In several of my posts, I have spoken of studies about gays and lesbians as parents, and the effects of home-life on gay and lesbian youth. This post is a bibliography of recent research on these subjects. I have grouped related articles and categorized them for people. I have also included some studies on pediophilia for Dave and others that think this might be an issue. I should note that I do not consider this to be a complete bibliography. It is what a couple of searches turned up at a local library. Also, the articles described do not necessarily deal with adoption per se. They deal with gays and lesbians as parents, and their fitness, and the effect on parents learning their children are gay. *GAY AND LESBIAN PARENTS* TITLE: Parenting in gay and lesbian families. AUTHOR(S): Turner, Pauline H. AFFILIATION: U New Mexico, Albuquerque, US SOURCE: Journal of Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy 1990 Vol 1(3) 5566 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Interviewed 10 single gay fathers (aged 29-43 yrs) and 11 single lesbian mothers (aged 32-44 yrs). Data were consistent with other studies (e.g., M. Harris and P. Turner; see PA, Vol 74:21804) of gay parents and their children. Ss consistently reported that their homosexuality had not caused longterm problems for their children. Most Ss reported overall positive relationships with their children and strong parentchild bonds. Compared with fathers, mothers were more economically depressed, experienced greater role strain, and reported poorer relationships with exspouses. Mothers also reported more difficulty reconciling their gay and parent roles than did fathers. TITLE: Children of gay and lesbian parents. AUTHOR(S): Gottman, Julie S. AFFILIATION: Seattle Professional Practice Inst, Bellevue, WA, US SOURCE: Marriage & Family Review 1989 Vol 14(3-4) 177-196 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Reviews research literature on children of homosexual (HS) parents, including comparisons with children of heterosexual parents. CHILDREN OF HS PARENTS DID NOT APPEAR DEVIANT IN GENDER IDENTITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, OR SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT. Issues that emerged during their upbringing related more to society's rejection of homosexuality than to poor parent- child relationships. Most social adjustment problems occurred in both groups and were commonly related to family history of divorce. Results are supported by J. Schwartz's (unpublished manuscript) investigation of the above variables in adult-aged daughters in relation to mothers' sexual orientations, with a focus on role modeling theory. TITLE: Gay parents and their children: A review of research and practical implications. AUTHOR(S): Cramer, David. AFFILIATION: San Marcos Treatment Ctr, TX SOURCE: Journal of Counseling & Development 1986 Apr Vol 64(8) 504-507 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Explores the problems and benefits that may occur in families in which a parent is homosexual. Relevant research is reviewed and critiqued in discussing the legal and developmental questions that are often raised concerning the impact that a parent's homosexuality has on his/her children. In addition, the qualitative relationship between the parent and child is examined, including a discussion of the role of the nongay parent and the importance of self- disclosure. Suggestions for working with families and gay parents are presented. (21 ref) TITLE: Gay fathers' and gay nonfathers' relationship with their parents. AUTHOR(S): Skeen, Patsy. AFFILIATION: U Georgia, Athens SOURCE: Journal of Sex Research 1985 Feb Vol 21(1) 86-91 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Investigated early family backgrounds of 30 gay fathers (aged 22-62 yrs) compared to a matched sample of 30 gay nonfathers (aged 22-62 yrs), with particular emphasis on parent-son relationships. It was hypothesized that, contrary to predictions based on Freudian theory, there would be no difference in homosexual fathers' and nonfathers' perceptions of their early family life and relationships with their mothers and fathers. Questionnaires from these Ss derived from a larger nationwide study of 285 homosexual men from Dignity (an organization for homosexuals) chapters in the US were analyzed using ANOVA. No difference was found between the fathers' and nonfathers' perceptions of their parents' acceptance of them. Both groups perceived their mothers to be significantly more accepting than their fathers. Both groups also reported growing up in intact homes where heterosexual relationships were modeled for them, pleasant memories existed, and marital discord was not commonplace. These results support the growing body of research that questions the Freudian-based concept of a causal relationship between early familial relationship patterns and sexual orientation. (25 ref) TITLE: Family backgrounds of gay fathers: A descriptive study. AUTHOR(S): Skeen, Patsy. AFFILIATION: U Georgia, Athens SOURCE: Psychological Reports 1984 Jun Vol 54(3) 999-1005 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Assessed