Same-sex couples raising children on the rise

(CBS News) NEW YORK - On this Father's Day Eve, we take notice of a sea change. The Census Bureau estimates that the percentage of same-sex couples raising children has more than doubled in just 10 years, from 8 percent in 2000, to 19 percent in 2010. We visit one of the couples behind the numbers.

As a same-sex couple, Sean McGill and Luigi Caiola say they never contemplated fatherhood.

"We never imagined or never thought that children would be an option for us," said McGill.

But after almost 10 years together, they were drawn to the idea of parenting.

"We were watching my siblings starting to raise children and Sean's siblings had had children," said Caiola. "And we started thinking, well you know, I think we can do this just as well as they can."

Adoption is the primary path for many same-sex couples but it can be legally difficult. One state, Mississippi, bans gay people from adopting. Nineteen others require parents to be married for joint adoptions.

Public opinion is divided. A recent poll showed 54 percent in favor or strongly in favor, 40 percent opposed or strongly opposed; 4 percent undecided.

"Parenting is one of the greatest joys any human being can experience," said Dr. Kim Bergman, who runs Growing Generations. It matches same-sex parents with a surrogate -- a woman who agrees to carry a child on their behalf. About 80 percent of her clients are gay men, many in their 20s.

"They're assuming that they are going to get married and have babies just like everybody else."

"Our daily routines, our lives,what we do with our kids is exactly what any other family would be like," said Caiola.

Caiola and McGill have now gone through surrogacy twice -- for 5-year-old Maria, and 4-year-old twins Adam and William.

"We are living our lives and very rarely do we take notice that we're two dads," said McGill.

"Having them has been the most joyful, fulfilling experience of my life -- of our lives," said Caiola.

These dads say they look forward every milestone. This fall, sons Adam and William will enter pre-kindergarten. Daughter Maria starts first grade.

[EternalCrow]

IMO.. it doesn't matter if you are for or against homosexuality. What your beliefs are. What your religion believes or how you were taught growing up. It doesn't matter if homosexuality is right or wrong. In the end... Gays and Lesbians are human beings who wishes the same as any one on this planet. To be loved, to be treated with respect, to be allowed to be happy, etc.

I am a lesbian, I was married to a man for 20 yrs. I struggled nearly all of my life with who I was. When I came out, it was a shock to my family and for a long while, they disowned me. Treating me as if I was scum of the earth. My ex in particular made a point to tell me this in no uncertain terms. My youngest brother, was the only one who accepted me. He told my GF that it didn't matter to him. He had seen how unhappy I was before and how happy I was now. I thought my mother was going to have a heart attack when she found out. I asked her to ignore how she felt about me, but to look at my girlfriend who she is, rather than what she is. Last August, my mother died. A couple of weeks before she died, she told my GF that she was glad she came into my life and THANKED her for making me happy. She told my gf of what I had asked of her and she did. She said, that she still doesn't accept the "lifestyle" but she accepts my happiness above all. A year after of me coming out... my family (except my father) treats my gf and I no different than anyone else. My ex and I are very good friends and he and my gf share a lot of laughs together.

Now onto the adoption/child issue. I came into this relationship with my daughter and my gf's 2 young grandsons (who just happen to call me mom, which confuses alot of people-gay and straight lol) I hear a lot about how gays and lesbians are incapable of raising children, that we are ruining their lives. My daughter who was 8 at the time, when asked if it it was a problem for her,said " why would it? you're happy aren't you?" I said yes and she said okay.. love you mommy and ran off to play. My gf's youngest son is doing marvelously for himself. Both of his parents are gay. He always says "it takes to gays' to make a straight".. :-)

For the boys, they were not so lucky. There is a reason why their lesbian grandmother is raising them. Their biological straight mom and dad abused them. Mom abused drugs (adderall and meth)and the boys were meth babies which has created a great deal of issues for the boys. One of the boys is MR because of the drug usage. The youngest son is dealing with even more issues. He was raped and molested, then forced to witness his mother being passed around (an orgy) then was told to join in (he was 3-4yrs old). He was given marauana(sp) at this age. The mother and her boyfriend abused him physically and when he asked for food, he was given a garbage can and told that his food was in there. to this day, he will ask for 2nds before he ever sits down with the first. He hoards food and sneaks into it. Both boys are in extensive therapy. Their bio dad is in prison!

