prc-block-table-of-contents__list-item\" data-wp-class--is-active=\"state.isActive\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a data-wp-bind--href=\"context.chapter.url\" data-wp-text=\"context.chapter.label\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"wp-block-prc-block-table-of-contents__list sections\" data-wp-hidden=\"callbacks.hasSections\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<template data-wp-each--section=\"context.chapter.sections\">\n\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-prc-block-table-of-contents__list-item\" data-wp-class--is-active=\"state.isActive\" data-wp-watch--for-current-section=\"callbacks.watchForCurrentSection\">\n\t\t\t\t<a data-wp-bind--href=\"context.section.url\" data-wp-text=\"context.section.label\" data-wp-on--click=\"callbacks.scrollSmoothly\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t<\/template>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/template>\n\t\t\t\t<li data-wp-each-child=\"prc-block\/table-of-contents::context.items\" class=\"wp-block-prc-block-table-of-contents__list-item\" data-wp-class--is-active=\"state.isActive\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2025\/06\/12\/same-sex-parents-raising-kids\/\" data-wp-bind--href=\"context.chapter.url\" data-wp-text=\"context.chapter.label\">Same-Sex Parents Raising Kids<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"wp-block-prc-block-table-of-contents__list sections\" data-wp-hidden=\"callbacks.hasSections\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<template data-wp-each--section=\"context.chapter.sections\">\n\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-prc-block-table-of-contents__list-item\" data-wp-class--is-active=\"state.isActive\" data-wp-watch--for-current-section=\"callbacks.watchForCurrentSection\">\n\t\t\t\t<a data-wp-bind--href=\"context.section.url\" data-wp-text=\"context.section.label\" data-wp-on--click=\"callbacks.scrollSmoothly\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t<\/template>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/ol><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-sticky-id=\"sticky-4\" data-wp-init--sticky-support=\"prc-block\/supports::callbacks.onInit\" data-wp-interactive=\"prc-block\/supports\" class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-3 is-position-sticky block-visibility-hide-large-screen prc-block-visibility__desktop\"><ol style=\" --block-gap: var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);\" class=\"is-style-dropdown has-text-color has--color has-background has--background-color wp-block-prc-block-table-of-contents__list wp-block-prc-block-table-of-contents\" aria-role=\"navigation\" data-wp-interactive=\"prc-block\/table-of-contents\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;items&quot;:[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;unattachedPackagePart_260890&quot;,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Same-Sex Parents Raising Kids&quot;,&quot;slug&quot;:&quot;same-sex-parents-raising-kids&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/alpha.pewresearch.org\\\/pewresearch-org\\\/social-trends\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/12\\\/same-sex-parents-raising-kids\\\/&quot;,&quot;postId&quot;:260890,&quot;is_active&quot;:true,&quot;items&quot;:[],&quot;chapters&quot;:[],&quot;sections&quot;:[]}],&quot;highlightCurrentSection&quot;:false}\" data-wp-init--map-sections-to-chapters=\"callbacks.mapFoundSectionsToChapters\" data-wp-init--watch-for-section-scroll=\"callbacks.initWatchForSectionScroll\" data-wp-on-document--scroll=\"callbacks.watchForSectionScroll\">\t\t\t<template data-wp-each--chapter=\"context.items\">\n\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-prc-block-table-of-contents__list-item\" data-wp-class--is-active=\"state.isActive\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a data-wp-bind--href=\"context.chapter.url\" data-wp-text=\"context.chapter.label\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"wp-block-prc-block-table-of-contents__list sections\" data-wp-hidden=\"callbacks.hasSections\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<template data-wp-each--section=\"context.chapter.sections\">\n\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-prc-block-table-of-contents__list-item\" data-wp-class--is-active=\"state.isActive\" data-wp-watch--for-current-section=\"callbacks.watchForCurrentSection\">\n\t\t\t\t<a data-wp-bind--href=\"context.section.url\" data-wp-text=\"context.section.label\" data-wp-on--click=\"callbacks.scrollSmoothly\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t<\/template>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/template>\n\t\t\t\t<li data-wp-each-child=\"prc-block\/table-of-contents::context.items\" class=\"wp-block-prc-block-table-of-contents__list-item\" data-wp-class--is-active=\"state.isActive\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2025\/06\/12\/same-sex-parents-raising-kids\/\" data-wp-bind--href=\"context.chapter.url\" data-wp-text=\"context.chapter.label\">Same-Sex Parents Raising Kids<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"wp-block-prc-block-table-of-contents__list sections\" data-wp-hidden=\"callbacks.hasSections\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<template data-wp-each--section=\"context.chapter.sections\">\n\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-prc-block-table-of-contents__list-item\" data-wp-class--is-active=\"state.isActive\" data-wp-watch--for-current-section=\"callbacks.watchForCurrentSection\">\n\t\t\t\t<a data-wp-bind--href=\"context.section.url\" data-wp-text=\"context.section.label\" data-wp-on--click=\"callbacks.scrollSmoothly\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t<\/template>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/ol><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cOur lives look the same as every other family. \u2026 We do the same things, like taking our kids to the park. \u2026 We live a very, very typical life. It\u2019s just us being two women who are married and raising beautiful, wonderful kids.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are the words of a lesbian mom in her 30s reflecting on the family she has created with her wife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As part of our efforts to explore the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2025\/05\/29\/the-experiences-of-lgbtq-americans-today\/\">experiences of LGBTQ adults and their families<\/a> in the United States, Pew Research Center conducted a series of interviews with 30 gay, lesbian and bisexual adults who are raising children with a same-sex spouse or partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fewer than 1% of parents are married to or living with a same-sex spouse or partner.[1. Figure for the percentage of same-sex parents out of all U.S. parents with children under age 18 is based on Pew Research Center analysis of 2023 American Community Survey data.] This small share makes it difficult for researchers to report on their views and experiences through a survey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our interviews were not designed to be representative of all LGBTQ parents or all adults with a same-sex spouse or partner. These individuals\u2019 stories are specific to their families, but together they provide a glimpse into the lives of same-sex couples raising kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Related: <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2025\/05\/29\/the-experiences-of-lgbtq-americans-today\/\"><em>The Experiences of LGBTQ Americans Today<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many of the parents we interviewed talked about how their experiences raising a family are just like anyone else\u2019s. They love their children, juggle many responsibilities and worry about paying their bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But they also face some unique challenges:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Their paths to parenthood are often difficult and expensive. <\/strong>Many participants spoke to challenges they faced while looking for sperm or egg donors or while navigating the adoption process as a same-sex family.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Their families don\u2019t always fit society\u2019s \u201cnorm.\u201d <\/strong>One dad talked about having to decide whether he or his husband would be on their child\u2019s birth certificate, since only one father could be listed. Other participants recalled having to correct people who assumed their children have both a mother and a father.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>They worry about what the future might hold for families like theirs. <\/strong>Some parents expressed concern about federal policies that could strip same-sex couples of their legal rights to their children.