What are the official positions of the Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist movements regarding gay men, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people?

Is there a correlation between the Reform Movement's position on interfaith marriages and its position on same gender relationships?

	Are children who have gay or lesbian role models (rabbi, cantor, educator, counselor) likely to become gay themselves? Based on recent psychological and sociological research endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Federation of Teachers, American Psychological Association, National Association of School Psychologists, National Association of Social Workers and National Education Association, the short answer is no. Gay and lesbian role models are not a "cause" of a child's sexual orientation. For the longer answer, we need to consider what scientists know about the development of sexual orientation and what studies show about the impact of gay men, lesbians and bisexuals who are part of the lives of children on a regular or routine basis. We also can examine the question from perspective of how including gay and lesbian role models has a positive influence in teaching tolerance and supporting a child's self-esteem. From the American Psychological Association (APA) is the current understanding of sexual orientation (from http://www.apa.org/pubinfo/answers.html ): There are numerous theories about the origins of a person's sexual orientation; most scientists today agree that sexual orientation is most likely the result of a complex interaction of environmental, cognitive and biological factors. In most people, sexual orientation is shaped at an early age. There is also considerable recent evidence to suggest that biology, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors, play a significant role in a person's sexuality. In summary, it is important to recognize that there are probably many reasons for a person's sexual orientation and the reasons may be different for different people. In response to legislation pending in the U.S. Congress to end employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, the APA offers the results of recent studies on the influence of gay role models on children (from http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbc/publications/enda.html ): The research rebuts assumptions that having a gay parent or role model is harmful to the child. Even in relationships as fundamental as that between a parent and child there is no evidence to suggest that children are negatively effected by the parents' sexual orientation. When compared to children of heterosexual parents children of gay men or lesbians are no different in their intelligence, psychological adjustment, social adjustment, popularity with friends, development of sex role identity and development of sexual orientation. Therefore, the evidence to date suggests that home environments provided by gay and lesbian parents are as likely as those provided by heterosexual parents to support and enable children's psychosocial growth. The presence of a gay role model does not encourage otherwise heterosexual children to adopt a homosexual orientation. Even in relationships as fundamental as that between a parent and child there is no evidence to suggest that children of gay fathers and lesbian mothers are more likely to be homosexual. The data show no elevated rate of homosexuality among adult children of lesbian and gay parents. In sum, the research shows that the characterization of homosexuals as exhibiting behaviors that are a threat to children is inaccurate, therefore calling into question policy decisions based on this belief. In looking at the potentially positive impact of LGBT role models, Fran Chalin, a graduate of the double masters program of the Daniels School of Jewish Communal Service, HUC-JIR and the University of Southern California School of Social Work (MJCS-MSW), parent educator and Cantorial Soloist, considers the influence of adult role models in general: If we start with the premise, and I do, that one's sexual orientation is predetermined before birth, then the sexual orientation of the role model, be it a parent, educator, religious leader, camp counselor, etc., will have no bearing on the developing sexual orientation of the child in their care. What adult role models can and do provide for children is an example of how to treat other people, regardless of their orientation. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in their research for the development of the educational program, "A World of Difference," cites the critical role of adult role models in the shaping of children's empathy, or lack there of, towards others. Adult role models can both assist or cause harm to the development of a child's self esteem. So should a child feel that they might be gay, lesbian, or bisexual and should her role models be homophobic, this can very well have a negative effect on the child's ability to feel safe. She may internalize that homophobia and begin to conceal parts of herself. That shame will have long term negative effects on her psychosocial development. Finally, we have an example of a private school changing its policy to include gay men and lesbians as dormitory parents, faculty role models living in student dorms, as a deliberate effort to demonstrate tolerance to its student body. The New York Times story is available here http://www.nytimes.com/library/national/061200exeter-gay-edu.html/. Beyond nondiscrimination in employment, beyond outreach and inclusion, there is acceptance and appreciation. This answer prepared by Karen Wilson, VRC Coordinator, and Fran Chalin, VRC Advisory Committee.
	What does "intersex" mean?
	What does "transgender" mean?