Question about same-sex parenting...(SEE BELOW BEFORE ANSWERING, CRAZY-PANTS)?
610400
I'm going to be Momma, and my girlfriend will be Mommy.  When they get older, we'll have to see if they want to use Mom for one or both of us and let them decide what they like. \n\nChidlren who grow up in same sex households just get used to being specific when they're calling their parents.  It really is the least of one's problems with same sex parenting.
1133679
I agree with Kristin, but I am a little confused as to why this hasn't been address previously. If you are babysitting, or taking care of the child, then it is perfectly fine to set guidelines, and to tell her no, or to put her in timeout, or take toys,etc away. However, unless you are told it's ok by her mother, I would not spank the girl. Also, I would recommend talking to the mother and your son in private, not in front of the child, to find out what, if any, kind of discipline happens at home. I also would be highly offended and incredibly angry if the matter was brought up in front of my kids. I do think that you have the right to an opinion, I mean I respect my mother's ( who am I kidding, I am my mother, lol), and if they are to marry, you will need to know as her presence will be a permanent one.
607526
NO''''''''''''''''''''''' are you out of your mind.\nalthough I respect gays but think about that child when he or she grow up.\n2 dad or 2 mun.or shameful\nbe reasonable.
899023
Obviously, kindergarten teachers should not be teaching about the actual sexual intercourse between same-sex partners, just as the they should not be teaching about intercourse of heterosexual partners. Sex Ed should not begin at school when they are that agem for sure. So that is not even part of the question. Its just common sense.\n\nAs for the idea of homosexual partners, its a reality. Whether you think it is wrong or not, it is still happening. A common theme for that age of children would be "Familes". Just as you would hopefully tell children that a single parent and his or her children is a family, I hope you would also tell them that a child with two moms or two dads is a family. \n\nYes, some religions are against same-sex relationships. But that doesnt mean that children should be taught intolerance. If anything, it would be up to the child's family to pass on their beliefs. There are also some religions which are against divorce, but that doesn't mean that you should tell your students that divorce is wrong, and that little Suzie's stepmother isn't part of her family because she didn't give birth to her. \n\nSchool is meant to prepare students for the world. This means that they need to know what to expect, and they also need to be accepting and nonjudgmental. \n\nIt seems to me like you are offended by the truth that same-sex couples exist, and by calling that practice "garbage", and refusing to allow this topic in your classroom, you are the one who is squashing freedom.
891285
You're right it is amazing how all these hetero couples have managed to raise gay children. That should give people a clue but it doesn't seem to. There is not a thing wrong with gay people raising children. Love is what a child needs it doesn't matter to them if you are gay or not.
1082126
I think you have put to much thought into this. They are not exactly evil, although you are right about one thing. It is wrong. I think only men and women should do that kind of stuff. If they adopt kids, then their kids have a chance of being gay also. If they refuse to be with the opposite gender, then, they should not pass it on. Before you know it, we might all be gay if they do decide to adopt kids. They should at least let their kids know that what they do is wrong.
926826
Cookie, I know what your talking about. And I believe that the coming out experience for some people are much different than for others.  Perhaps for some it was hard for them to be accepted at home, so they are out in public. Some actually hid for so many years that coming out is like a rebirth to them and their excited and it's like a new life for them. They can finally be free and not enslaved by being closeted any longer.  I don't think that some homosexuals really care who we think they have sex with. They know that straight people have questions and some are very helpful in answering our questions. Yes I am straight. But I have a gay son.  And I also have a straight son, that equals two great kids! What I can tell you is that it is a process that a family goes through. There are different stages that a gay person and their family goes through. And this is evident in their behavior when they become relaxed and can be themselves. I hope this helped abit. I am a PFLAG Mom. Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. If you had more questions you can email PFLAG and they will be more than happy to answer your question.
1154619
As someone who has researched this for personal reasons, I can tell you that US court precedents do not recognize sex changes for the purpose of marriage. The 'logic' is that DNA determines sex, not sexual organs. Personally, I disagree with that.\n\nIs the relationship still a homosexual one? Probably, but if you prefer MtF transsexuals, you should not let something as meaningless as labels bother you.
713758
Hmmm?\n\nI don't know that I see the problem.  What's your son going to think when he gets old enough to realize?  He's going to think "Daddy likes to wear girl's clothes.", or, if the sex change has already happened by then, then he'll have another mommy, I'm assuming.  Neither one is going to scar the kid, or even really affect him.  If he grows up knowing that there's nothing wrong or weird with his dad doing that, then he won't think anything of it (so long as the outside world doesn't know and tease him about it).  It'll just be one of the things daddy does, like mommy liking to put on her sweatpants to do the laundry or something similar, you know- just a little idiosyncracy.  And so long as he sees/understands that other men don't necessarily do it, he won't go raiding your closet (unless of course he wants to, which, in that case, you can't change it).  He'll grow up fine and healthy- just approach this with reason and rationality and show your son that you love him and your family is normal.\n\nGood luck!