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Participants also talked about the ways in which they feel their same-sex family is supported and celebrated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Several described the support they get from their own parents.<\/strong> We heard stories about grandparents covering child care when couples returned to work following parental leave. Some interviewees received financial assistance from their parents to help with mounting fertility costs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Friends often provide an important support system, too. <\/strong>Several parents spoke about the gratitude they felt when their close friends \u2013 or chosen family \u2013 stepped in to help them prepare their home to welcome adopted children. Social media is also seen as a tool LGBTQ parents can use to connect and learn from one another, especially if they don\u2019t live near other same-sex couples with kids.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Living in a welcoming community helps them feel safe as a family.<\/strong> One parent mentioned the relief he felt when the family pediatrician immediately used language recognizing that his child has two dads, without him having to explain. Another described attending an LGBTQ-friendly church that provides a welcoming space for his family.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-style-plus-icon has-border-color has-ui-gray-light-border-color has-ui-beige-very-light-background-color has-background has-sans-serif-font-family is-layout-flow wp-container-core-details-is-layout-61b01db2 wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:1px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);font-size:clamp(0.875em, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2em) * 0.009), 0.88em);\"><summary>Terminology<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this essay, we use the terms <strong>same-sex parents<\/strong> and <strong>LGBTQ parents<\/strong> to refer to men and women who are raising children with a same-sex spouse or partner and who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or queer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other references to the acronym <strong>LGBTQ<\/strong> such as \u201cLGBTQ adults\u201d or \u201cLGBTQ community\u201d refer to people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-style-plus-icon has-border-color has-ui-gray-light-border-color has-ui-beige-very-light-background-color has-background has-sans-serif-font-family is-layout-flow wp-container-core-details-is-layout-61b01db2 wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:1px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);font-size:clamp(0.875em, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2em) * 0.009), 0.88em);\"><summary>About this study<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pew Research Center conducted this study to understand the experiences of parents who are raising children with a same-sex spouse or partner. This study is part of a broader project focused on the experiences of LGBTQ adults 10 years after the Supreme Court\u2019s Obergefell v. Hodges ruling legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to these interviews with same-sex parents, the project includes a survey of LGBTQ adults that explores how they see the impact of Obergefell and <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2025\/05\/29\/social-acceptance-for-gay-lesbian-bisexual-nonbinary-and-transgender-people\/\">how they view social acceptance for LGBTQ people<\/a> more broadly, as well as the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2025\/06\/12\/rising-number-of-u-s-households-are-headed-by-married-same-sex-couples\/\">experiences of those in same-sex relationships<\/a>. Because the number of same-sex parents in the survey is too small to analyze separately, we conducted these interviews to explore this aspect of family life among LGBTQ adults. This work also builds on our broader research on <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2023\/01\/24\/parenting-in-america-today\/\">parenting in America<\/a>. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For this study, we worked with PSB Insights to conduct in-depth interviews from Nov. 4 to Nov. 25, 2024, with 15 men and 15 women raising children younger than 18 with a same-sex spouse or partner. Transgender adults were eligible to participate if they have a same-sex spouse or partner and children under age 18. The final sample did not include any transgender participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Participants were recruited by RRU Global through targeted email outreach among their panel of qualified candidates and through connections with potential participants through LGBTQ networks and LGBTQ parent groups via social media. Candidates were eligible if they met the technology requirements to participate in an online interview as well as the following criteria: they are 18 years of age or older, they identify as LGBTQ and are married to or living with a same-sex spouse or partner, and they are jointly raising a child age 17 or younger living in their household at least 50% of the time. The participants were a mix of ages, races and ethnicities, and they were from all four regions of the U.S. (Midwest, Northeast, South and West). For more details, refer to the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents_methodology.pdf\">methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The findings in this essay are not statistically representative and cannot be extrapolated to wider populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some quotes have been lightly edited for clarity, brevity and\/or to remove identifying details. Participants are identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual based on their answers to the screening questionnaire. These terms don\u2019t necessarily encompass all of the ways in which participants described their sexual orientation. Participants\u2019 ages are grouped to better preserve their anonymity.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center is-style-default has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"jump-to\"><strong>JUMP TO<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#journeys-to-parenthood\">Journeys to parenthood<\/a> | <a href=\"#experiences-of-same-sex-couples-raising-kids\">Experiences of same-sex couples raising kids<\/a> | <a href=\"#life-in-their-neighborhood\">Life in their neighborhood<\/a> | <a href=\"#finding-community-in-lgbtq-spaces\">Finding community in LGBTQ spaces<\/a> | <a href=\"#future-hopes-for-lgbtq-families\">Future hopes for LGBTQ families<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-536d626b wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\">\n<h2 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;journeys-to-parenthood&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-64c699bb62f3d1a1d16eeb8cd13f34bf\" id=\"journeys-to-parenthood\" style=\"color:#c03b28\">Journeys to parenthood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-640-wide\"><img data-dominant-color=\"b89e76\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #b89e76;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" height=\"640\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg?w=640\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-260864 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg 2160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg?resize=1024,1024 1024w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg?resize=1536,1536 1536w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg?resize=2048,2048 2048w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg?resize=405,405 405w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg?resize=260,260 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg?resize=310,310 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg?resize=420,420 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg?resize=640,640 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg?resize=740,740 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg?resize=1400,1400 1400w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg?resize=75,75 75w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg?resize=140,140 140w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg?resize=160,160 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-03.jpg?resize=320,320 320w\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">LGBTQ parents welcome children into their lives in several ways. A majority of same-sex parents <a href=\"https:\/\/williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Same-Sex-Parents-Jul-2018.pdf\">have biological children<\/a>, often