Latest study says children of gays more prone to being molested, contracting an STD and being poor. Empirical evidence from academia or not?

(1) Unfortunately, saying that if someone has a same-sex encounter that means they are gay is pretty faulty logic. By necessity, one would have to say that because someone had an opposite-sex encounter then they would be necessarily straight.

(2) Further, the issue again isn't whether a parent is gay...but the important issue is the comparison between "gay parents" and "straight parents." This means that for there to be a MEANINGFUL comparison, the two types of environments need to be functionally similar BUT FOR the difference in the makeup of the couple.

For instance, if the study defined "straight parents" as couples who had gone through divorce, were single parents, in mixed families, and who had been married throughout the child's life ONLY WITH gay couples who had been together throughout the child's life...you couldn't honestly demonstrate a difference between "gay" and "straight" parenting because there are too many other variables.

When the Regenerus study compared straight parents who had been together throughout the child's life with ANY situation where there might have been a gay parent involved, it ignores multiple other variables.

(3) Arguing that his research is based on data is beside the point. All research is based on data. The question is whether it's the right data to support any conclusion or assertion you reach.

(4) I never mentioned the source of funding for the research. I believe, in fact, that the funding factor should be left out of the analysis initially...because we can objectively critique the data, methodology, and conclusion without reference to funding sources. I argue on those bases that the study fails to show any difference between gay and straight parents because its statistical groupings are completely flawed.

(5) I actually AGREE that children in a non-nuclear, non-traditional family likely suffer as opposed to those in traditional nuclear families. However, that is most often a criticism...particularly in the non-traditional arena...of society than it is of the family. For instance, a nuclear family that is mixed-race will face various prejudices and judgments that a non-mixed family will. I would say that is due to outside improper prejudice rather than something that naturally occurs in mixed families without that judgment.

1) Only if one believes each an example is mutually inclusive of which it is not. Straight people do not have sex with the same sex, period. Using such an analogy, the prisons are full of men engaging in homosexual acts yet consider themselves straight.

2) I'm not certain -what- the issue is they're trying to convey. Perhaps it is a hate-mongering propaganda piece, I'm not certain, which is why I'd prefer to see additional research in this respect. Yes, there are tons of variables but I do not believe in any manner whatsoever a gay couple with a child (or children) could even be remotely similar in function to that of straight parents because of the isolated (and I believe, obvious) dynamics.

I don't believe I equate your use of the term "mixed" quite the same as you. Are you applying this term to both couples or just the straight couple? And while the studies may not be there with static and undeniable proof, personally, I believe (and this isn't hate or bias, it's simply my personal opinion based on anecdotal observations and experiences) a child raised by gays is more likely to be gay. Most children are in awe of their parents and strive to emulate.

The funding of such studies must always be taken into consideration and additional research will eventually reveal if this information is pseudo-science, pure bunk or valid.

It all begins at home. It is usually the kids with non-nuclear families falling prey to peer influence (an incredibly powerful thing). Racism, hatred and bigotry is taught and acquired but it all comes back to the home environment and what is/was taught, acceptable, permitted, etc. What happens -afterward- when the child grows up is ... society.