How are gay parents addressed?

parents are addressed as "mom" and "dad" in straight families. But how will a child address gay parents? If i was adopted by a gay family, I think I'd feel awkward or unsure what to call them at first. My friend uses "mom" to address his biological mother, and "aunt" to address the lady that his mom is partnered with. In a male couple, would one be called "dad" and the other "uncle"? Or something else? I'd be curious to find this out.

And in cases like my friend's, where one of the biological parents chooses to "become" gay and marry another of the same sex, should that new parent try and establish a parental relationship or a more casual relationship with the child?

Supposedly, a child with gay parents does not have a greater chance of becoming gay than a child with straight parents. I buy that. I would guess that two scenarios would come into play in this situation. Either the child witnesses the habits and behaviors of his/her gay parents and sees it as normal (greater chance of being gay) or willingly accepts them even though they know these behaviors are weird. (less chance of being gay) If a child is surrounded by homosexuality, my bet is that it is almost impossible that they will turn out the same way.

How should a gay couple act around their child or children? Should one parent try and assume the role of the opposite gender as to give them a more accurate picture of appropriate gender roles in parenting? I think, as long as gay adoption is legal, that there must be some sort of mutual agreement between the couple that one will be the "mother" and the other, the "father".

Policies

Right now, most states have a lenient policy on gay adoption. Only three states- Louisiana, Mississippi, and Utah prohibit adoption by homosexual individuals and couples. Another two or three states allow gay singles to adopt, but not gay couples. All other states seemingly do not have restrictions on gay adoption. Obviously, homosexuality is a touchy topic and state governments will try and careen around it if they can. However, I think if a couple more states ban it, it could cause a domino effect and many other states will follow.

It surprises me that many of the more religious states of the south have not banned gay adoption. Devout Christians and church groups are ultra conservative in their social policies and base their beliefs in accordance with the Bible. The Bible is against homosexuality, partly because it defies the sacredness of the coming together of a man and a woman. I am not surprised that Louisiana and Mississippi, two states of the deep south, have banned gay adoption completely. I am surprised however, that other religious states, such as Kentucky and Alabama, have not followed suit. Maybe states just don't see it necessary to ban this practice, because gays will travel to another state and adopt where it is legal.

Traditional adoption consisted of babies being placed into middle class families with straight couples. I believe that's the ideal situation for a child to be put into, and that's what should still happen today. However, it seems as if the mission today is to diversify families as much as possible. I guess diversifying means placing babies and young kids with gay couples or singles. It is not always obvious if a person is gay or not and chances are, adoption agencies are placing children into the hands of gay singles either without knowledge of sexual orientation, or because they are afraid of being accused of discriminating against gays. Either way, adoption agencies should put the needs of the kids first, just as parents should. Would a child really grow and prosper in a gay household? Or would they be in a much more favorable situation in a middle class, "average" American family?

"Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve"

God's first human creations were a man and a woman. This was not a coincidence. Adam and Eve represent God's intended coming together of man and woman. i do not believe he envisioned the coming together of "Adam and Steve."

By becoming a homosexual, you must become acquainted with the fact that you are different. I say "becoming" a homosexual because homosexuality is not something destined for someone at birth. It's a decision the person makes either during adolescence or adulthood.The norm in society is to be heterosexual; it allows you to marry someone of the opposite gender, and have children of your own.  Homosexuals should not be entitled to the right of raising a family or adopting children of their own like straight couples are, being that they are different. They comprise a small, unusual minority of the population and should maintain low profile lives living with their significant other or by themselves. We do not want to know what goes on in their relationship, or furthermore what it is like for a child to live with gay or lesbian parents. Better for them to not adopt at all then adopt a child and risk ruining them emotionally and socially.