data on the early family backgrounds of 30 gay fathers (aged 22-62 yrs), with particular emphasis on parent-son relationships. Questionnaire responses from an instrument that contained questions on demographic background, parental acceptance, and family atmosphere during childhood were analyzed using a chi-squared test of independence. Ss reported growing up in intact homes where heterosexual relationships were modeled for them, pleasant memories existed, and marital discord was not commonplace. Although relationships with mothers were perceived to be slightly better than those with fathers, both maternal and paternal parent-child relationships were described more as adequate and positive than inadequate or negative. (29 ref) TITLE: Voices from the heart: The developmental impact of a mother's lesbianism on her adolescent children. Special Issue: Lesbians and lesbian families: Multiple reflections. AUTHOR(S): O'Connell, Ann. AFFILIATION: Journeywomen, Somerville, MA, US SOURCE: Smith College Studies in Social Work 1993 Jun Vol 63(3) 281- 299 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Studied 11 young adults (aged 16-23 yrs) whose mothers, either prior to or postdivorce, "came out" as lesbian. The Ss' experiences surrounding their mother's disclosure were explored, and sexual identity issues and friendships were highlighted. Findings indicate profound loyalty and protectiveness toward the mother, openness to diversity, and sensitivity to the effects of prejudice. Ss reported strong needs for peer affiliation and perceived secrecy regarding their mother's lesbianism as necessary for relationship maintenance. Other concerns, abating over time, were unrealized fears of male devaluation and homosexuality. Pervasive sadness about the parental breakup remained and wishes for family reunification were relinquished when mother "came out." TITLE: Lesbians and lesbian families: Multiple reflections. Special Issue: Lesbians and lesbian families: Multiple reflections. AUTHOR(S): Laird, Joan. AFFILIATION: Smith College Studies in Social Work, North Adams, MA, US SOURCE: Smith College Studies in Social Work 1993 Jun Vol 63(3) 209- 213 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Discusses the shift in emphasis in the last 20 yrs from the domination of the study of homosexuality by a search for etiology to the exploration of whether gay and lesbian individuals, couples, families, and children in gay- or lesbian-headed families are as mentally healthy and socially well-adapted as other populations. In addition, a psychological metaphor has dominated this field of study, as researchers have sought to capture the elements of gay and lesbian identity and the elusive "coming out" process. TITLE: The children of homosexual and heterosexual single mothers. AUTHOR(S): Javaid, Ghazala A. AFFILIATION: Tavistock Clinic, London, England SOURCE: Child Psychiatry & Human Development 1993 Sum Vol 23(4) 235- 248 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: 26 children and adults (aged 6-25 yrs) reared in homes headed by homosexual mothers and 28 reared in homes headed by heterosexual mothers were compared with respect to the mothers' and children's attitudes toward marriage, procreation, and homosexuality. The mothers did not prefer their children to be homosexual; they desired them to marry and procreate. This was expressed more unambiguously for their sons. The children mirrored these expectations, boys with greater frequency than the girls. Most of the children expressed reservations about having a homosexual mother. TITLE: Children of lesbian and gay parents. AUTHOR(S): Patterson, Charlotte J. AFFILIATION: U Virginia, Charlottesville, US SOURCE: Child Development 1992 Oct Vol 63(5) 1025-1042 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Reviews research on the personal and social development of children of gay or lesbian parents (CGLP). Beginning with estimates of the numbers of such children, sociocultural, theoretical, and legal reasons for attention to their development are then outlined. In this context, studies on sexual identity, personal development, and social relationships among these children are reviewed. EVIDENCE DOES NOT SHOW THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF CGLP IS COMPROMISED SIGNIFICANTLY RELATIVE TO THAT AMONG CHILDREN OF HETEROSEXUAL PARENTS IN COMPARABLE SITUATIONS. TITLE: Parenting in gay and lesbian families. AUTHOR(S): Turner, Pauline H. AFFILIATION: U New Mexico, Albuquerque, US SOURCE: Journal of Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy 1990 Vol 1(3) 55-66 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Interviewed 10 single gay fathers (aged 29-43 yrs) and 11 single lesbian mothers (aged 32-44 yrs). Data were consistent with other studies (e.g., M. Harris and P. Turner; see PA, Vol 74:21804) of gay parents and their children. Ss consistently reported that their homosexuality had not caused long-term problems for their children. Most Ss reported overall positive relationships with their children and strong parent-child bonds. Compared with fathers, mothers were more economically