Donate
New Democracy Maps

Relationships at Risk: Why We Need to Update State Parentage Laws to Protect Children and Families (Infographics)


Figure 1: LGBTQ Adults Consider Many Paths to Becoming Parents
Download image here.



Figure 2: Map depicting seven states that have adopted the 2017 Uniform Parentage Act
Download image here.




Figure 3: Pathways to Establishing Parentage infographic
Download image here.




Figure 4: Map of US, where all states extend the marital presumption of parentage to children born to married couples
Download image here.



Figure 5: Map of US, highlighting the 11 states where Voluntary  Acknowledgment of Parentage  (VAP) is available
Download image here.



Figure 6: US maps depicting availability of stepparent adoption, confirmatory adoption, and co-parent/second-adoption by state
Download image here.



Figure 7: US map showing the minority of states that have assisted reproduction statutes that apply equally without regard to the martial status of intended parents
Download image here.



The following infographics are drawn from the Relationships at Risk: Why We Need to Update State Parentage Laws to Protect Children and Families, co-authored by the Movement Advancement Project (MAP), COLAGE, Family Equality, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), and NCLR. 

Stay Informed

Be the first to know about new reports and MAP news by signing up for our newsletter


Request User Access

A limited set of materials is restricted to the staff and board members of LGBTQ movement organizations. Click below to request user access.

Join MAP

View our privacy policy.

Sexual Orientation Policy Tally

The term “sexual orientation” is loosely defined as a person’s pattern of romantic or sexual attraction to people of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or more than one sex or gender. Laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation primarily protect or harm lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. That said, transgender people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual can be affected by laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation.

Gender Identity Policy Tally

“Gender identity” is a person’s deeply-felt inner sense of being male, female, or something else or in-between. “Gender expression” refers to a person’s characteristics and behaviors such as appearance, dress, mannerisms and speech patterns that can be described as masculine, feminine, or something else. Gender identity and expression are independent of sexual orientation, and transgender people may identify as heterosexual, lesbian, gay or bisexual. Laws that explicitly mention “gender identity” or “gender identity and expression” primarily protect or harm transgender people. These laws also can apply to people who are not transgender, but whose sense of gender or manner of dress does not adhere to gender stereotypes.

Choose an Issue

Choose an Issue