Adding to what is fast becoming a mountain of evidence, a recent study of 21,103 children aged 4-17 years, found children of same-sex parents did not differ from children of heterosexual parents in terms of emotional and mental health difficulties, as assessed by parental questionnaires. Children of bisexual parents appeared to have greater difficulties, but this difference disappeared after taking into account the bisexual parents’ own stress in the face of societal stigma.

“As lesbian, gay, and bisexual parented families become more visible, the findings bolster previous studies revealing that children raised in these families have comparable psychological well-being compared with children raised by heterosexual parents,” said Dr. Jerel Calzo, of the San Diego State University Graduate School of Public Health. Dr. Calzo was the lead author of the study published in the acclaimed journal Child Development. “In addition, the results indicate the need for continued investment in strategies to prevent sexual orientation-based discrimination and to support sexual minority parents who may experience minority stress.”

This follows hot on the heels of another study half a world away. Late last month in Australia, the Medical Journal of Australia published a review of three decades of peer-reviewed research that concluded the emotional, social and educational well-being of children raised by gay and lesbian parents was equal to their peers raised by heterosexual parents.

“The findings of these reviews reflect a broader consensus within the fields of family studies and psychology. It is family processes – parenting quality, parental well-being, the quality of and satisfaction with relationships within the family) — rather than family structures that make a more meaningful difference to children’s well-being and positive development,” the researchers told The Guardian.

India has a long way to go in protecting equal rights of LGBTQ individuals and families. Good thing there’s plenty of research to pave the way.