Gay families just as good

Same-sex couples make just as good parents as straight couples, according to a study by the influential American Psychological Association (APA).

The organisation has called on the US government to legalise gay marriage and eliminate discrimination in adoption, parental and reproductive rights.

Discrimination of all kinds takes a toll on people’s health and psychological well-being, the APA said in its report. The APA recognises the importance of the institution of marriage which confers a social status with important legal benefits, rights and privileges.

An estimated one million to nine million US children have same-sex parents, according to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.