born through assisted reproduction or a previous different-sex relationship. Assisted reproduction can include things like in vitro fertilization (IVF) using sperm from a donor, or surrogacy using an egg from a donor and a surrogate who carries the pregnancy. But many same-sex couples <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org\/publication\/pathways-parenthood-lgbt-people\/\">adopt or foster children<\/a> to build their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For some couples we spoke with, things did not go as they expected. One mom described a long fertility process that took nearly a decade. Some mentioned roadblocks, like adoption agencies that were hesitant or unwilling to work with same-sex couples. Others spoke to their difficulties finding a donor or surrogate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide quote-box is-style-default has-background has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-03ff393c wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:12px;background-color:#eeede4;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9c23b529 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-d6121ed6 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cWe ultimately landed on IVF doing surrogacy although it was the pricier of the two [compared with adoption], which is such a barrier to entry for so many people, unfortunately. It certainly was not easy for us either, but we felt like we had a little more control over the pace of the process. We just have known so many wonderful, amazing gay couples who so desperately want to be parents but have been on waiting lists for such a long time. \u2026 Time wasn\u2019t really on our side in that regard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 30s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-right is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-28dd471b wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a831cfa0 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cWe knew that we wanted to do reciprocal IVF.[2. Reciprocal IVF, also called&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org\/publication\/pathways-parenthood-lgbt-people\/\">partner-to-partner insemination<\/a>, is when a couple uses one partner\u2019s egg that has been inseminated through in vitro fertilization and the other member of the couple carries the pregnancy.] I have always wanted to be pregnant, and my wife has never wanted to be pregnant. <mark style=\"background-color:#f5d5d0\" class=\"has-inline-color\">So we knew that we were going to use [her] eggs and donor sperm, and then I was going to carry.<\/mark> So once we picked a donor, we started the process with our fertility clinic of my wife going through her egg retrievals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Mother, 20s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9c23b529 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ec2f1679 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cYou need an agency in your home state to do what\u2019s called a home study to validate and prove that you are fit and legit to be parents. But all three of our children were adopted from [another state]. There\u2019s not a lot of adoptions that happen in [our state]. There\u2019s a lot more people looking to adopt than there are adoptions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 30s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-right is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-28dd471b wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2fe83cf4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cShe had two children when we met, so we have four children total \u2026 You know, it doesn&#8217;t matter how they were born in their mind as well. <mark style=\"background-color:#f5d5d0\" class=\"has-inline-color\">The first two are biologically hers [from a previous different-sex relationship], the second two are biologically mine.<\/mark> \u2026 We did IVF and had a friend help us because we wanted to know the father. We didn&#8217;t want to have some distant person that we didn&#8217;t know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Mother, 40s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ac940c0c1a43315f799dd0f1cd789919\" id=\"legal-hurdles-and-cost\" style=\"color:#c03b28\">Legal hurdles and cost<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many people we talked to mentioned legal steps they had to take to establish their rights as a parent. These often included the lengthy and expensive process of adopting children, defining legal rights in surrogacy, or ensuring the rights of the non-biological or non-gestational parent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide quote-box is-style-default has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-84f137ca wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:12px;background-color:#eeede4;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9c23b529 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a831cfa0 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cWith surrogacy, there\u2019s a lot more legal paperwork. \u2026 There\u2019s the paperwork with the egg donor, there\u2019s the legal stuff with the surrogate, and there\u2019s sort of a negotiation about the terms of the agreement. And then there\u2019s a lot of stuff that you need to file with the state. \u2026&nbsp;Only certain states will allow surrogacy. It\u2019s a lot more complicated, legally, for surrogacy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 40s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-right is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-28dd471b wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a831cfa0 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cIn [our state], the person who gives birth is listed as the mother on the birth certificate. So <mark style=\"background-color:#f5d5d0\" class=\"has-inline-color\">we knew that my wife was going to have to do second-parent adoption, even though it\u2019s her embryo.<\/mark> \u2026 My wife legally adopted our daughter, literally as soon as we got that birth certificate and could send all of that paperwork in. Because we often go on vacation in states like North Carolina, I said to my wife, \u2018What happens if we have to go to the hospital because something happens, and you have no parental rights or I have no parental right?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Mother, 20s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We also heard from several people about the financial cost of building their family, especially when the path involved adoption, surrogacy or donor conception. These processes require agency, legal and medical fees that can be too expensive for some couples.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide quote-box is-style-default has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-84f137ca wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:12px;background-color:#eeede4;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default quote-size is-content-justification-right is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-28dd471b wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a831cfa0 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cI mean, you have the financial piece, which is probably one of the greatest stressors that there is in terms of how expensive it is \u2013 especially for two men, oftentimes. And this is making a big leap in assumption, but [for] two women, if one of them were willing to carry, then immediately the cost of their process, while still large, goes down significantly, because they\u2019re not paying someone to carry their embryo. <mark style=\"background-color:#f5d5d0\" class=\"has-inline-color\">So the cost \u2013 especially for two men \u2013 is just insane.