A meta-analysis examining the relationship between parents’ sexual orientation and children's developmental outcomes

Despite the Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) Supreme Court decision allowing same-sex marriage, current political climate has emboldened state legislatures in United States to push for anti-LGBTQ adoption legislation, some citing that LGBTQ couples have a negative effect on children. This meta-analysis synthesized data from 32 studies 6 developmental outcomes (child gender role behaviour, identity, sexual orientation, cognitive function, psychological adjustment, and quality of parent–child relationship). The overall size having parents children was positive significantly different heterosexual parents. Moderator analyses found location, socioeconomic status, type relationship, date publication, child's preference were significant. We provide implications practitioners policy, as well recommendations future research this area.