Lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders bringing up children (parents) are one of the most socially vulnerable groups in the LGBT-community. However there is no authentic data either about this group’s numbers or real problems they face. All organization’s work with parents is based on the fragmentary data received both from the Internet, personal contact and from the experience and intuition of project curators working with the present group. One more source of the information is the results of the western research of LGBT-parents which certainly can’t be considered completely appropriate for the Russian validity. This circumstance makes worse essentially both efficiency and quality of the work since it is carried out practically blindly. For overcoming of this situation the complex research of LGBT-parents’ group is necessary.

The research was carried out as a qualitative method of “focus group” within the project “LGBT-Parenthood” in Saint Petersburg. In all15 persons who had been divided into two parts have taken part in it.  There were a) LGBT-PARENTS who already have been bringing up children and b) LGBT who are going to become parents. The research objective was the revelation of the problems and needs of the LGBT-parents and children who are growing up in the same-gender and transgender families. The results of the research are presented in the brochure published by the organization “Coming Out”.

Besides the results the plan of the research for the activists from other regions is presented in the brochure. According to this plan they can conduct a similar research in their regions. “The rough strategy of the solution of the problems concerning LGBT-parents” is also presented in the brochure. The strategy suggested by us isn’t definitive. Its purpose consists in inviting to discussion everybody who is interested in working with LGBT-parents and representation of their interests.

The article “Influence of laws about the marriage, cohabiting and house partnership on children’s health and happiness” is published in the application for the first time in Russian. In the year 2006 the article had been published in the magazine “Pediatrics” which is official publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics. In the article the review of the several researches of psychological, economic and juridical consequences of children’s upbringing in same-gender families had been presented. Scientists and doctors demonstrate convincingly that the upbringing of children in lesbi and gay families has no negative consequences. The scientists confirm also that the non-recognition of the same-gender families by state (i.e. the refusal of the registration of same-gender marriages and partnership) has a negative impact on the children who are being brought up in these families. Therefore many professional associations and trade unions of scientists and doctors recommend to the representatives of the government to legalise same-gender marriages and partnerships.

Unfortunately we failed to recruit representatives of the transgender parents’ association. That’s why to compensate for that the article of the doctor of medicine, the sexologist Richard Green, is published in the application «Children of transsexuals».

The results of the research may be used by the LGBT-organizations both for working with LGBT-parents and for working with representatives of the State in defense of the interests of this group of citizens. Besides the brochure is of doubtless interest for gender researchers, psychologists, sociologists and social workers.

Research and brochure publication are realized with the support of Heinrich Böll Foundation.

The brochure may be received in the organization “Coming Out” or downloaded in pdf format (556 Kb) .

The project “LGBT-parenthood” has begun its activity in February, 2009. The project aimed at consolidation of LGBT- parents. It gives information and psychological support to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders who are bringing up children or going to do that.

proud.parenting@gmail.com
Coordinator Sasha Semyonova

Translated by Dmitry Petrov