<\/mark>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 30s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default quote-size is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9c23b529 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ce90889e wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cI think the biggest thing was the insurance. With my first company that we were trying, we got denied the insurance. They gave $15,000 for fertility benefits. But gay couples couldn\u2019t use it because you had to have a medical diagnosis of infertility. Both of us have sperm, so we\u2019re not medically diagnosed as infertile, but we can\u2019t make a baby together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 50s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default quote-size is-content-justification-right is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-28dd471b wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ec2f1679 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cWhen I got pregnant with our second \u2026 we did have to pay more for me. I didn\u2019t qualify via the insurance to have it covered right away. I think they covered the third [intrauterine insemination (IUI)] cycle. \u2026 Even two cycles cost us almost $10,000. But we were lucky that we had saved and were able to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Mother, 40s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-982de7f3 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50 is-style-outline is-style-outline--5\"><a data-core-button-original-text=\"&lt;span class=&quot;has-sans-serif-font-family&quot;&gt;BACK TO TOP&lt;\/span&gt;\" id=\"core-button-6\" class=\"wp-block-button__link has-border-color has-ui-gray-light-border-color has-small-label-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"#same-sex-parents-raising-kids\" style=\"border-width:1px;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><span class=\"has-sans-serif-font-family\">BACK TO TOP<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-style-default has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-536d626b wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\">\n<h2 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;experiences-of-same-sex-couples-raising-kids&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-07840bdb8579f687514b9311a1ce44e3\" id=\"experiences-of-same-sex-couples-raising-kids\" style=\"color:#ea9e2c\">Experiences of same-sex couples raising kids<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-640-wide\"><img data-dominant-color=\"66674e\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" height=\"640\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg?w=640\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-260866 not-transparent\" style=\"--dominant-color: #66674e; object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg 2160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg?resize=1024,1024 1024w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg?resize=1536,1536 1536w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg?resize=2048,2048 2048w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg?resize=405,405 405w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg?resize=260,260 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg?resize=310,310 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg?resize=420,420 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg?resize=640,640 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg?resize=740,740 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg?resize=1400,1400 1400w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg?resize=75,75 75w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg?resize=140,140 140w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg?resize=160,160 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-05.jpg?resize=320,320 320w\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some same-sex parents described challenges they\u2019ve faced as their children have gotten older and learned more about their family. They recalled navigating conversations with their kids about how their family structure may look different from other families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Often these conversations also addressed the fact that some people are not accepting of same-sex families. As a result, a few parents said their kids are cautious in telling people about their family.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide quote-box is-style-default has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-84f137ca wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:12px;background-color:#eeede4;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-82818407 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-05ad82c4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cWe have lots of books, lots of two dad books, lots of two mom books, lots of all different types of family books to expose him to. There\u2019s a book that\u2019s called \u2018The Family Book\u2019 that he\u2019s obsessed with right now. It talks about all the different types of families, including aliens, and some families with two moms or two dads, or with just one parent. But when we get to that page, he\u2019ll be like, \u2018I have two dads.\u2019 So he\u2019s aware of that, and we talk about that all the time, especially when we\u2019re around other couples with kids. I like to point out to him, just so he\u2019s even more aware of it: \u2018Oh, this kid has two moms\u2019 or \u2018This kid has a mom and a dad.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong><strong>Father, 30s<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9c23b529 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ce90889e wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cI think she\u2019s guarded overall. <mark style=\"background-color:#f6d7aa\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Definitely guarded at school, because you don\u2019t want to risk getting bullied<\/mark> or scrutinized or have people make nasty comments. \u2026 And sometimes we go to church. &#8230; She\u2019s pretty open about it [there]. So it just depends on the environment. But I would say the place she\u2019s most guarded would be school.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong><strong>Father, 50s<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-right is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-28dd471b wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-58503c56 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201c[At school,] they\u2019d be like, \u2018Oh, is that the nanny?\u2019 And she\u2019s like, \u2018No, that\u2019s my mama.\u2019 \u2018Who\u2019s your real mom?\u2019 And she\u2019s like, \u2018She is my real mom.\u2019 We always taught her, you know, it\u2019s hard when you\u2019re a same-sex couple. Kids learn, \u2018Oh, there\u2019s a mommy and a daddy, and they have a baby.\u2019 So <mark style=\"background-color:#f6d7aa\" class=\"has-inline-color\">I always said to her, you were conceived in mommy\u2019s belly, but you were also conceived in mama\u2019s heart.<\/mark>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong><strong>Mother, 50s<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-edf8f4981c7af50280e635d2ffbabcff\" id=\"support-from-family-and-friends\" style=\"color:#ea9e2c\">Support from family and friends<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The parents we spoke to described different sources of support in their lives. Some said their parents, siblings and extended family are supportive of their same-sex relationship and their children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several parents mentioned a difficult <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2025\/05\/29\/experiences-with-coming-out-as-gay-lesbian-bisexual-or-transgender\/\">coming out process<\/a>. And some said their relationship with their parents changed over time and they became closer with their parents when they had children of their own.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide quote-box is-style-default has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-84f137ca wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:12px;background-color:#eeede4;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-right is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-28dd471b wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-05ad82c4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cI definitely felt loved and celebrated. &#8230; In general, our families are really supportive. My partner is from West Virginia and has a pretty Republican family in a lot of ways. But even they are really, really incredible with us and absolutely love the kids.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Mother, 30s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9c23b529 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-c01e50cb wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201c<mark style=\"background-color:#f6d7aa\" class=\"has-inline-color\">My parents have been our biggest advocates and biggest supporters.<\/mark> They were there for us every single moment along the journey. They were helping pay some of our adoption fees for us and all that. They were at the hospital when both of our daughters were born.