Documentary explores gay adoption

Existing scholarly research shows little difference in the way single-sex and heterosexual couples raise their children.

Why then is gay adoption still such a controversial issue?

About 20 members of the IU community explored this issue at the screening and discussion of the documentary “Daddy and Papa” on Monday at the La Casa Latino Cultural Center.

The film by Johnny Symons follows four gay families trying to adopt children and the challenges of parenting. The film shed light on the issues of religion and acceptance, the foster care system and the racial politics of adoption.

Mary Gray of the communications and culture department led a conversation after the screening and debunked common myths about gay adoption.

Gray said that according to the 2000 census, there are currently about 250,000 adopted children living in single-sex, two-parent households in the United States. Gray said that existing scholarly research shows almost no differences in how children turn out coming from gay and heterosexual families, apart from more accepting attitudes toward different lifestyles.

“The only real difference is that kids with same-sex parents are harassed at school at the same level as gay kids,” Gray said. She added that boys often have a tougher time than girls because they are teased more.

Despite gay and lesbian couples wanting to bring children into loving homes, Gray said the adoption process is difficult for them because of stereotypes and a rigorous screening process.
Regulations on gay adoption differ by state according to state civil union laws, Gray said.
Because gay couples often adopt older minority children that linger in the foster care system, these families also face the challenge of how to keep their children connected to their communities while creating a new life as a family, she said.

Freshman AnaTeresa Bagatella said the event gave her a new perspective on single-sex adoptions.

“I think it was very heartwarming,” Bagatella said. “It’s great to know that gay couples are more able to adopt than ever, and it shows that gay couples are just like heterosexual couples.”

Jose Del Real, Lambda Upsilon Lambda’s vice president, said the film screening was part of the fraternity’s week of events following the theme “You Are a Superhero!”

“One of our fraternity brothers saw the documentary and brought up the topic of gay adoption as an issue neglected in society and within the Latino community,” Del Real said.

Gray said she has never led a discussion like this on campus and commended Lambda Upsilon Lambda for being community leaders in bringing this topic to the table.

“No matter what society thinks, a kid growing up in a gay or lesbian household loves their parents,” Gray said. “You can’t choose your family, and supporting these kids and families is more effective than demonizing them.”