Psychology

(How) Does It Make a Difference? Perspectives of Adults With Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Parents

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Few studies have addressed the experiences or perceptions of adult children of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) parents. In this study, 46 adult children of LGB parents were interviewed, and their perceptions of how growing up with LGB parents influenced them as adults were examined. Qualitative analysis revealed that adults felt that they were more tolerant and open minded and had more flexible ideas about gender and sexuality as a function of growing up with LGB parents. Participants often felt protective of their parents and the gay community, and some went to great efforts to defend them to peers, family members, and society. Some participants struggled with issues of trust in adulthood, which they related to the experience of their parents' unexpected coming out, as well as to experiences of teasing and bullying. The importance of understanding these findings in the context of societal heterosexism is discussed. © 2007 American Psychological Association.

Publication Title

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry

Publication Date

10-1-2007

Volume

77

Issue

4

First Page

550

Last Page

562

ISSN

0002-9432

DOI

10.1037/0002-9432.77.4.550

Keywords

children, gay, gender, lesbian, parents

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS