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Beyond Blood

Families of our making.

Parenting
Gay Dads: Transitions to Adoptive Fatherhood

Abbie Goldberg Ph.D. on July 30, 2012

The lives of gay fathers, as this book reveals, are both ordinary and extraordinary. In turn, this book examines how gay dads interact with societal ideals of fatherhood and masculinity, alternately pioneering new ways of fathering and accommodating to heteronormative “parenting culture.”

The lives of gay fathers, as this book reveals, are both ordinary and extraordinary. In turn, this book examines how gay dads interact with societal ideals of fatherhood and masculinity, alternately pioneering new ways of fathering and accommodating to heteronormative “parenting culture.”

Adoption
Legal Inequities Create Problems for Gay Couples With Kids

Abbie Goldberg Ph.D. on July 19, 2012

"Louisiana Gay Dad Raises Child, But He’s Powerless as Partner Skips Town With Boy." This ABC News headline describes what happened to Dale Liuzza when his relationship with his partner fizzled and his partner used his legal rights to take their son away.

"Louisiana Gay Dad Raises Child, But He’s Powerless as Partner Skips Town With Boy." This ABC News headline describes what happened to Dale Liuzza when his relationship with his partner fizzled and his partner used his legal rights to take their son away.

Adoption
Ten-Plus Years of Studying Lesbian, Gay, and Heterosexual Ad

Abbie Goldberg Ph.D. on July 13, 2012

In my lengthy interview with "It's Conceivable," we cover a range of topics, including lesbian, gay, and heterosexual couples' experiences of adoption, choosing a gay-friendly adoption agency, and the experiences of children of gay parents.

In my lengthy interview with "It's Conceivable," we cover a range of topics, including lesbian, gay, and heterosexual couples' experiences of adoption, choosing a gay-friendly adoption agency, and the experiences of children of gay parents.

Sex
Gay Men Who Become Parents Have Less Sex, In and Out of the

Abbie Goldberg Ph.D. on July 6, 2012

A new study, by Dr. Colleen Hoff and her colleagues, has found that—perhaps not surprisingly—gay male couples tend to report less frequent sex after becoming parents. The authors of the study, which was published in a new American Psychological Association (APA) journal, Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice.

A new study, by Dr. Colleen Hoff and her colleagues, has found that—perhaps not surprisingly—gay male couples tend to report less frequent sex after becoming parents. The authors of the study, which was published in a new American Psychological Association (APA) journal, Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice.

Sex
Flawed Study of "Gay Parenting": Roundup of Recent Media Cov

Abbie Goldberg Ph.D. on June 29, 2012

Reading the news lately? If so, you have probably seen coverage of a new study that claims to find negative outcomes for children of lesbian and gay parents. The paper that makes this claim is titled, “How different are the adult children of parents who have same-sex relationships? Findings from the New Family Structures study” and is authored by Mark Regnerus.

Reading the news lately? If so, you have probably seen coverage of a new study that claims to find negative outcomes for children of lesbian and gay parents. The paper that makes this claim is titled, “How different are the adult children of parents who have same-sex relationships? Findings from the New Family Structures study” and is authored by Mark Regnerus.

Adoption
Anonymous Baby ‘Drop Boxes’: Under Criticism by the United N

Abbie Goldberg Ph.D. on June 13, 2012

The latest adoption scandal, according to many recent news reports, is the use of “baby boxes” throughout Europe. The growing number of baby boxes, which are “hatches for unwanted newborns”, throughout Europe, has attracted criticism from the United Nations, which states that the boxes violate a child’s rights to know their biological parents.

The latest adoption scandal, according to many recent news reports, is the use of “baby boxes” throughout Europe. The growing number of baby boxes, which are “hatches for unwanted newborns”, throughout Europe, has attracted criticism from the United Nations, which states that the boxes violate a child’s rights to know their biological parents.

