All Families Are Special: Experiences of Lesbian-Parented Families

Abstract

This study explores the lived experiences of members of lesbian-parented families incorporating a systemic perspective to include both the voices of mothers and their young children. Eight whole-family interviews were conducted with lesbian couples with at least one child in elementary school (aged 5-11). Six themes emerged from the study: intentionality in finding places to live and travel, having children, and having discussions with their children; views of themselves as advocates and being "out" in their communities; noticing how times are changing; identifying assumptions as a two-way street; perceptions of gender surrounding parenting and the salience of various identities; and the dialectical tension between wanting to be perceived as normal and wanting to acknowledge their uniqueness. Clinical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

A Systematic and Meta-Analytic Review of Identity Centrality among LGBTQ Groups: An Assessment of Psychosocial Correlates

“…In contrast, having a less central LGBTQ identity may also be explained by the situational salience of other identities. For instance, as explained by Gall et al (2019) and Goldberg et al (2019), some participants reported less central bisexual and lesbian identities when they became parents. These participants adjusted the evaluations of their self-concept through the primary lens of parenthood, rather than sexuality.…”

“Always Thinking About Safety”: African American Lesbian Mothers’ Perceptions of Risk and Well‐being

“…Children from lesbian parent families often have a similar or higher degree of well‐being and personal growth than heterosexual families (Fedewa et al, 2014; Manning et al, 2014). Some lesbian parents demonstrate intentionality in discussing LGBTQ+ issues and discrimination with their children, to help them build resilience (Gall et al, 2019).…”