depressed, experienced greater role strain, and reported poorer relationships with ex-spouses. Mothers also reported more difficulty reconciling their gay and parent roles than did fathers. *GAY AND LESBIAN YOUTH* TITLE: Coming of age in a heterosexist world: The development of gay and lesbian adolescents. AUTHOR(S): Zera, Deborah. AFFILIATION: Antioch U, New England Graduate School, Keene, NH, US SOURCE: Adolescence 1992 Win Vol 27(108) 849854 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: The general developmental struggles of gay and lesbian adolescents are described as delineated in research. Three developmental areas were selected as a focus: the consolidation of sexual identity and the effects of both parental and peer relationships on gay adolescents' development. Weaknesses are noted in current research and theory, and suggestions are offered that could facilitate the development of both homosexual and heterosexual youth. TITLE: Parental influences on the self-esteem of gay and lesbian youths: A reflected appraisals model. Special Issue: Gay and lesbian youth: I. AUTHOR(S): Savin-Williams, Ritch C. AFFILIATION: Cornell U, Ithaca, NY, US SOURCE: Journal of Homosexuality 1989 Vol 17(1-2) 93-109 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Based on a population of 317 gay and lesbian youths (aged 14- 23 yrs), the current investigation explored the appropriateness of a reflected appraisals perspective in predicting the degree to which parental attitudes, as perceived by youth, affected their self-esteem and comfortableness being gay. A lesbian was most comfortable with her sexual orientation if she also reported that her parents accepted her homosexuality; these variables did not, however, predict her level of self-esteem. Among gay males, parental acceptance predicted comfortableness being gay if the parents were also perceived as important components of a youth's self-worth; a male most comfortable with his sexual orientation had the highest level of self-esteem. Results are discussed in terms of (1) sex of parent, (2) sex-role development, (3) comparisons of gays and lesbians, and (4) research on gay and lesbian youth. TITLE: Coming out to parents and self-esteem among gay and lesbian youths. AUTHOR(S): Savin-Williams, Ritch C. AFFILIATION: Cornell U, Ithaca, NY, US SOURCE: Journal of Homosexuality 1989 Vol 18(1-2) 1-35 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Assessed the significance of the parents for the coming out process and/or the self-evaluation of 214 homosexual males and 103 lesbians (aged 14-23 yrs). Ss completed a gay and lesbian questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory. Lesbians who reported satisfying relationships with their parents and who had relatively young parents were more likely to be ""out'' to their parents. Ss who reported satisfying relationships with their mothers had the highest levels of self-esteem; males who were out to their mothers and who had satisfying but infrequent relationships with their fathers were most likely to report high self-esteem. These relationships were strongest for males who claimed to be exclusively homosexual and were raised in small towns. TITLE: Helping gay and lesbian adolescents and their families: A mother's perspective. AUTHOR(S): Borhek, Mary V. SOURCE: Journal of Adolescent Health Care 1988 Mar Vol 9(2) 123-128 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Contends that gay and lesbian youths confront a number of difficult problems, including telling their parents about their sexual orientation and helping their families adjust to the news. Ineffective communication, poor self-esteem, and unresolved grief and anger often complicate the adolescent's telling his/her parents. Frequently, misinformation about homosexuality, religious beliefs, and homophobia adversely influence parental reactions. Impediments to the relationship between parents and sexual- minority youth are discussed, and strategies to promote positive family adjustment are presented. TITLE: Coming out to mom and dad: A study of gay males and their relationships with their parents. AUTHOR(S): Cramer, David W. AFFILIATION: U Texas, Counseling & Mental Health Ctr, Austin, US SOURCE: Journal of Homosexuality 1988 Vol 15(3-4) 79-91 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Explored the relationship between gay men coming out to parents, and specific perceived parental variables, in an attempt to discriminate between parents who are more or less accepting. Factors such as how the disclosure occurred and reasons for coming out were also investigated. Survey data from 93 gay men were examined. Results indicate that most parents initially reacted negatively to the disclosure but became more accepting over time. Parental values and characteristics associated with homophobia were found to be good predictors of the change in parent-son relationship following disclosure. However, the predictions were often in unexpected directions. The majority of Ss reported having a more positive relationship with their mothers than with their fathers, both before and after coming out. TITLE: