Heather Barwick was raised by lesbian parents. She wrote this open letter to The Federalist in March 2015.

Dear Gay Community, your kids are hurting.

“I am writing to you because I am letting myself out of the closet. I don’t support gay marriage. But it might not be for the reason that you think. It’s not because you’re gay. I love you so much. It’s because of the nature of the same-sex relationship itself. Growing up, and even into my twenties, I supported and advocated for gay marriage. It’s only with some time and distance from my childhood that I’m able to reflect on my experiences and recognise the long term consequences that same-sex parenting had on me and it’s only now, as I watch my children loving and being loved by their father each day, that I can see the beauty and wisdom in traditional marriage and parenting.“

This story is not isolated. And the issues boil down to this:

It is the birthright of every child to be raised by their biological mother and father, and children do best in that environment.

Sometimes death of a parent or other life situations fracture this ideal, but it should be upheld whenever that is within our power.

And when it is not possible for a child to be raised by biological parents, it is:

• the right of the child
• and in the best interests of the child
• to receive the unique care of a mother
• and a father

Mums and dads are different, and each is vital in a child’s upbringing. Again, that is not discriminatory against homosexuals. It is simply stating the obvious.

SSM conflicts with these rights – it clearly denies children the right to either a father or a mother.

Some might argue that adoption by homosexual couples is already legal in many states, so SSM laws would make no difference. The fact is SSM laws do make a difference. SSM laws validate and strengthen misdirected adoption laws, leading to increased numbers of children adopted to homosexual couples, and that has proven to be the case in countries which have embraced SSM.

For an outstanding non-religious, non-homophobic australian made clip on why we have marriage this is a must see:

Click the above image to view movie clip

Why have marriage at all? Why does the Government get involved in marriage? Why not just let people do what they want, as many already do?
Because the primary role of marriage is the procreation and care of children, who are vulnerable in that they cannot speak and care for themselves. Because of that vulnerability responsible governments establish laws to encourage responsible and enduring parenting: for example minimum age for marriage, parental consent for younger people, limitations on interfamily marriage, 30 days’ notice, and more.

Ironically, government legislated SSM laws contradict and violate that responsibility.

Many homosexuals claim same sex parenting is not detrimental to children. Is that true?

Numerous studies (see Research speaks out) have been done to determine the success or otherwise of raising children in diverse family structures: biological parents, adopting parents, bereaved single parents, divorced single parents, step-parents, blended families etc.

Overwhelmingly it has been found that children do best when raised by married biological parents who are still married.

In addition, the further the family arrangement moves away from that ideal, the greater the tendency for a worse outcome for children.

An even more compelling case can be drawn if we hear from children raised by homosexuals…