Suggestions for Researchers [HTML][PDF]

RESEARCH ADVICE

RESEARCH Notes for Researchers Facts Frequently Asked Questions Research Advice Bibliography Summary of Existing Research Ideas for Further Research

American Psychological Association

You can find out more than you ever wanted to by calling the American Psychological Association's Public Information Directorate in Washington DC at (800) 374-2721 (or if you are outside North America, +1 (202) 336-5500. Or visit them at www.apa.org.

Request their publication on lesbian and gay parents and their children by Dr. Charlotte Patterson. If you are lucky, it'll be in print (ask them), and they'll send you one for free. This booklet reviews all the available research, thoroughly summarizes each study, and has great commentary on the methodologies and results. This should be your first approach, especially if you don't need to look at original copies of the published studies.

Or, most of the booklet is online at: The American Psychological Association's Public Interest website.

Article that is a good starting point

Patterson, Charlotte J. "Children of Lesbian and Gay Parents." Child Development. 1992, 1025-42. This article provides a comprehensive summary of the research on people with LGBT parents to-date.

COLAGE

Your third source of good info is COLAGE. We are happy to help you when possible with information, interviews or referrals. You can contact us by email, phone, or letter. The more specific you are about what you need, the better we can help you.

Another hint: unless you have an LGBT parent yourself, you are not able to join or observe any of the groups COLAGE offers for people with LGBT parents, including those we offer on the Internet. These groups are safe spaces for folks with LGBT parents that we keep confidential and private. You are welcome to attend our public events, read our resources and publications and use this website to gather first hand knowledge of people with LGBT parents. In some cases we are able to post a Call for Participants for interviewees or study participants via our Speak Out program and Net News lists. Please submit a short, clear call for participants to us via email and we may be able to pass it along to people with LGBT parents.