The effects of traditional family values on the coming out process of gay male adolescents. AUTHOR(S): Newman, Bernie S. AFFILIATION: Temple U, School of Social Administration, Philadelphia, PA, US SOURCE: Adolescence 1993 Spr Vol 28(109) 213-226 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Studied stages of the coming out process and the influence of racial and ethnic identification and the pressure of traditional family values on 27 17-20 yr old African- American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian/Eurasian, and Caucasian male adolescents who were in the midst of accepting a gay identity. Questionnaire results suggest 3 stages: sensitization; awareness with confusion, denial, guilt, and shame; and acceptance. Traditional family values played a greater role in predicting coming out experiences than did race. Families were categorized as having high or low traditional values based on (1) the importance of religion, (2) emphasis on marriage, (3) emphasis on having children, and (4) whether a non-English language was spoken in the home. Families with a strong emphasis on traditional values were perceived as less accepting of homosexuality than were the low traditional families. TITLE: Lifetime sexual behaviors among predominantly minority male runaways and gay/bisexual adolescents in New York City. AUTHOR(S): Rotheram-Borus, Mary J. et al. AFFILIATION: Columbia U, Div of Child Psychiatry, New York, NY, US SOURCE: AIDS Education & Prevention 1992 Fal Suppl 34-42 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Examined lifetime sexual behaviors among 2 samples of predominantly African American or Hispanic male adolescents, believed to be at high risk for HIV infection: 59 runaways (aged 12-17 yrs) in 2 residential shelters and 60 Ss (aged 14-18 yrs) attending a community agency (COA) for gay and bisexual youth. 93% of the runaways had engaged in sexual activity with female partners. Runaways had a median of 11 female partners; COA Ss had a median of 7 male partners. Both groups initiated sexual activity at an early age: mean age of 12.3 yrs for runaways and 12.9 yrs for COA Ss. The age of initiation of various acts suggested a developmental sequence of psychosexual milestones within each group. 15% of COA Ss and 8% of runaways reported consistent condom use. 29% of runaways and 23% of COA Ss received and/or gave money and/or drugs for sexual acts. TITLE: Gay and no place to go: Assessing the needs of gay and lesbian adolescents in out-of-home care settings. North American Out-of-Home Care Conference: Out-of-home care: Challenging the new realities (1991, St Louis, Missouri). AUTHOR(S): Mallon, Gary. AFFILIATION: Green Chimneys Children's Services, New York City Programs, US SOURCE: Child Welfare 1992 Nov-Dec Vol 71(6) 547-556 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Discusses service needs of gay and lesbian youths in out-of- home care settings by (1) examining the literature, (2) examining the definitions of homosexuality, (3) charting service delivery problems outlined by gay and lesbian youths, and (4) offering suggestions to agencies interested in developing a more gay- and lesbian-affirming environment. Gay and lesbian youths in out-of-home care settings need to have equal access to the same quality of care as do other children in child welfare settings; however, there are major obstacles to providing effective quality services for these adolescents. Some of these obstacles are presented, and suggestions for improvement are provided. TITLE: Filiation, identite sexuelle et suicide. TRANS. TITLE: Filiation, sexual identity and suicide. 21st Meeting of the Group for the Study and Prevention of Suicide: Suicide and aggression (1989, Brussels, Belgium). AUTHOR(S): Delile, Jean-Michel. et al. AFFILIATION: Comite d'Etudes et d'Information sur la Drogue, Bordeaux, France SOURCE: Psychologie Medicale 1990 Apr Vol 22(5) 415-417 LANGUAGE: French ABSTRACT: Reports the case of a 34-yr-old man who experienced gender identity as a result of his inability to produce children and who subsequently expressed his depression as well as his accusatory aggression explicitly in a letter to psychiatrists before attempting suicide by gas poisoning. The relationship between autoaggression and heteroaggression and the function of projective defense mechanisms against homosexuality are discussed. (English abstract) *LESBIAN AND GAY PARENTS: SOCIAL ISSUES* TITLE: Breaking the silences: Lesbian and gay parents and the schools. AUTHOR(S): Casper, Virginia. AFFILIATION: Bank Street Coll of Education, Graduate Faculty, NY, US SOURCE: Teachers College Record 1992 Fal Vol 94(1) 109137 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Reports on the responses of some lesbian and gay parents (LGPs) and their children's teachers and administrators concerning communication between school and parents. The authors are concerned with the dynamics that encourage LGPs to communicate (or not communicate) their sexual orientation to the school, and the value or risk they place on such disclosure. *GAY AND LESBIAN ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR