Thanks to those whom responded to the survey. I received almost 200 responses. They were included in an informational seminar concerning lesbian parents. To those of the people who commented on the ambiguous nature of question three, I apologize. I left it open in an attempt to not offend anybody. However, as I was reading the responses, I was happy to notice that this question often provided some of the best answer. By leaving the question open to be defined by the reader, I was able to get a better feel of their views. I guess that sometimes it is good to be politically correct.The survey results are posted below. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. -Chris P.S. For the people whom commented on the anonymity of the responders, I urge you to feel confident that this is not any ploy to gain information on people. Just research. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- 1.Do You have Children? Yes NO ON THE WAY 43% 44% 13% 2.Do you know any Homosexuals? Yes NO Do Not Know 92% 3% 5% 3.Do you agree in "personal lifestyle choices"? Yes No Don't Understand 86% 4% 10% Highlights: IF "personal lifestyle choices" refers to choosing one's sexaul orientation, then, yes, I do. IF this phrase refers to non-heterosexual couples' decision to adopt and raise children, then I do, so long as the home is safe and nurturing for the children. IF this phrase refers to women's biological ability to become pregnant, and then to bear children that they will raise, or give up for adoption, then my opinion on "personal lifestyle choice" is irrelevant -- these women can, and should be able to do this without interference from public authority and opinion. What on earth does that mean? I believe a gay person has the right to be gay, without being molested. However, I believe that whether one is gay or not gay is probably biological, and completely out of their control. If on the other hand you are refering to Dan Qualye's wierd-o-rama statement about Murphy Brown, then I believe thats ok too. There are a lot of single parent households that are doing just fine, and there are a lot of two parent households that are not doing fine at all. What other people do with their genitalia generally doesn't concern me except on those cases where it can be matched with what I do with my genitalia. I am not convinced that it is accurate to describe sexuality as a "lifestyle" or a "choice." Even if I were, I don't know what it means to agree with it 4.Do you believe that Homosexuals, Lesbians in Particular are able to be good parents. Yes No Don't Know 89% 9% 2% 5.Why or Why not to question 4. Highlights: I don't consider homosexuals or heterosexuals morally better or worse, so their sexually status has no bearing on their parenting. When I see parents, I wonder just how many of us, of any persuasion really want to BE parents, or even think about the way we are parenting. I believe a good parent is based upon the love and care of the child, not the love and care or choice of partner. Certainly. A person's sexual orientation has nothing to do with their parenting skills. This question is a kin to "Do you think women can play the piano?" Of course! No, I've briefly listed my reasons below: 1. I believe a child needs both a male and female role model. They can not get that with a homosexual couple. I resent the claim of lesbians that their children "don't need" a father. Father's are most than "sperm donors". 2. I would be worried that their parents "life style" choices would influence their childrens choices later in life. If they reach adulthood and decided they want to be lesbians, that fine. I just don't want them led to that choice. I think that lesbians tend to have more stable relationships than homosexuals, so more of them could be fit parents. BUT the determination of who is a good parent should be based solely on their individual characteristics and not their group association (lesbian, black, white, Christian, etc.). They seem to me to be as able as anyone else. No more and no less. Clearly, no one should have a child that they do not want or love. Many people bring up the example of militant lesbians who have an irrational hatred of men bringing up boy children - certainly the fact that the mother hates all males would be a limiting factor in her ability to be a good parent to that child, but it is not her lesbianism that makes this limitation, it is her hatred. Similarly, a man, heterosexual or not, who hates girls and women is not a good candidate to be a father to a girl. Passing on hatred to the next generation is a bad thing, regardless of the group hated or the person doing the hating. They are able just as everyone is able. They *might* even be better because of the scruitiny they would receive from society. They might be more self-aware and less likely to live an unexamined life than most 'parents'. I believe that humans in general are questionable parent. However, there is no other choice (after all, Tarzan is not real). Perhaps the best choice for parenting would be the wisdom of grandparents instilled in a very patient professor. I believe they are as clueless as parents as any heterosexual is. In other words yes, like heterosexuals - they love, hate, argue, divorce, share, nurture cheat, teach ... on and on. A mother's love for a child is the same regardless of how she deals with other parts of her life. In the lesbian couple that I know best, I am unable to discern any shortcomings as individuals or as a couple which could have negative consequences for the child they are raising. The child is well-loved, well-looked-after, well-adjusted, and happy. Homosexuals of whatever stripe may be good parents individually; but that is not the same thing as giving a child a father and a mother. Plainly, the latter is best. Children should come first in family matters, and IMHO, the law should reflect this. I have a real problem with homosexual couples adopting children, or lesbians inseminating themselves to have a child. Children need adults around to show them how adults get along with each other, and most particularly, how adults of the opposite sex get along with each other. A gay family environment would not only preclude this, it would also omit much stability. In my experience, gay couplings are much less stable than heterosexual married couples. To paraphrase Shylock in _merchant of Venice_ Are Lesbians not women? Do we not feel maternal urges like women? If you stick us, do we not bleed? to quote Kanu Reaves in _parenthood_, "They make you take a test for a driver's liscence, but any butt-reaming asshole can be a father." Most lesbians go out of their way to conceive; it is a planned act, one which they have considered and weighed very carefully. They provide to the best of their ability for a wanted child, and love the child dearly. 6. What type of background are you from? (i.e. traditional, single-parent, orphan...) Traditional Single-Parent Adopted Other 79% 18% 1% 1%