Errors by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the National Educational Association in Representing Homosexuality in Amicus Briefs about Amendment 2 to the U.S. Supreme Court

Abstract

In October 1995, consortiums of psychiatric and educational profes sional organizations, including the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association and the National Educational Association, submitted amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court asserting that the scientific literature unequivocally supports the following propositions (a) that homosexuals, including homosexual teachers, do not disproportionately molest children, (b) that children of homosexual patients are not more likely to become homosexuals, (c) that professionals agree that homosexuality is not a pathology, and (d) that homosexual attractions are biologically or genetically predetermined and are therefore beyond the control of the individual. The first two contentions are inconsistent with the scientific literature, and the second two grossly oversimplify a contentious and uncertain literature.

(How) Does the Sexual Orientation of Parents Matter?

“…Few respectable scholars today oppose such parenting. However, a few psychologists subscribe to the view that homosexuality represents either a sin or a mental illness and continue to publish alarmist works on the putative ill effects of gay parenting (e.g., Cameron, Cameron, and Landess 1996). Even though the American Psychological Association expelled Paul Cameron, and the American Sociological Association denounced him for willfully misrepresenting research (Cantor 1994;Herek 1998Herek , 2000, his publications continue to be cited in amicus briefs, court decisions, and policy hearings.…”

Parenting in Planned Lesbian Families

“…Opponents of lesbian parenting claim that the children of lesbian parents run the risk of developing a variety of behavior problems, because they are raised fatherless and/or because they lack a biological tie with one of the mothers (Blankenhorn, 1995;Cameron, Cameron, & Landess, 1996;Wardle, 1997). Advocates of same-sex marriages and lesbian parenthood rely on the few studies that have been conducted with planned lesbian families.…”

“…Arguments against lesbian parenting have focused on the absence of a father, the homosexual orientation of the mother, and their negative consequences on the development of the children (Blankenhorn, 1995;Cameron, Cameron, & Landess, 1996;Wardle, 1997). Research on parenting and child rearing has repeatedly compared lesbian and heterosexual families, and in the last 30 years a growing body of studies on lesbian parents and the development of their children has been published.…”

L’homoparentalité et la transparentalité au prisme des sciences sociales : révolution ou pluralisation des formes de parenté ?

“…Des auteurs opposés à l'homoparentalité mettent en avant les biais relevés dans les études existantes pour leur retirer tout crédit (Cameron et al, 1996 ;Wardle, 1997 ;Regnerus, 2012). La même exigence scientifique devrait toutefois s'imposer pour les études qui montreraient que les enfants des couples homosexuels vont moins bien que les autres.…”