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As for Dr. Rekers’ claims, of course the biological nuclear family is an
ideal, but about half of those families end in divorce and produce single-parent
families which, by definition, are “non-traditional families.” That does not, of
course, mean they can’t be loving and nurturing families. The same must be said
for families with same-sex parents. In fact, it was said by the American Medical
Association wiien it voted to endorse the legalization of adoptions by same-sex
couples. The resolution stated, in part: “having two fully sanctioned and legally
defined parents promotes a safe and nurturing environment for children”
(www.ama.org). Dr. David Fassler of the American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry reaffirmed that “All the scientific evidence points to no
differences among children raised in heterosexual or homosexual families.” Yale
University child psychologist Dr. Kyle Pruett also agreed: “There is to date no
credible research that says children raised by gay and lesbian couples are at
risk.” The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family
Physicians, American Anthropological Association, American Bar Association,
American Psychiatric Association, National Association of Social Workers, and
North American Council on Adoptable Children also all agree: a parent’s sexual
orientation is irrelevant to his or her ability to successfully raise a child.^
In January 2005, Pulaski County (Arkansas) Circuit Court Judge
Timothy Fox was hearing a case involving gay citizens serving as foster parents.
He disallowed “expert” testimony by Dr. Rekers, who is also a member of the
advisory board of the National Association for Research and Therapy of
Homosexuals. Rekers had intended to present the usual stereotypes—“rates of
pedophilia among homosexuals” and “HTV/AIDS transmission rates”—
disguised as legitimate and relevant evidence. In his ruling. Judge Fox said Dr.
Rekers’ testimony was “extremely suspect” and that Rekers “was there primarily
to promote his own personal ideology.” Yet, in a case challenging gay marriage,
Superior Court Judge Kramer accepted Dr. Rekers’ testimony and refused factbased rebuttals.
When the proceedings ended in Judge Kramer’s court, the Christian
Right’s media outlets chirped with glee and offered prognostications based on
the testimony their advocates had read into the court record. They fully expected
a ruling in their favor, but that was not the case. Judge Kramer ruled that the