3 ms·

Good question. Yes, same sex couples do contribute to the world's family tree. I don't know of about all possibilities, but the following are examples I know o

Good question. Yes, same sex couples do contribute to the world's family tree. I don't know of about all possibilities, but the following are examples I know of personally. 1.) One of my friends has a daughter. He came from a very conservative family, married, had a child, then finally had a conversation with his wife explaining his situation. He's gay, in a relationship and has contributed to the world's family tree. 2.) Lesbian couple. Both wanted kids, so a friend of theirs (straight) contributed sperm. So, one of the partners has definitely contributed to the world's family tree.

GuiA 12y ago
Right, but if you drew a graph where nodes are humans and edges are links of genetic parentship, then you can build a complete graph without having to be aware of gay relationships. There's nothing morally wrong or right about this statement, it's just a mathematical property of a very particular social graph.
- jeremysmyth 12y ago
  A complete graph (by some definition of "complete") documents the knowledge of who both parents are, and there are many situations where you cannot get such knowledge for practical or legal reasons.
- troels 12y ago
  Depends on what exactly it is you want to map. From a purely genetic perspective you're right, but being a parent is certainly more than just contributing sperm/eggs. And besides - it's very hard to know if someone is indeed the biological father of a child, without resorting to dna testing. Who's the mother tends to be a bit more accurate, although that's also something that could be faked.
- rmc 12y ago
  Family Trees (& software) support adoption. The "genetic only" horse bolted long ago. Why support adoption for different sex couples but not same sex couples?
  - GuiA 12y ago
    Sure, but I wasn't speaking for family trees in the social sense of the word. Of course these should include same sex adoption. There are definitely uses for a genetic only tree, eg for medicine.

GuiA 12y ago

Right, but if you drew a graph where nodes are humans and edges are links of genetic parentship, then you can build a complete graph without having to be aware of gay relationships. There's nothing morally wrong or right about this statement, it's just a mathematical property of a very particular social graph.

jeremysmyth 12y ago
A complete graph (by some definition of "complete") documents the knowledge of who both parents are, and there are many situations where you cannot get such knowledge for practical or legal reasons.
troels 12y ago
Depends on what exactly it is you want to map. From a purely genetic perspective you're right, but being a parent is certainly more than just contributing sperm/eggs. And besides - it's very hard to know if someone is indeed the biological father of a child, without resorting to dna testing. Who's the mother tends to be a bit more accurate, although that's also something that could be faked.
rmc 12y ago
Family Trees (& software) support adoption. The "genetic only" horse bolted long ago. Why support adoption for different sex couples but not same sex couples?
- GuiA 12y ago
  Sure, but I wasn't speaking for family trees in the social sense of the word. Of course these should include same sex adoption. There are definitely uses for a genetic only tree, eg for medicine.