Youth & Family

Should gay people be allowed to adopt one another's children?

Yes. The truth is that twenty-five years of social science research studying the outcomes of children raised by lesbian or gay parents uniformly concludes that these children are just as happy, healthy and well-adjusted as their peers.

Do same-sex couples have children in Wisconsin?

Yes, there are many children living with same-sex parents. There are many ways to become a parent whether through previous marriages, adoption, foster care, surrogacy as well as many other ways.

Do same-sex families have the same rights as heterosexual families?

No. Wisconsin does not allow same-sex couples to jointly adopt children, nor to adopt one another's children. In Wisconsin, appellate courts have ruled that the state adoption law does NOT permit second-parent adoption if the parents are a same-sex couple. Not being able to adopt children as co-parents for same-sex couples also prevents children from being insured as legal dependents.

Can LGBT people be good parents?

Yes. All of the major child welfare organizations affirm that gay and lesbian parents are just as likely as heterosexual parents to provide supportive, healthy homes.

"The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes that a considerable body of professional literature provides evidence that children with parents who are homosexual can have the same advantages and the same expectations for health, adjustment, and development, as can children whose parents are heterosexual."

Is the child of gay parents legally vulnerable?

Yes. In Wisconsin, children who have same-sex parents, may be forced into the foster system, or loose visitation rights with their other parent if something happens to their one legal parent.

If a parent dies who was not allowed to adopt their son or daughter like in Wisconsin where second parent adoption is not allowed, the child will not receive social security benefits for their support.

Why do children in Wisconsin need laws that protect their family structure?

"Children deserve to know that their relationships with both of their parents are stable and legally recognized. This applies to all children, whether their parents are of the same or opposite sex. When two adults participate in parenting a child, they and the child deserve the serenity that comes with legal recognition, according to American Academy of Pediatrics Policy statement issued Feb. 4, 2002.

Can a teenager be gay?

Yes. Learning that your child is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) can be a difficult process for parents. Even parents who consider themselves accepting of LGBT people can react harshly to their own child's coming out.

Families Supporting an LGBT Child (PDF)