Resources about Diverse Family Structures

This resource is part of a series developed to support programs in partnering with parents and guardians who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender (LGBT). Find information and strategies to create an early childhood setting that is welcoming for all children and families. Recommended for directors, teachers, providers, and parents.

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Pamphlets and Articles

Do No Harm: Creating Welcoming and Inclusive Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Families in Early Childhood Settings
Burt, T., Gelnaw, A., & Lesser, L. K. "Do No Harm: Creating Welcoming and Inclusive Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Families in Early Childhood Settings." Young Children 65(1) (January 2010): 97–102.

Learn the importance of creating safe and supportive learning environments for all children and families in early childhood settings. Article highlights the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) code of ethical conduct, goals of anti-bias education presented in "Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves" (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010), and tips for including all families in early childhood settings.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Families: Tools for Directors in Supporting Staff Discussion with Fears
Burt, T., & Klinger, L. L. "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Families: Tools for Directors in Supporting Staff Discussion with Fears." Exchange 30(5) (September/October 2008): 62–65. http://www.returntooursenses.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/LGBT-families-Lee-Klinger-Lesser.pdf

Read about the need for all early childhood settings to create environments where children and their families feel visible and honored. Find strategies for opening dialogue with staff and identifying and addressing common fears.
A Note on Mother's Day & Father's Day Human Rights Campaign Foundation. A Note on Mother's Day & Father's Day. Washington, DC, 2015.
Retrieved from https://welcomingschools.org/resources/inclusive-mothers-fathers-day
Explore guide to making activities for Mother's and Father's Days more welcoming for all students and their families—including families with LGBT parents, families with single moms or dads, and families with grandparents raising children.
Opening Doors: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Parents and Schools
Family Equality Council. Opening Doors: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBT) Parents and School. New York, NY, 2011.

This guide offers parents guidance on creating supportive, safe, and welcoming learning environments for all young children, with an emphasis on LGBT-headed families. Find stories of young children from LGBT-headed families, descriptions of facts/fears and rights and responsibilities, and conversation prompts to engage with LGBT-headed families.
Plenary: Parenting and Partnering: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
18th Annual Birth to Three Institute. Parenting and Partnering: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT). Washington, DC, July 2014.

Watch panel discussion for stories and conversations with LGBT-headed families.
A Practitioner's Resource Guide: Helping Families to Support Their LGBT Children Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. A Practitioner's Resource Guide: Helping Families to Support Their LGBT Children. Rockville, MD, 2014. Retrieved from http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/PEP14-LGBTKIDS/PEP14-LGBTKIDS.pdf
Find resources for practitioners in health care and social services fields about supporting families with children who identify as LGBT. Guide includes summary of research on the critical role of families in reducing risks to and promoting the well-being of LGBT children.
Report of the Early Head Start National Center Expert Work Group
Early Head Start National Resource Center. Report of the Early Head Start National Center Expert Work Group. Washington, DC, May 2013.

Learn issues LGBT-headed families face across communities. Discover strategies and recommendations to address the challenges programs face with providing services for all families in need. Recommended for federal staff, and training and technical assistance providers.
Talking to Our Children about Our Families Brickley, M., & Gelnaw, A. Talking to Children about Our Families. New Berlin, WI, n.d.
Find sample responses to questions children may have about LGBT-headed families, broken down by age groups—under age 3, ages 4-7, and ages 8 and older.
Who Can Marry Whom? Inclusive Conversations about Marriage
Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Who Can Marry Whom? Inclusive Conversations about Marriage. Washington, DC, (n.d.). Retrieved from https://welcomingschools.org/resources/who-can-marry-whom-inclusive-conversations-about-marriage

Discover sample responses to children's questions about marriage. Includes "Checklist for a Welcoming and Inclusive School Environment."

Research

Children with Parents Who Identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT)
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Parents. Washington, DC, May 2019. Retrieved from http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-with-Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-and-Transgender-Parents-092.aspx

Learn myths about outcomes for children raised by LGBT parents compared to children from heterosexual families from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Report concludes quality of parent/provider relationships with a young child affects the child's development.
LGBT Families of Color: Facts at a Glance
Movement Advancement Project. LGBT Families of Color: Facts at a Glance. Denver, CO, January 2012. Retrieved from https://www.lgbtmap.org/file/lgbt-families-of-color-facts-at-a-glance.pdf

This brief offers detailed recommendations for eliminating or reducing inequities and improving the lives of children with parents who identify as LGBT. Based on "All Children Matter: How Legal and Social Inequalities Hurt LGBT Families", a report providing a comprehensive portrait of obstacles facing LGBT- headed families in the United States.
Promoting the Well-Being of Children Whose Parents Are Gay or Lesbian
Perrin, E. C., Siegel, B. S., & Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. "Promoting the Well-Being of Children Whose Parents are Gay or Lesbian." Pediatrics (March 20, 2013): 1098-4275. Retrieved from American Academy of Pediatrics website: http://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-pdf/131/4/e1374/1099120/peds_2013-0377.pdf

Report provides research-based rationale for marriage equality, and allowing gay and lesbian adults adoption and foster care rights. Based on 30 years of research revealing children raised by gay and lesbian parents demonstrate resilience despite economic and legal disparities and social stigma.