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 40s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-right is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-28dd471b wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-cb43df44 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cI think for a while [my mom] struggled with me being queer, but also just being in a relationship and being married and moving away from home. I think <mark style=\"background-color:#f6d7aa\" class=\"has-inline-color\">sharing motherhood has been a highlight of our relationship,<\/mark> because now I think I understand her a little bit better. She understands me a little bit better. So that has been really good for us in our relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Mother, 20s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not all parents in a same-sex relationship feel supported by their parents or extended family. In fact, several mentioned having complicated family relationships due to their sexual orientation. Religion and politics often play a role in straining these relationships.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide quote-box is-style-default has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-84f137ca wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:12px;background-color:#eeede4;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-right is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-28dd471b wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-05ad82c4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cI have some distant family, cousins and especially the parents of those cousins that don\u2019t approve. \u2026 <mark style=\"background-color:#f6d7aa\" class=\"has-inline-color\">I basically just cut contact with people who don\u2019t accept me for who I am<\/mark> and don\u2019t accept my lifestyle or the people that I\u2019m attracted to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 20s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-82818407 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2fe83cf4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cMy oldest brother, we maybe every year say \u2018I love you\u2019 or talk for a few minutes. But <mark style=\"background-color:#f6d7aa\" class=\"has-inline-color\">my actual sister disowned me.<\/mark>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Mother, 40s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9c23b529 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a831cfa0 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201c[My partner\u2019s] family is a bit different because they were very conservative and they wanted their daughter to marry a man, and it was really important to them. So she hasn\u2019t been in contact with them for a while. I mean, she hopes she can [have] a relationship with them. I hope so, too. &#8230; They were also very religious and &#8230; they didn\u2019t want any of \u2018that\u2019 in their family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Mother, 20s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-bffe569c47d734e4716537ea4db6e3e9\" id=\"support-from-friends\" style=\"color:#ea9e2c\">Support from friends<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2025\/05\/29\/personal-experiences-with-acceptance-and-discrimination\/#acceptance-by-family-friends-and-co-workers\">Our recent survey<\/a> finds that 84% of LGBTQ adults say all or most of their friends are accepting of them. These feelings of support are reflected in what same-sex parents told us in interviews. Several parents mentioned how excited their friends were for them to become parents and how these friends made an effort to be present in this new chapter of their lives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide quote-box is-style-default has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-84f137ca wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:12px;background-color:#eeede4;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9c23b529 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6973298b wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cOur tribe, our village, our squad, whatever word you want to use. They swooped in immediately between dropping clothes off, dropping supplies off, the minute we got the call. And that has brought a sense of gratitude that I had never felt before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 30s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-right is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-28dd471b wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ce90889e wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cI know this is cliche, but <mark style=\"background-color:#f6d7aa\" class=\"has-inline-color\">our chosen family, our friends here, we\u2019ve got a really solid support system.<\/mark> So many great friends [think] of us as a family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 30s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6eb7c096297226f0e840705fb77c5d8f\" id=\"day-to-day-life-as-a-parent\" style=\"color:#ea9e2c\">Day-to-day life as a parent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like other families, same-sex parents have a variety of approaches to parenting. Some assume specific roles of the \u201cstrict\u201d versus the \u201clenient\u201d parent, while others don\u2019t stick to certain types of roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many parents we interviewed described evolving systems for splitting up everyday chores in addition to paid work and child care. For these same-sex couples, responsibilities at work often determine who takes on more child care or household duties. Preferences for certain chores or care responsibilities are also a factor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide quote-box is-style-default has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-84f137ca wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:12px;background-color:#eeede4;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-right is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-28dd471b wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4348aa16 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cWe are totally opposite. \u2026 We\u2019re both very gentle and we\u2019re both very affectionate, but I am much more stern and much more strict. So whereas they can get away with something with [my wife] maybe, or something\u2019s not caught by her, I\u2019m like, \u2018Absolutely not. We\u2019re not doing that.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Mother, 30s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9c23b529 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a831cfa0 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cPlaying off our strengths. \u2026 He was really good at putting the baby down, so he got to enjoy that at nighttime as part of his responsibility. But I wouldn\u2019t say things [are] set in stone of who does what. &#8230; <mark style=\"background-color:#f6d7aa\" class=\"has-inline-color\">I wouldn&#8217;t say we try to be a mother and father. We just try to nurture and love him and teach him.<\/mark>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 30s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-82818407 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-right is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-141b2a24 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained block-visibility-hide-small-screen prc-block-visibility__mobile\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cWe figure out the division of labor. I\u2019m the cook. He does the cleaning, does the dishes and so forth. If there\u2019s a sick day, it\u2019s usually me \u2013 because I have a more flexible work schedule \u2013 who ends up watching the kids and doing a lot more of the child care. And so we work out those systems. Now we\u2019re at the point where we schedule every two weeks a meeting to talk about, \u2018How did the last two weeks go? What are the things that we need to figure out to do the next two weeks?