I am pleased to see the subject of lesbian parenting getting coverage. It’s important to note, however, that the subjects of Dr. Elisabeth Young-Bruhl’s talk were patients in her clinical care, and perhaps not representative of lesbian mothers as a whole.

Many lesbians find the number of decisions around becoming a mother to be a joyful part of the planning process, far from being burdensome or "staggering." Many "nonbiological" mothers are highly bonded to their children and feel no sense of differential power in their relationship with the "biological" mother regarding their children. While lesbian mothers, like heterosexual mothers, can sometimes grow distant from their childless friends, there is no longer a need for lesbian mothers to give up gay companionship. Many gay and lesbian parenting groups, formal and informal, exist in communities around the country. And there is a large body of data showing that lesbian and gay parents raise children who are as healthy and well adjusted as those raised by heterosexual parents.

Mary Barber, M.D.

Middletown, N.Y.