The first study into LGBT parents in Ireland revealed legal vulnerability which adversely affects gay families.

The study, published yesterday (13 February), examined the experiences of 153 LGBT people who are already parents to 272 children and 170 people who are actively attempting to become parents.

Commissioned by LGBT Diversity and was carried out by Dr Jane Pillinger and Paula Fagan, the study outlined difficulties facing LGBT parents in Ireland and recommended measures to resolve them.

The study found that six in ten of the parents studied were lesbian, nearly one in four was bisexual and one in ten was gay.

At least two in three were the biological parents to the children involved.

The study noted: ‘While over half had become parents through a previous heterosexual relationship, the remainder (49%) had done so through other pathways, such as assisted human reproduction (AHR)’.

Small amount became parents through fostering, adoption and surrogacy.

Over 30% of parents who used AHR services rated the service as ‘poor’ or ‘very bad’.

The study pointed out that ‘A sizeable majority (71%) had positive experiences of maternity services. However, in-depth interviews revealed that respondents had actively sought out maternity services and consultants that they knew to be LGBT friendly in their practices’.

Regarding children’s schooling, bullying level targeted at the children were low, however, ‘a number of interviewees reported homophobic incidents occurring at their children’s schools involving other students and some staff members’.

In addition, the study noted that while many LGBT parents are legal guardians to their children, 16% had no legal status as parents, despite them playing an active parenting role in the child’s life.

The study stated: ‘This represents 51 children who are being parented by an individual with whom they have no legal relationship’.

Three in four planned to become parents using AHR. Two in three of these were planning to do this in a private clinic in Ireland, while one in three preferred abroad.

The remainder planed to foster, adopt or use a surrogate.

At least two in five of those planning to become parents did not know what legal status they would have as parents.

The study also revealed that 46% of LGBT parents had been discriminated against in the last five years.

One parent, for example, commented that ‘there are plenty of parents who won’t let their kids come and play in my house’.

Most parents were concerned about their legal status. Parents were all concerned about ‘the inability of a parent, who is not a legal guardian, to give consent in the event of emergency medical treatment being required by their child’.

Transgender parents in particular experienced ‘significant discrimination in terms of lack of acceptance, hostile reactions and sustained negative attitudes’, which came mainly from family members.

The study made several recommendations, including legislating for the extension of guardianship/parental responsibility to all those who have a parental relationship with the child, as well as providing same-sex partners with the right to have both their names on a child’s birth certificate.