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Photographer : Tish Star
Ever since I have been 14 or so I have questioned my sexuality. But it took me two years to eventually come out as gay when I was 16. One of the reasons I was in denial for so long, and a thought that still worries me, is that I have always wanted to have a family when I am older.
Eventually I decided not to pretend to be something I am not and just shoved the family problem aside thinking:"It’ll sort itself out."
Well, in 2007 two men or two women still cannot have natural childrenm and I am quite convinced that technology will not offer that as a possibility for a long time. Yet I am not a fan of surrogate mothers or fathers. In my case, how would you decided if my boy friend or I are going to give his or my sperm? At the end of the day the child would only be really mine or his, not like with man and woman a combination of both of us. Furthermore, I can see the problem of a child growing up with two fathers or two mothers that will want to meet his or her natural mum at some stage in life. Just sounds like a lot of trouble to me!
Unfortunately same-sex couples are not allowed to marry or form a civil union in Australia. Yet some states in North America and a few countries in Europe allow same-sex unions. When a man and a woman marry, traditionally they do this to form a family. When two men or two women marry they do not really have this option. That does not mean that they do not have the desire to form a family. This is where the adoption rights come into play.
In Australia same-sex couples are not allowed to adopt a child together.
Common arguments are that every child has the right to have a father and a mother. My grandfather’s father died when he was 5. He was raised by his mother and her sister. He has never complained about having 2 women bringing him up. Many single mothers and fathers do a great job at bringing up their kids. How does that justify the argument that a child needs to have a mother and a father.
My opinion is that the problem would not lie within a family of two dads or two mums but outside that family. I think society just does not seem to be widely accepting of the concept of gay parents. If I was to adopt a child with my boy friend I would not be concerned about us being able to bring up our child well but that he or she will have problems in kindergarten or school or that other parents might not let our child play with others because we are gay.
I think that is does not matter what gender or sexuality parents are. They can still do a better, equal or worse job than one mum and one dad. What really matters is if society is going to make it hard for these families or just accept them and their children.
Finally, I wonder if a childhood in an orphanage would really be that much better for the wellbeing of a child than that in a family where it gets the attention and love that every child deserves.
The debate is very broad and I have not covered the entire topic. However, I wanted to put my word out there and get the discussion rolling! I have drawn some of the arguments from this website:
http://www.youdebate.com/DEBATES/gay_adoption.HTM 
