Children in LGBT families of color face double stigma

By Zerlina Maxell, TheGrio

A new report shows that children in LBGT families of color face higher levels of discrimination and stigma. “LGBT Families of Color: Facts at a Glance” is co-authored by the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, the National Latina/o Lesbian, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT), the Human Rights Organization (UNID@S), the Fighting Injustice to Reach Equality (FIRE) initiative, the Family Equality Council, the Movement Advancement Project and the Center for American Progress.

The report outlines the challenges that children face simply because they have two parents of the same gender. Outdated laws are to blame for the disparate impact on these children.

Generally, LGBT couples who have children are considered de facto parents, where in many instances only one parent has a legal or biological tie to the child. Current laws make it quite difficult for the non-biological parent to adopt the child.

According to the report, these outdated laws, “undermine families’ economic strength by denying access to safety net programs, family tax credits and health insurance simply because families do not fit within expected norms. Antiquated laws can leave children destitute when parents who lack legal ties die or become disabled. These laws can also wrest children away from parents when custody is awarded based on inflexible definitions of family as opposed to what is in the best interest of the child. Children of color, in particular, are more likely to be raised in diverse family configurations that include de facto parents and are more likely to be raised by LGBT parents.”

The original article details the report.

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