Spring Break
Editorial: Gay adoption is not morally wrong
Issue date: 4/11/02 Section: Commentary
The issue of whether or not homosexuals should be allowed to adopt has been recently brought to the forefront by actress and TV host Rosie O'Donnell's publicly "coming out." O'Donnell is a mother of adopted children, and is in a relationship with another woman. O'Donnell has explained to her children that they have "two mommies," as she has stated publicly in an interview with journalist Diane Sawyer.
After her announcement and defense of gay adoption, O'Donnell was publicly chastised and supported by different groups simultaneously. Many outspoken critics denounced gay adoption as sin, and warned of perceived dangers for children of homosexual couples. Many spoke in the news and on radio commentary programs, taking the position that children growing up in a home in which the parents are homosexual would put them at risk of "turning gay." They also warned of the persecution children would face if their peers knew they had homosexual parents.
These arguments, and the others presented, were and are nothing more than a veiled attempt to preserve what many view as the traditional family- a mother, father and children. This is done as a result of ignorance pertaining to homosexuality, and a bias against gays because of their sexual orientation. This makes the opposition bigots. Whether it is intentional or not, its effects are damaging to those who can and should be given the choice as to whether or not they want to take on the responsibility of caring for a human being- and raising that human to be the best he or she can be. This aspect of being a good parent stems from love, and has absolutely nothing to do with sexual orientation. Whether a woman loves a man, or another woman has no bearing on what kind of mother she can be. The same goes for men. The love a parent has for a child is so dynamic and special, that as long as a person is willing to invest the time and effort to teach, love and cherish a child, that person should be encouraged to take on that responsibility.
After her announcement and defense of gay adoption, O'Donnell was publicly chastised and supported by different groups simultaneously. Many outspoken critics denounced gay adoption as sin, and warned of perceived dangers for children of homosexual couples. Many spoke in the news and on radio commentary programs, taking the position that children growing up in a home in which the parents are homosexual would put them at risk of "turning gay." They also warned of the persecution children would face if their peers knew they had homosexual parents.
These arguments, and the others presented, were and are nothing more than a veiled attempt to preserve what many view as the traditional family- a mother, father and children. This is done as a result of ignorance pertaining to homosexuality, and a bias against gays because of their sexual orientation. This makes the opposition bigots. Whether it is intentional or not, its effects are damaging to those who can and should be given the choice as to whether or not they want to take on the responsibility of caring for a human being- and raising that human to be the best he or she can be. This aspect of being a good parent stems from love, and has absolutely nothing to do with sexual orientation. Whether a woman loves a man, or another woman has no bearing on what kind of mother she can be. The same goes for men. The love a parent has for a child is so dynamic and special, that as long as a person is willing to invest the time and effort to teach, love and cherish a child, that person should be encouraged to take on that responsibility.