Donate
New Democracy Maps

Putting Children at Risk: How Efforts to Undermine Marriage Equality Harm Children

The Bottom Line

Putting Children at Risk: How Efforts to Undermine Marriage Equality Harm Children shows how these coordinated efforts pose a profound threat to the children in LGBT families.

First, some government officials, state legislators, and courts have refused to fully recognize the marriages of same-sex couples and their relationship with their children. Second, there is an increase in individuals, businesses, child welfare providers, healthcare providers, government contractors, and even government employees claiming they have a right to discriminate not just against LGBT people, but also against the children of LGBT people, because of their religious beliefs. These license-to-discriminate efforts are reflected in legislation, court cases, and agency guidance around the country.

By refusing to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples, and by attempting to insert religious exemptions into nondiscrimination laws that protect LGBT people, the report concludes that the threats to LGBT families and their children are real and, in states without nondiscrimination laws and in states where legislatures have pushed religious exemption laws, the ultimate result is that children are harmed.

Recommended citation:
Movement Advancement Project and Family Equality Council. June 2018. Putting Children at Risk: How Efforts to Undermine Marriage Equality Harm Children. www.lgbtmap.org/undermining-marriage-harms-kids-report (date of access).

Stay Informed

Be the first to know about new reports and MAP news by signing up for our newsletter


Request User Access

A limited set of materials is restricted to the staff and board members of LGBTQ movement organizations. Click below to request user access.

Join MAP

View our privacy policy.

Sexual Orientation Policy Tally

The term “sexual orientation” is loosely defined as a person’s pattern of romantic or sexual attraction to people of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or more than one sex or gender. Laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation primarily protect or harm lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. That said, transgender people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual can be affected by laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation.

Gender Identity Policy Tally

“Gender identity” is a person’s deeply-felt inner sense of being male, female, or something else or in-between. “Gender expression” refers to a person’s characteristics and behaviors such as appearance, dress, mannerisms and speech patterns that can be described as masculine, feminine, or something else. Gender identity and expression are independent of sexual orientation, and transgender people may identify as heterosexual, lesbian, gay or bisexual. Laws that explicitly mention “gender identity” or “gender identity and expression” primarily protect or harm transgender people. These laws also can apply to people who are not transgender, but whose sense of gender or manner of dress does not adhere to gender stereotypes.

Choose an Issue