Lesbians and Gay Men

Mothers, Fathers, Daughters, Sons, Brothers, Sisters, Grandfathers, Grandmothers….

GLRL has recently produced two important publications on parenting:
Meet the Parents: A Review of the Research on Lesbian and Gay Families (2002) A comprehensive international review of 25 years of research into lesbian and gay parenting written by respected researcher, Jenni Millbank, of the University of Sydney on behalf of GLRL. It shows convincingly that the children of lesbian and gay parents do not demonstrate any important differences in development, happiness, peer relations or adjustment from those of heterosexual parents.

GLRL's Gay and Lesbian Parenting Consultation Report (2001) looked at the needs and problems facing lesbian and gay families and was based on consultations conducted with gay and lesbian parents in Sydney.

More information on adoption

Gay men and lesbians can now legally adopt children as individuals but cannot adopt as a couple due to the provisions of the Adoption Act 2000. In 1993 and subsequently in 1994 GLRL made 2 submissions to the NSW Law Reform Commission review into the law and practice relating to adoption. The second report, The Law and Practice Relating to the Adoption of Children in NSW, incorporated and developed many of the ideas in the original submission. Following this the Law Reform Commission produced a generally favourable report. Unfortunately, the Carr Government ignored this aspect of its recommendations in changing the law in 2000. The provisions of the Adoption Act make it impossible for same sex couples to adopt in NSW even if this is in the best interests of the child. This move was condemned at the time in a GLRL press release. In contrast, Western Australia changed its laws in 2002 to ensure same sex couples could adopt and children could have their relationship with both parents recognised.

It's time the law changed in NSW too and adoption is set to become one of the big issues for us in the run-up to the 2003 state election and beyond.

More information on donor insemination

The Inner City Community Legal Centre has prepared a booklet, Talking Turkey, which addresses many of the legal questions which arise for all parties when donor insemination is used. Individuals may also wish to consult a lawyer.