Parenting
Life as a Gay Father: Neil Patrick Harris Opens Up to Oprah

Abbie Goldberg Ph.D. on June 6, 2012

In their recent interview with Oprah, Neil Patrick Harris and his partner David Burtka opened up about parenthood, surrogacy, and raising twins. As Harris emphasized in his interview, “We really, really wanted kids. We really had thought it through financially, emotionally, relationship-wise."

In their recent interview with Oprah, Neil Patrick Harris and his partner David Burtka opened up about parenthood, surrogacy, and raising twins. As Harris emphasized in his interview, “We really, really wanted kids. We really had thought it through financially, emotionally, relationship-wise."

Infertility
Celebrities Are Infertile too: How Openness About Infertility May Help Decrease Shame

Abbie Goldberg Ph.D. on May 31, 2012

Several weeks ago, Jillian Michaels of NBC’s The Biggest Loser, adopted a girl named Lukensia from Haiti. She became a parent to Lukensia within days of welcoming Pheonix, a baby boy whom her partner Heidi Rhodes had carried, into the world. Interestingly, it was only recently that Michaels revealed her true reason for adopting.

Several weeks ago, Jillian Michaels of NBC’s The Biggest Loser, adopted a girl named Lukensia from Haiti. She became a parent to Lukensia within days of welcoming Pheonix, a baby boy whom her partner Heidi Rhodes had carried, into the world. Interestingly, it was only recently that Michaels revealed her true reason for adopting.

Adoption
The New Normal? Show about Gay Couple Pursuing Surrogacy Set

Abbie Goldberg Ph.D. on May 25, 2012

First came Modern Family, a television comedy that features a gay couple with an adopted child. Now, here comes The New Normal, set to premiere on Tuesdays this Fall on NBC.

First came Modern Family, a television comedy that features a gay couple with an adopted child. Now, here comes The New Normal, set to premiere on Tuesdays this Fall on NBC.

Adoption
Stigmas About Adoption Remain, and Hurt Families

Abbie Goldberg Ph.D. on May 21, 2012

Although I have not seen the movie “The Avengers,” I am aware that it has recently gotten some heat from the adoption community.

Although I have not seen the movie “The Avengers,” I am aware that it has recently gotten some heat from the adoption community.

Adoption
Tolerance versus Support for Gay Adoption: Yes, It Makes a D

Abbie Goldberg Ph.D. on May 14, 2012

Mitt Romney says it’s “fine” if gay people adopt, but he is certainly not asserting that gay couples are equally capable of raising a child as heterosexual couples. He has clarified his “preference” that children are raised by a mother and father in a series of recent news articles.

Mitt Romney says it’s “fine” if gay people adopt, but he is certainly not asserting that gay couples are equally capable of raising a child as heterosexual couples. He has clarified his “preference” that children are raised by a mother and father in a series of recent news articles.

Marriage
Marriage Matters, Say Kids of Gay Parents

Abbie Goldberg Ph.D. on May 10, 2012

Amidst the marriage merry-go-round of late (North Carolina votes to ban marriage for same-sex couples, Obama comes out in support of marriage for same-sex couples), one issue that is frequently raised is how children of LGB parents will be affected by marriage equality or inequality.

Amidst the marriage merry-go-round of late (North Carolina votes to ban marriage for same-sex couples, Obama comes out in support of marriage for same-sex couples), one issue that is frequently raised is how children of LGB parents will be affected by marriage equality or inequality.

Relationships
Traveling as a Gay Parent Comes With Extra Baggage

Abbie Goldberg Ph.D. on May 7, 2012

Traveling with children presents anxieties for many parents. But for gay parents, anxieties may be heightened by the reality that many people—often those in positions of power (airport officials, law enforcement officials)—may not readily understand or accept their family relationships.

Traveling with children presents anxieties for many parents. But for gay parents, anxieties may be heightened by the reality that many people—often those in positions of power (airport officials, law enforcement officials)—may not readily understand or accept their family relationships.