786675
A few things off the top of my head -\n\n1) Don't permit anti-LGBT language or jokes.  Speak up when bigotry is expressed, just as you would do against sexism and racism.\n\n2) Teach your children and family that hate is not a family value.  Teach them that variety is what makes humans so fascinating.  Different is just different, not better or worse than "normal."\n\n3) Join PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and campaign for equal rights.  They are also an excellent support group for those who are LGBT-friendly.\n\n4) Don't forget to speak up against bigotry even in your house of worship.  Unfortunately, some hate teaching can go on here as well.\n\nGood for you for standing up for equal rights!  You're welcome at my Thanskgiving table anytime, as I give thanks for people like you.
510957
Yes- parenting or at least some kind of child development or child psych... combined with a sex ed- at least the part about efectiveness of various kinds of birth control and info about STD's.... like "Abstinance is the only sure way to avoid all STD's, including pregnancy..." or "A 5-yr-old is egocentric. She thinks that her behavior and actions are the cause of everything else happening..." and so on...\n\nAnother answer mentioned homosexuals lack of need for this type of education- if they choose to adopt, aren't they still parents? Aren't they still responsible to love and teach those children?\n\nMany people are placed in a parental role, not always by choice. I don't think anyone can get through life without contact with children- their own offspring, nieces/nephews, grandchildren, the neighbor kids, babysitting, etc. Understanding how kids at different ages think is vital for these relationships.\n\nI am not a parent, but my church has asked that I care for and supervise the little ones while their parents are in their classes. These children are between 18 months and 3 yrs old. I am grateful for what I know about children. Because of my college human development classes, I know what to expect from these kids- behavior, attention span, etc.\n\nNo, the public school system is not very well equiped to, nor should they teach ethics, but they can teach statistics, trends, and the typical development of infants, children and teens.
1041186
Gays shouldn't be alowed to raise children.  The freaking world is hard enough without having to determine if they have two mommies or two daddies.  Talk about confusing. Jesus, this is a sick world we live in.
574001
I think that because it's a very tight-knit family it is hard. You always aim to make your parents proud, and hispanics grow up in a religious, Catholic setting in most instances. I know growing up that there were extreme homophobic undertones at most family gatherings. When my cousin came out as bi they were extremely nice to her face but were so cruel behind her back and told their children to stay away. You can usually sense the dislike there and family especially extended family seems so much closer and in your business, they tell your parents things and try to get you to straighten up their kids. One uncle asked me, "How many girlfriends do you have in college?" I said, "None." and his reply: "You're not becoming a fag are you?" Just too machismo.
814810
I do not understand how a persons sexual preference has anything to do with the upbringing of children.  \n\nI am not gay, but my sexual preference being with my husband has nothing to do with how we raise our son.\n\nIf our son is gay, would we then be expelled as parents and have our child handed over to a gay couple?  Would they not be best to raise my son if he is gay and they are gay?  I am hetersexual so therefore I would only be given permission by society to bring up my heterosexual son but not a gay son?  \n\nPlease I do not understand this judgement.  I know that to be gay you are born gay.  The time the gay person takes to determine their sexual preference would be the same as a heterosexual takes to determine their own.  We mature at different rates or our morals and beliefs may hinder us from making any decision choosing to remain single for life, all because of anothers judgements.  I fail to see how this influences criminal behaviour.  If gays were so criminal then our prisons would only be filled with gays.  Not so. \n\nNo person can influence a sexual preference, but yes can certainly influence sexual behaviour.  Big difference I would say.  Many have been manipulated in to believing that they were gay when in fact they were not.  This is just another victim of self and then society.  We have choices, and being heterosexual or gay does not change the human factor of these choices.  We are who we are being not who we are doing.\n\nBlessings be yours in peace and light\nHarriett Potty ;)
807444
A big yes! They should comply with the guide lines that they can offer a stable home, personal references and the desire to raise a child. What difference does it make if they are of the same sex. \n\nI know several people who grew up with gay parents & none of them are gay. There are to many children who need homes. If someone is loving enough and able to care for them, why not let them.
407978
I have five children and do not care if they are gay or straight, but will love them no matter what.  This means that I value my children higher than or at least equally as much as myself.\n\n"This kind of love is rare, because not many would find something so desirable that the object itself is more valuable than their desire for it."\n\n***robert_delahunt needs to find God!***
198559
YES! YES! NO!\n\nI don't understand this witch hunt that seems to be going on against gays.  And that's what it is... they get one right taken away after another... after the 'ban of marriage' succeeded, now, people are going after their right to adopt children.  What's next?!  Their right to breathe our air?!\n\nThis is a huge hot spot with me. I'm not gay, but I believe in EVERYONEs rights.  They aren't criminals, they have a different life style, and they should not be punished for that.  I mean, they can't help the way they feel... that's just the way you are born.  And WHAT HARM is it doing anyone if they get married, or adopt children?  It's actually doing the adopted child a favor, they'll have a loving family.  A lot of times gay couples will adopt children that other (straight) couples won't adopt because they're too old, or have behavioral problems or what not.  Are we going to punish this child by making them NOT have a home until they are old enough to go off on our own, JUST so we can punish someone for being gay?\n\nAnd as far as I know, the children that they have would NOT be confused.  They'd be well adjusted, and learn to be more TOLERANT towards others who are different.\n\nI could go on for a while about this, but I won't.  I'm afraid to see what all the other answers will be though... sigh.\n\n(but I just submitted and looked at other responses and was so far pleasantly surprised.  Thanks guys!)