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HRC Praises Family Physicians' Support for Same-Sex Families

Professional Academy Adopts Policy Backing Adoption, Domestic Partner Benefits

WASHINGTON (Oct. 18, 2002)— The Human Rights Campaign applauded the American Academy of Family Physicians today for passing a resolution supporting legislation that would protect children of same-sex parents.

"We are gratified that the academy has sided with the health, welfare and stability of the children of same-sex parents," said Lisa Bennett, deputy director for HRC FamilyNet, the family project of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. "What this group did was reaffirm that it is the right of these children to have the same psychological and legal security that children of heterosexual parents take for granted."

The academy's congress of delegates passed a resolution Wednesday at its annual meeting in San Diego calling on the group to "establish policy and be supportive of legislation which promotes a safe and nurturing environment, including psychological and legal security, for all children, including those of adoptive parents, regardless of the parents' sexual orientation."

The American Academy of Family Physicians represents more than 93,500 physicians and medical students nationwide. The group also voiced support for equal rights for same-sex parents through domestic partner life and health insurance and a certain legal relationship to both parents through second-parent and joint adoption. In a written statement, Dr. Warren A. Jones, president of the academy, said the resolution reflected the need to protect all of America's children by supporting the diverse families in which they live.

"As family physicians who care for all ages, we believe the health of American's children is one of the utmost importance," Jones said in a statement. "Children deserve to be raised and protected in a safe and nurturing environment. This policy advocates for the family in all its complexities and particularly for children."

The AAFP's resolution follows positive steps taken by other key professional health organizations, notably the American Academy of Pediatrics. In the February 2002 issue of Pediatrics, a peer-reviewed academic journal, the American Academy of Pediatrics urged its members to "support the right of every child and family to the financial, psychological and legal security that results from having legally recognized parents who are committed to each other and the welfare of their children." The statement was accompanied by a technical report that provided details from the best available scientific studies of children who grow up with gay or lesbian parents.

"This has been a watershed year for our families, with calls for improved protections for the children of gay and lesbian parents," said Bennett. "Judges and lawmakers should act quickly to make second-parent and co-parent adoption available to all families in all states."

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian and gay political organization, with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.

LGBT Health News, Family Physicians Support Same Sex Families reprinted with permission from
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