Facts are sexy, just like us.
Time to debunk some common misconceptions and misinformation about the LGBTQIA+
In our previous issue, we mentioned that we’ll introduce a comic series consisting of a Pinay queer couple whose love for good coffee and debunking science-related misinformation are next to none. But while we’re still preparing the comic series called “Sero + Oxy,” we thought - why don’t we go ahead and begin with debunking a common myth about LGBTQIA+ families?
Growing up, we’ve certainly heard naysayers thumb down the concept of LGBTQIA+ people having their own kids. From the random Marites (a Filipino term which means gossipmonger) to sadly, sometimes even our own families and relatives, we would get discouraging and even hurtful remarks that LGBTQIA+ people would not be able to raise children well.
A study published on March 6 this year at the BMJ Global Health Journal, refutes this however. Conducted by researchers from the Guangxi Medical University in China and Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, USA, the study found out that “Sexual minority parent groups showed higher levels of parent-child relationship quality, such as higher levels of warmth, greater amounts of interaction and more supportive behaviour, when compared with the heterosexual parent groups.”
This meta-analysis of previous research among countries which legalized same-sex marriage also had these notable findings:
The researchers "found better psychological adjustment in children raised by sexual minorities, especially in preschool age children”
Having sexual minority parents may result in some advantages for the kids, in the sense that they are perceived to be “more tolerant of diversity and more nurturing towards younger children than children of heterosexual parents.”
Overall, their findings “indicated that children of sexual minority couples are not at a disadvantage when compared with children of heterosexual couples.
So next time someone tells you you’re not fit to be a parent because you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community, silence the Marites in them with this.
Also, Scientibs Times is on Subselfie! (Cue masayang palakpakan background music here. :)
If you want more updates on queer research, LGBTQIA+ scientists and queer scicomm, just subscribe and nudge your friends, peers and even families to do so. Go ahead, make that nudge, don’t be shy :) Till the next issue!
Banner image from: https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/organic-flat-pride-day-family-collection_13757213.htm