PEERS* TITLE: Attitudes toward homosexual activity and gays as friends: A national survey of heterosexual 15- to 19-year-old males. AUTHOR(S): Marsiglio, William. AFFILIATION: U Florida, Gainesville, US SOURCE: Journal of Sex Research 1993 Feb Vol 30(1) 12-17 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Examined heterosexual adolescent males' negative attitudes toward gays using data from a 1988 national survey of 1,880 male youth (aged 15-19 yrs). Results indicate that the vast majority of Ss, 89%, found sex between 2 men "disgusting," and only 12% felt confident that they could befriend a gay person. Ss with more traditional male role attitudes, a religious fundamentalist orientation, and a parent who had completed fewer years of education were significantly more likely to express homophobic views. However, these models also indicate that homophobic attitudes were not associated with the absence of a religious affiliation, placing greater importance on religion, or frequency of worrying about AIDS. *ROLE MODELS* TITLE: The relationship of instrumentality and expressivity to sexual orientation in women. AUTHOR(S): Dancey, Christine P. AFFILIATION: Polytechnic of East London, England SOURCE: Journal of Homosexuality 1992 Vol 23(4) 71-82 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Investigated the relationship between 2 personality variables related to sex roles (instrumentality and expressivity), sexual orientation, occupational level, and marital status in 54 lesbian women, 105 heterosexual women, and 161 unselected female controls. The Personal Attributes Questionnaire was administered to all Ss. Neither instrumentality nor expressivity alone or in combination predicted sexual orientation. Lesbians did not differ from other groups of women on either variable unless they were being compared with housewives (i.e., married with children and no job outside the home), who tended to score lower on instrumentality. Housewives were perceived as deviating from the norm and thus should be considered as an inappropriate heterosexual comparison group for lesbian women. *IT'S MOM'S FAULT?* TITLE: A test of the maternal stress theory of human male homosexuality. AUTHOR(S): Bailey, J. Michael. AFFILIATION: Northwestern U, Evanston, IL, US SOURCE: Archives of Sexual Behavior 1991 Jun Vol 20(3) 277-293 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Examined whether male homosexuality arises from prenatal stress during the brain's sexual differentiation. Stress- proneness and retrospective reports of stress during pregnancy were obtained from 215 mothers of male and female heterosexuals, bisexuals, and homosexuals. For males, neither between-family nor within-family analyses revealed a maternal stress effect for either sexual orientation or childhood gender nonconformity. However, mothers of effeminate children reported more stress-proneness than other mothers. Male homosexuality was strongly familial, suggesting a reconsideration of genetic and familial environmental mechanisms. TITLE: A genetic study of male sexual orientation. AUTHOR(S): Bailey, J. Michael. AFFILIATION: Northwestern U, Evanston, IL, US SOURCE: Archives of General Psychiatry 1991 Dec Vol 48(12) 1089-1096 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Examined (1) whether there is a genetic contribution to male sexual orientation and (2) the behavioral nature of this contribution. Three groups of probands (aged 19-65 yrs) were recruited: male monozygotic (MZ) twins, male dizygotic (DZ) twins with same-sex cotwins, and male Ss with adoptive brothers. Sexual orientation of relatives was ascertained by asking the probands or asking the relatives directly. 52% of the MZ cotwins, 22% of the DZ cotwins, and 11% of the adoptive brothers were either homosexual or bisexual. Homosexuals who behaved like typical boys during childhood did not appear to have been influenced by external events during and after childhood, indicating that homosexuality associated with childhood gender nonconformity is not more heritable. *PARENTS OF AYS MEN AND LESBIANS* TITLE: Attitudes and issues of parents of gay men and lesbians and implications for therapy. AUTHOR(S): Bernstein, Barbara E. AFFILIATION: Family Ctr, Beverly Hills, CA, US SOURCE: Journal of Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy 1990 Vol 1(3) 3753 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: 62 parents were seen in therapy or support groups or were interviewed about their feelings, attitudes, behavior, and experiences concerning their son's or daughter's homosexuality. Five major themes emerged: social stigma, self and spouseblame, parental losses, fears and concerns for the gay child, and fear of losing their child if parents did not accept the child's homosexuality. TITLE: Parental physical abuse and sexual orientation in males. AUTHOR(S): Harry, Joseph. AFFILIATION: Northern Illinois U, De Kalb, US SOURCE: Archives of Sexual Behavior 1989 Jun Vol 18(3) 251-261 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Hypothesized that gay males are more likely than heterosexual men to have been physically abused by