the father of twin boys, he specifically cited his children’s
health and welfare as a reason for being truthful about his sexual
orientation. As a lesbian mother of twins, I applaud him for his
honesty. I also know that as an LGBT parent he has the ability to
change hearts and minds – simply by showing the world how his
concerns as a parent are the same concerns they have as parents.
Here at Family Equality Council, we wish him great joy and
happiness as he lives his life to the fullest.
Martin Publicly Joins One Million LGBT Parents in U.S.
Boston, MA -Family Equality Council, a leading national advocate on
behalf of gay and lesbian families, applauds singer Ricky Martin
for publicly acknowledging he is gay. Martin, a proud father of
twin boys, joins the ranks of approximately one million lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) parents who are raising nearly
two million children in the United States.
“Ricky Martin’s decision to live his life openly and truthfully
will help open hearts and minds in this country and worldwide,”
stated Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of Family Equality
Council. “As a loving father, he changes diapers, rocks his
children to sleep, and worries about their well-being-just like all
parents do. And now by coming out he has set an example to his
children. Family Equality Council applauds him for his honesty.”
Martin came out on his blog, citing his commitment to living the
truth for his children as a primary driver to coming out. “This is
just what I need especially now that I am the father of two
beautiful boys that are so full of light and who with their outlook
teach me new things every day. To keep living as I did up until
today would be to indirectly diminish the glow that my kids were
born with.”
Thirty years of scientific research shows that children with gay
parents are just as well adjusted and have the same advantages in
life as children raised in homes with opposite-sex parents. The
child welfare community, including the American Academy of
Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Psychological
Association, Child Welfare League of America and the National
Adoption Center, agree gay and lesbian couples or unmarried LGBT
individuals are qualified to be adoptive or foster parents.
In a letter to the Family Equality Council, President Obama made
his position on LGBT adoptions clear, noting he wants “to do more
to support and strengthen LGBT families. Because equality in
relationship, family, and adoption rights is not some abstract
principle; it’s about whether millions of LGBT Americans can
finally live lives marked by dignity and freedom…That’s why we
have to extend equal treatment in our family and adoption laws.”
The Every Child Deserves a Family Act, legislation introduced by
Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), limits federal funding to states that delay
or deny adoptive and foster care placements based on sexual
orientation, gender identity or marital status.
The Family Equality Council works to ensure equality for lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender families by building community,
changing hearts and minds, and advancing social justice for all
families. For more information, visit www.familyequality.org.