So please tell me how being straight is the only way to make a child happy and stable? There are thousands of children that are unwanted and desperately need homes, should it really matter if the parent/s are gay or not? To me, I would think it should matter that the children are happy! Jesus himself never said "love one another as I have loved you.. oh unless you are gay, then tough turds, you're on your own".. Pfft! I believe it actually goes like this..."Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another".
Thank you for your time.. blessing to all of you!

[rwsmith29456]

A lot of kids need a stable home. Whoever can provide that is a lot better than parents who don't care anything about their children.

[Ulgnud]

There was a time when society protected children from those who choose the gay lifestyle. Now we have children growing up being taught this perversion is normal. Once the family unit is destroyed the civilization it supported will collapse as well. To be sure there will be all sorts of "hate responses". Matters little to me. I know where I stand and these people will not change that.

[RichZubaty]

I oppose gay marriage. But I am TOTALLY in favor of homosexual families raising children. My adult children are paying my Social Security, AND the Social Security for those gays my age who never took on the burden of having children. Indeed, the best way to legitimize gay marriage is to adopt kids, raise them, and contribute to this country's future, not just party away the moment. Raising kids is tough good work.

[hypnotoad72]

A reasoned response, thank you!

[themanfrombrum]

Kids need a MOMMY not two daddies.

[vsmit]

Wrong. The ideal family is a "father knows best" mommy AND daddy. Unfortunately, there are not enough of these families for all the children in need. A caring, loving family is the next best thing, regardless of whether they are mixed sex or same sex.

[lillyhorton]

Many people who were raised by their fathers turned out just fine.

[littlestar4q]

LuisTp is right. Censorship is on the rise.

[littlestar4q]

If the homosexual could be detected in the womb during the first trimester we wouldn't have to deal with any of this insanity . I am confident that one day this will be possible.

[vsmit]

I am confident bigotry can also be detected in the womb. Then we would no longer have to deal with these types of postings

[Drivelphobe001]

littlestar4q.....Good point and now that gender can be used as a basis to abort a fetus, I have changed my position on choice. Once the determination has been made that the fetus is homosexual, abortion should be mandated by law.

[nirak2-2009]

I hope that someday we can detect Idiots like you and abort them.

[hypnotoad72]

Replace 'homosexual' with any issue of your choice.

I'm sure some will even find a way to say 'black skin' or 'Jew'...

[Ulgnud]

You will never detect it in the womb because it is a choice of lifestyle. Get used to it.

[Drivelphobe001]

Ulgnud......No one will "get used to" homosexuality. If it's not genetic, then learned is worse. That makes adoption by homosexuals completely out of line since they will teach their wards to practice this repulsive lifestyle. I can buy that it has genetic basis and it has yet to be proven that it is not. However, nothing could be worse than learning to be a homosexual. If that is true, it should be punished with incarceration like learning to steal, rape, and murder. It is anti nature and anti humanity. There is no place in society for homosexuality.

[NaturalGirl]

I very much enjoyed this video segment. It's heartwarming and reassuring to see this wonderful family together. Happy Fathers' Day to you both. Hope you see many more.

[Drivelphobe001]

How ridiculous.

[RepublicansRFiscalLibs]

by LuisTP June 16, 2012 8:30 PM EDT
First, there is no "Gay gene", homosexuals are not born

-----

Did you choose to be hetero?

[Ulgnud]

It is a lifestyle choice. End of story.

[rwsmith29456]

Not the end of the story Ulgnud. I couldn't/wouldn't 'choose' a gay lifestyle simply because I'm not gay.

[NaturalGirl]

Sean and Luigi, What an absolutely LOVELY family. Those children are so blessed to have you both, and each other. Happy Fathers' Day to you both. Many, many more to come, I hope.