parents. This hypothesis was tested comparing 17 gay and 67 heterosexual male college students on the Conflict Tactics Scale and measures of closeness to mother and father and childhood cross-gendering. Gay males were found to have been more abused during adolescence. ABUSE WAS RELATED TO A HISTORY OF CHILDHOOD FEMININITY, TO HAVING POOR RELATIONSHIPS WITH FATHERS, AND TO HAVING ENGAGED IN GAY SEX DURING ADOLESCENCE. [*note: abuse is related to factors associated with being gay, yet the sexual orientaton of the children was not affected by the abuse] TITLE: Parental responses to gay and lesbian children: Differences in homophobia, self-esteem, and sex-role stereotyping. AUTHOR(S): Holtzen, David W. AFFILIATION: Boston Coll, Div of Counseling Psychology, Chestnut Hill, MA, US SOURCE: Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology 1990 Fal Vol 9(3) 390- 399 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Investigated parental reactions to knowledge of a child's gay or lesbian sexuality. 55 parents of gay and lesbian children completed W. W. Hudson and W. A. Ricketts's (see PA, Vol 68:7089) index of homophobia (IHP), the Coopersmith Self- Esteem Inventory for Adults, and short versions of the Attitudes Toward Women Scale (AWS) and the Texas Social Behavior Inventory (TSBI) to measure homophobia and to examine possible differences and changes in self-esteem and sex-role stereotyping. Ss with high IHP scores differed significantly from Ss with low IHP scores with respect to scores on the AWS and TSBI; high- and low-IHP Ss also differed as to the amount of time elapsed since their child's disclosure. As expected, IHP scores correlated negatively with all measures. Also, the amount of time an S had known of his or her child's sexuality in combination with the S's sex-role stereotypes was a good predictor of his or her homophobia score. *SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND CHILD CUSTODY* TITLE: Sexual orientation: Should it affect child custody rulings. AUTHOR(S): Baggett, Courtney R. AFFILIATION: Law & Psychology Review, Tuscaloosa, AL, US SOURCE: Law & Psychology Review 1992 Spr Vol 16 189-200 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Examines how courts faced with a homosexual father or mother currently decide child custody. Courts that follow the per se standard of review have concluded that homosexual parents should automatically lose custody of their children. By contrast, the nexus approach requires a causal connection between parental conduct and an adverse effect on the child. Courts that determine that no adverse impact exists usually permit the child to remain in the home. A COMMON FEAR OF SOCIETY IS THAT CHILDREN REARED IN A HOMOSEXUAL MILIEU WILL BE SOCIALLY STIGMATIZED AND EMOTIONALLY DAMAGED. STUDIES SHOW THIS FEAR TO BE UNJUSTIFIED. Children of homosexual parents who were interviewed showed remarkable adaptation to parental lifestyle. Case materials illustrate the discussion. TITLE: From law : Homophobia, heterosexism and judicial decision making. AUTHOR(S): Leonard, Arthur S. AFFILIATION: New York Law School, US SOURCE: Journal of Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy 1991 Vol 1(4) 65-91 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Discusses how homophobia and heterosexism have affected legal decisions in the US. The extent to which legal principles are distorted by such stigmatization can be observed in a close analysis of 3 cases affecting the legal rights of homosexuals: Bowers v. Harwick (a decision by the Supreme Court upholding a Georgia law criminalizing all anal or oral sex), Padula v. Webster (a decision by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upholding the Federal Bureau of Investigation's right to refuse to hire a lesbian), and Constant A. v. Paul C. A. (a decision by the Superior Court of Pennsylvania denying joint custody of children to a divorced lesbian). *PEDIOPHILIA* TITLE: Toward a testable developmental model of pedophilia: The development of erotic age preference. AUTHOR(S): Freund, Kurt. AFFILIATION: Clarke Inst of Psychiatry, Toronto, ON, Canada SOURCE: Child Abuse & Neglect 1993 Mar-Apr Vol 17(2) 315-324 LANGUAGE: English ABSTRACT: Retrospective self-reports about childhood curiosity to see persons in the nude were used to compare the development of erotic sex and age preferences among 4 groups of males: 46 heterosexual pedophiles, 30 homosexual pedophiles, 462 gynephiles (who erotically prefer physically mature females), and 51 androphiles (who erotically prefer physically mature males). Results suggest (1) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF EROTIC SEX PREFERENCE PRECEDES THAT OF EROTIC AGE PREFERENCE, and (2) a greater proportion of pedophiles than of individuals who prefer physically mature partners remembers curiosity in their own childhood to see nude children without remembering such curiosity in regard to adults. A further set of retrospective self-reports, obtained from 78 gynephilic male university students suggests that in gynephiles the erotic appeal of children of the preferred sex ceases by about the time of puberty.