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 40s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-982de7f3 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50 is-style-outline is-style-outline--7\"><a data-core-button-original-text=\"&lt;span class=&quot;has-sans-serif-font-family&quot;&gt;BACK TO TOP&lt;\/span&gt;\" id=\"core-button-8\" class=\"wp-block-button__link has-border-color has-ui-gray-light-border-color has-small-label-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"#same-sex-parents-raising-kids\" style=\"border-width:1px;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><span class=\"has-sans-serif-font-family\">BACK TO TOP<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-536d626b wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\">\n<h2 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;life-in-their-neighborhood&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-482b8b947fb6670bda027632374dc46a\" id=\"life-in-their-neighborhood\" style=\"color:#949d49\">Life in their neighborhood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-640-wide\"><img data-dominant-color=\"6c6251\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" height=\"640\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg?w=640\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-260863 not-transparent\" style=\"--dominant-color: #6c6251; object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg 2160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg?resize=1024,1024 1024w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg?resize=1536,1536 1536w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg?resize=2048,2048 2048w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg?resize=405,405 405w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg?resize=260,260 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg?resize=310,310 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg?resize=420,420 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg?resize=640,640 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg?resize=740,740 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg?resize=1400,1400 1400w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg?resize=75,75 75w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg?resize=140,140 140w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg?resize=160,160 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-02.jpg?resize=320,320 320w\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Parents spoke to a diverse set of experiences when it comes to acceptance for LGBTQ families where they live. Some described feeling accepted as a family immediately. Other parents said they sometimes hesitate to even mention they have a same-sex partner to avoid uncomfortable comments or reactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many parents cited the political climate in their local community as a major factor shaping their everyday experiences as a family. Participants who see their state as restrictive on LGBTQ issues reflected on how their state\u2019s laws affect their sense of acceptance as a same-sex family. Parents who said their state has more protections for LGBTQ people perceived a sense of understanding and openness toward them and their family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, many parents painted a picture of their immediate neighborhood as friendly and welcoming. Some described their community as a \u201cbubble.\u201d They recognize their experiences as a family may not be shared by other same-sex families living in different parts of their state.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide quote-box is-style-default has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-84f137ca wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:12px;background-color:#eeede4;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9c23b529 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2fe83cf4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cI love our pediatrician. \u2026 Between the staff, the nurse, the doctor, there was no tiptoeing. It was just second nature for them to just say, \u2018All right, so which parent?\u2019 Not like, \u2018Wait, your husband?\u2019 It was just, \u2018Which parent is going to be the lead on this?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 30s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-82818407 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ec2f1679 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cI already mentioned the Methodist church is very welcoming. When we go to the grocery store, we feel kind of comfortable because it\u2019s [in a] very gay-friendly neighborhood. But I guess, when you go to the suburbs and stuff like that, when you\u2019re outside of gay-friendly neighborhoods, sometimes people kind of look at you funny once in a while. It\u2019s like you\u2019re different.\u201d &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 50s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-right is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-28dd471b wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft quote-size is-style-default has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5f014669 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201c<mark style=\"background-color:#d7dbb3\" class=\"has-inline-color\">We see same-sex couples. We have same-sex couples in our life. And so it feels good to be here and be celebrated in that way.<\/mark> At Pride they have Family Day, and so there\u2019s families out and about. And there are a lot of us. \u2026 We\u2019re around other families [in the] community, which feels good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 50s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-82818407 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a831cfa0 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cI don\u2019t even really know any other queer people in this town. I know they exist. I know that they\u2019ve got to be here somewhere. But because I also don&#8217;t feel as safe saying \u2018my wife and I\u2019 at library story time when I&#8217;m talking to the other moms, <mark style=\"background-color:#d7dbb3\" class=\"has-inline-color\">it\u2019s hard for me to know if any other queer families exist here. I haven\u2019t felt comfortable enough to disclose that about my own identity.<\/mark>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Mother, 20s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9227660c9d4d2de8ab3c8a79311ed7ec\" id=\"misconceptions-about-lgbtq-families\" style=\"color:#949d49\">Misconceptions about LGBTQ families<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We asked same-sex parents directly if they&#8217;ve experienced misconceptions about their family. Many parents say they have and described how some people have questioned their family unit. A <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2023\/09\/14\/views-of-different-family-arrangements\/\">2023 Pew Research Center survey<\/a> found that about a quarter of U.S. adults overall (26%) say a married gay or lesbian couple raising children together is unacceptable. And 28% say this about an unmarried gay or lesbian couple raising kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A few parents mentioned facing stereotypes about LGBTQ people, such as claims that LGBTQ parents actively encourage their children to be LGBTQ as well. These parents also encounter the assumption that having same-sex parents negatively impacts their children. Some shared stories about people who assumed that, because they have children, they must be straight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide quote-box is-style-default has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-84f137ca wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:12px;background-color:#eeede4;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-right is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-28dd471b wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4348aa16 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cTo me, the assumption that because we\u2019re two men, we somehow lack the ability to parent our child. And because we are public figures on social media, we get comments, people saying, \u2018Where\u2019s the mom? The child needs a mom. It&#8217;s so sad.\u2019 We get a lot of comments. It does tell me a lot about [what] the general population thinks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 40s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-82818407 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-87cb0227 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cMy husband and I would be completely fine if both the boys are straight. We\u2019re not pushing towards anything. It\u2019s completely up to them to decide about their sexuality, or they don\u2019t even have to label it. They don\u2019t even have to know. But we\u2019re not going to impose anything. <mark style=\"background-color:#d7dbb3\" class=\"has-inline-color\">I think a lot of people think that gays want to just raise more gays,<\/mark> for whatever reason. We respect people for who they are \u2013 and kids \u2013 and we respect their freedom of choice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 40s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9c23b529 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-87cb0227 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cSome people might still think that [same-sex parents are] not as good as a mom and a dad. <mark style=\"background-color:#d7dbb3\" class=\"has-inline-color\">They think that children need mom and dad, and otherwise they\u2019re going to be confused. But I don\u2019t agree with that.