First National Survey of Kids Born Through Artificial Insemination

We may not have marriage equality yet, but that won't stop people from having families. In fact, the population of kids raised by lesbian parents who conceived using assisted reproductive technology (ART) is growing, but, until now, little has been known about the experiences of ART babies.

With this in mind, Jeff DeGroot, research fellow at COLAGE (an organization for people with one or more LGBTQ parents), is conducting the first ever national survey of ART kids.

Over 200 lesbian parents and their offspring have filled out DeGroot's online survey, which asks about relationships with the donor, how parents talk to their kids about their donor (as any kid is bound to pop the "where did I come from?" question), and what situations have come up where authorities are unaware of or unaccommodating to lesbian and gay families.

"The system's really not set up for us," said DeGroot, himself raised by two moms who conceived using an anonymous sperm donor.

Survey responses demonstrate that many parents are concerned about legal problems. For lesbians lucky enough to live in D.C. or one of the eight states that allow a second adult (the non-biological mom in this case) to adopt her partner's child, both moms can have parenting rights. In other states, however, even family members visiting each other in the emergency room could be against the law. Many respondents also expressed concerns that the donor whose sperm is used in the artificial insemination might sue for custody.

Then there are the situations that come up in school. What happens when everyone else in the class is making Father's Day cards? Whose name goes in that "Father's educational level" box on financial aid forms for college? How do kids respond to getting teased for having two moms?

While it might now be easy enough to explain adoption, there is little precedent for talking about donor insemination. One of DeGroot's goals is to write a guide explaining to kids how to talk about their families and the donor insemination process using age-appropriate language. He also emphasized the importance of kids knowing that there's other "gaybies" out there.

While LGBT activists work for equality in the workplace, marriage and other areas, we should also be supporting kids whose families don't get the legal and social recognition they deserve.

"It's important to teach kids that LGBT kids are equal," said DeGroot.

(Photo courtesy of greenmelinda's photostream on Flickr)