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Marriage and Family Issues for LGBT People

APA Resolutions

  • Marriage Equality for Same-Sex Couples
    The APA calls on state governments to repeal all measures that deny same-sex couples the right to civil marriage and to enact laws to provide full marriage equality to same-sex couples. The APA also calls on the federal government to extend full recognition to legally married same-sex couples, and to accord them all of the rights, benefits, and responsibilities that it provides to legally married different-sex couples. Adopted by the APA Council of Representatives on August 3-5, 2011.

  • Sexual Orientation and Marriage 
    APA is committed to ending the minority stress, social stigma, prejudice, discrimination and violence against lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals through our leadership, practice, research, education and training. Adopted by the APA Council of Representatives July 28 & 30, 2004.

  • Sexual Orientation, Parents and Children 
    APA is committed to ending the discrimination based on sexual orientation against lesbian and gay parents in matters of adoption, child custody and visitation, foster care and reproductive health services through our leadership, practice, research, education and training. Adopted by the APA Council of Representatives July 28 & 30, 2004.

  • Child Custody or Placement
    The sex, gender identity or sexual orientation of natural, or prospective adoptive or foster parents should not be the sole or primary variable considered in custody or placement cases. Adopted by the APA Council of Representatives on September 2 & 5, 1976.

  • Transgender, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression Non-Discrimination
    APA is committed to ending the prejudice and discrimination based on demographic characteristics including gender identity and expression and urges the repeal of discriminatory laws through our leadership, practice, research, education, training and collaboration with other organizations. Adopted by the American Psychological Association Council of Representatives August, 2008.

APA Amicus Briefs

APA has filed a number of briefs in contested child custody cases involving lesbian or gay parents, in second parent adoption cases for same-sex couples and in cases related to marriage rights for same-sex couples.

Other Resources

APA

  • Lesbian and Gay Parenting
    Includes a summary of research findings on lesbian mothers, gay fathers and their children; an annotated bibliography of the published psychological literature; and additional resources relevant to lesbian and gay parenting.

  • Marriage Equality and LGBT Health (PDF, 100KB)
    This fact sheet highlights empirical evidence that illustrates the harmful psychological effect of policies restricting marriage rights for same-sex couples.

  • Watch the Invited Address by Evan Wolfson at APA's 2010 Annual Convention—"2020 Vision: Winning the Freedom to Marry this Decade"

Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
U.S. Health and Human Services

  • Child Welfare Information Gateway connects child welfare and related professionals to comprehensive information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families.

Reports

 

Research