<\/mark> I think children need parents that love them and can take care of them. And it doesn\u2019t matter what gender they are. It doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s mom and dad, or dad and dad, or mom and mom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Mother, 20s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-right is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-28dd471b wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fd81518a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cThe first time we ever took [our baby] out in public \u2026 we went to a store just to walk around \u2026 and there was a lady. <mark style=\"background-color:#d7dbb3\" class=\"has-inline-color\">She looked at us like we were aliens walking in with a baby.<\/mark> Two men walking in with a baby. I thought her head was going to spin 360 degrees. \u2026 My favorite thing is when somebody might say to us, \u2018Oh, is it the mom\u2019s day off?\u2019 Or they might say, \u2018Dads\u2019 day out, huh? Left the wives at home.\u2019 \u2026 I just always chalk it up to people don\u2019t know. They\u2019re just not used to seeing it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 40s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-982de7f3 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50 is-style-outline is-style-outline--9\"><a data-core-button-original-text=\"&lt;span class=&quot;has-sans-serif-font-family&quot;&gt;BACK TO TOP&lt;\/span&gt;\" id=\"core-button-10\" class=\"wp-block-button__link has-border-color has-ui-gray-light-border-color has-small-label-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"#same-sex-parents-raising-kids\" style=\"border-width:1px;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><span class=\"has-sans-serif-font-family\">BACK TO TOP<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-536d626b wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\">\n<h2 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;finding-community-in-lgbtq-spaces&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-dc9b8f129f724509e3ba9b616c4dc21e\" id=\"finding-community-in-lgbtq-spaces\" style=\"color:#006699\">Finding community in LGBTQ spaces<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-640-wide\"><img data-dominant-color=\"9d836e\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" height=\"640\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg?w=640\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-260865 not-transparent\" style=\"--dominant-color: #9d836e; object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg 2160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg?resize=1024,1024 1024w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg?resize=1536,1536 1536w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg?resize=2048,2048 2048w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg?resize=405,405 405w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg?resize=260,260 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg?resize=310,310 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg?resize=420,420 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg?resize=640,640 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg?resize=740,740 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg?resize=1400,1400 1400w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg?resize=75,75 75w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg?resize=140,140 140w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg?resize=160,160 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/06\/ST_2025.6.12_LGBTQ-parents-04.jpg?resize=320,320 320w\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Parents shared a mix of opinions on how connected they feel to a <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2025\/05\/29\/community-friends-and-lgbtq-spaces\/\">broader LGBTQ community<\/a>. Some said it doesn\u2019t really play a large role in their lives. Others mentioned LGBTQ community events they regularly participate in with their family, including local <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2025\/05\/29\/about-two-thirds-of-lgbtq-adults-have-participated-in-pride-month-events\/\">Pride events<\/a> or sports leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many parents mentioned using social media to connect with other same-sex families in their area and find resources to help them navigate their path to parenthood or other aspects of family life. And a couple participants mentioned that their involvement in the LGBTQ community \u2013 especially their advocacy for LGBTQ rights \u2013 has grown since they became a parent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide quote-box is-style-default has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-84f137ca wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:12px;background-color:#eeede4;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9c23b529 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-25d7a7a8 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cWe certainly found a community of gay dads on social media that had been through some similar things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 30s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-right is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-28dd471b wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a831cfa0 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cBecause we\u2019re the LGBT parent or we\u2019re lesbians, we\u2019ve had softball girls come to us because they\u2019re wanting to come out to their mom, or things like that. So we\u2019ve gotten in touch with PFLAG [an organization that supports LGBTQ people and their families] and had them come out to our softball games and talk to the moms. <mark style=\"background-color:#c6d9ee\" class=\"has-inline-color\">We try to help in any way we can and let them know that they\u2019re not alone,<\/mark> and everything that\u2019s happening now isn\u2019t going to be that way when you get older. Just give it time. Everything\u2019s going to be OK.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Mother, 40s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9c23b529 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a831cfa0 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cI&#8217;ve become more of an advocate for the LGBT community. \u2026 <mark style=\"background-color:#c6d9ee\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Becoming a parent definitely shifted my focus and [made me] want to fight to make sure that we have our rights<\/mark> &#8230; [so that] my daughter grows up in a world where she feels protected and seen and not different.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 40s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-218b568b57bc5b8e9a080f6bab3ebe36\" id=\"politics-and-legal-challenges\" style=\"color:#006699\">Politics and legal challenges<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most LGBTQ adults think the policies of the Trump administration will have a negative impact on people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2025\/02\/26\/most-lgbtq-adults-expect-trumps-policies-to-affect-gay-lesbian-bisexual-and-trans-people-negatively\/\">according to our recent survey<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When we asked same-sex parents about their views on the political atmosphere surrounding LGBTQ issues, some expressed concern about possible changes to state law or Supreme Court decisions that could impact their marital or parental rights. These worries often vary based on the political leaning of the interviewee\u2019s home state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many spoke about steps they are taking to protect their family, including pursuing second-parent adoption and even being ready to move to a different country if needed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide quote-box is-style-default has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-84f137ca wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:12px;background-color:#eeede4;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-82818407 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4b8a5dff wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cWe have discussed if need be \u2013 which, I\u2019m hoping it doesn\u2019t ever come down to this or anything \u2013 not being in America anymore. So [we are] keeping all of our passports and all that up to date and making sure that all of our documents are ready to go in case anything does happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Mother, 30s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-right is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-28dd471b wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ce90889e wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201c[We] kind of just put off the second-parent adoption. We knew we needed to. <mark style=\"background-color:#c6d9ee\" class=\"has-inline-color\">There\u2019s been different urgency now,<\/mark> so we\u2019re working on that and trying to do that as quickly as we can.