Social science research on heterosexual relationship dissolution and divorce where one parent comes out as LGB

Tasker, Fiona and Rensten, K. (2019) Social science research on heterosexual relationship dissolution and divorce where one parent comes out as LGB. In: Goldberg, A.E. and Romero, A.P. (eds.) LGBTQ Divorce and Relationship Dissolution: Psychological and Legal Perspectives and Implications for Practice. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780190635176.

Abstract

The focus of our chapter is on families formed by lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) parents who had children in the context of a prior heterosexual relationship (PHR). While LGB parents seemingly face some similar problems to heterosexual parents in separating and divorcing, different matters often arise when a heterosexual relationship ends and a parent defines a new sense of self as an LGB parent, and discloses their sexual identity to others. LGB parenthood via a PHR will likely involve the ongoing acknowledgment of an ex-partner’s relationship with the child in terms of access and visits, possibly co-parenting with the ex-partner, and the legacy of parenting in a heteronormative context. If the LGB parent forms a new same-gender partnership, then this new partner is also confronted with a pre-existing heterosexual family context. In this chapter, we consider how family law relates to, empowers, and disempowers LGB parents following a heterosexual relationship, highlighting how sexual minority status can interface with race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, and location. Our literature review is selective rather than comprehensive as we highlight the issues faced in LGB families following a PHR; we focus on studies that have emphasized the experiences of LGB parents, new same-gender partners, and children in these families. First, we consider the legal framework surrounding LGB parenting following a PHR. Second, we briefly review the demography of LGB parenthood via a PHR. Third, we consider how parenthood via a PHR influences the experience of coming out and making a new same-gender partnership. Fourth, we review research into children’s responses to the disclosure of their parent’s sexual identity. Last, we consider the complexities of family relationships in LGB parented families following a PHR. In the remainder of the chapter, we will refer to LGB people who became parents via a PHR as “LGB parents PHR” or some variation of that, and we will refer to their families following the heterosexual relationship as “LGB families PHR,” “PHR families,” or some variation.

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