I've never thought much about gender. It was always a thought that came and left me at random times. Whenever the issue of a woman's rights was brought up, I avoided the topic because I didn't know much about it and believed that everyone was equal. I also had no idea there were so many roles in today's society. I used to think there was only one man or one woman. Another example would be gay or lesbian. However, growing up I was exposed to different types of roles and identities. Again I didn't dwell too much on the topic. Through my higher education experience I have learned so much about the history of men and women, as well as the roles they have played. I learned that gender is something we act out and I have always been open to everything, but for some reason I could never approach a gay, lesbian or gender fluid person. I thought they would try to hit on me or that they wouldn't accept me because I wasn't a lesbian. I don't know why I made these assumptions. I guess I thought they were all the same. I have several gay, lesbian, bisexual and gender fluid friends. They are all wonderful people. These people are full of love and compassion for everyone. They don't have a bad bone in their body. I can't say in words that these people approached me and became my friends. I am a friendly person and can get along with almost everyone. That said, gay and lesbian couples provide a model for family life. They do not fit into the patterns of inequality like heterosexual couples. Gay and lesbian couples share household chores, and lesbian couples can give the same amount of input into all couple arrangements. Gay and lesbian couples also make great parents. They also faced the struggle of recognizing their sexuality and having a family. In 1976 there were between 300,000 and 500,000 gay and lesbian parents. Today it is estimated that there are between 1.5 and 5 million lesbian mothers and between one and three million gay fathers. Furthermore, there are eight and thirteen million children raised by at least gay parents. That's 5% of all children in the United States. There is no evidence that gay fathers or lesbian mothers have a negative influence on their children or that they sexually abuse their children. Studies have shown that outcomes for children in these families tend to be better than average. Research has also shown that children raised by lesbian mothers develop gender identity in the same way as children raised by a heterosexual or “normal” couple”..