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Mother, 30s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9c23b529 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ce90889e wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cWhether things happen outside of our state, our marriage is still safe in our state. And that is very reassuring [and] is a huge thing that will probably keep us in the state. I do feel protected in the sense that you can\u2019t control individuals, but <mark style=\"background-color:#c6d9ee\" class=\"has-inline-color\">to know that your state government has your back is really, really nice at this particular moment in time.<\/mark>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Mother, 30s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-82818407 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ce90889e wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cSome of the politicians in [our state] can be very discriminatory towards the LGBT community. So it makes you feel kind of disenfranchised sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 50s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-982de7f3 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50 is-style-outline is-style-outline--11\"><a data-core-button-original-text=\"&lt;span class=&quot;has-sans-serif-font-family&quot;&gt;BACK TO TOP&lt;\/span&gt;\" id=\"core-button-12\" class=\"wp-block-button__link has-border-color has-ui-gray-light-border-color has-small-label-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"#same-sex-parents-raising-kids\" style=\"border-width:1px;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><span class=\"has-sans-serif-font-family\">BACK TO TOP<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-536d626b wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\">\n<h2 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;future-hopes-for-lgbtq-families&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-db32bc5477f85ded7556ec95b888781f\" id=\"future-hopes-for-lgbtq-families\" style=\"color:#756a7e\">Future hopes for LGBTQ families<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Same-sex parents expressed a variety of hopes for their personal future and that of the broader community. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many participants want to see protected rights for LGBTQ people, and especially for those who are transgender. Others described their hope for broader acceptance of LGBTQ families across the country, drawing on their experiences where they live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And thinking about the difficulty of building their own families, some parents shared their wishes for more accessible and affordable family planning options for same-sex couples.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide quote-box is-style-default has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-84f137ca wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:12px;background-color:#eeede4;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9c23b529 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-25d7a7a8 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cI just hope that when our children grow, they do better than what they see today. I mean, a lot has evolved. Years ago, we couldn\u2019t get married, and now we can get married and we can have children. For me, I would like to see our community grow and be more widely accepted and still not have those prejudices that they have today or the thing about two moms and two dads.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Mother, 50s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-82818407 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ce90889e wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201c<mark style=\"background-color:#c8c2cc\" class=\"has-inline-color\">I would love to see that there are benefits that allow all families to have children.<\/mark> Right now, we had to come up with $200,000. Most people can\u2019t do that. We\u2019re blessed. [I] also had to wait [until] I was 50 years old to have that kind of money. I couldn\u2019t do this in my 20s or my 30s when it would have been easier for me physically to walk with a baby.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Father, 50s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default is-content-justification-right is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-28dd471b wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignleft is-style-default quote-size has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ce90889e wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\u201cMy hopes are that in places where it may be harder \u2026 [in] states and different towns and everything where the rights of LGBTQ people aren\u2019t the same as they are here, that it can get to a point where [LGBTQ people have rights] just all across the board.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-label-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Mother, 30s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-982de7f3 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50 is-style-outline is-style-outline--13\"><a data-core-button-original-text=\"&lt;span class=&quot;has-sans-serif-font-family&quot;&gt;BACK TO TOP&lt;\/span&gt;\" id=\"core-button-14\" class=\"wp-block-button__link has-border-color has-ui-gray-light-border-color has-small-label-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"#same-sex-parents-raising-kids\" style=\"border-width:1px;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><span class=\"has-sans-serif-font-family\">BACK TO TOP<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"acknowledgments\">Acknowledgments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Pew Research Center is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts, its primary funder. This report was made possible with support from the Trusts and from the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/about\/partnerships\/\">People &amp; Voices Initiative<\/a>. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This report is a collaborative effort based on the input and analysis of the following individuals. Find related reports online at <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/topic\/gender-lgbtq\/\">pewresearch.org\/topic\/gender-lgbtq<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kim Parker, <em>Director of Social Trends Research<\/em><br>Juliana Horowitz, <em>Senior Associate Director, Research&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/em><br>Rachel Minkin,<em> Research Associate<\/em><br>Jake Hays,<em> Research Associate<\/em><br>Kiley Hurst, <em>Research Analyst&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/em><br>Dana Braga, <em>Research Analyst<\/em><br>Blen Wondimu, <em>Research Assistant<\/em><br>Shannon Greenwood, <em>Digital Production Manager&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/em><br>John Carlo Mandapat, <em>Information Graphics Designer&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/em><br>Anna Jackson, <em>Editorial Assistant&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/em><br>Julia O\u2019Hanlon, <em>Communications Manager<\/em><br>Andrew Grant, <em>Communications Associate<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, the project benefited greatly from the guidance of the PSB Insights team: Andr\u00e9 Sanabia Johnston, Amy Crosby, Griffin Andersen, and Bruce Young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Editorial guidance was provided by Rachel Drian, Associate Director, Communications; and Neha Sahgal, Vice President, Research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, we received invaluable advice in developing the study from Jaimie Kelton, host and producer of The Queer Family Podcast; Abbie Goldberg, Jan and Larry Landry University Professor, Clark University; Brad Sears, Rand Schrader Distinguished Scholar of Law and Policy, Williams Institute; Christy Mallory, Roberta A. Conroy Interim Executive Director and Legal Director, Williams Institute; Naomi Goldberg, Executive Director, Movement Advancement Project; and Lisa Diamond, Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Gender Studies, University of Utah.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Same-sex parents discuss their unique challenges and paths to parenthood, as well the support they&#8217;ve received from their families, friends and 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