Woman raised in homosexual household speaks against same-sex marriage

Ottawa, Canada, Aug 25, 2005 / 22:00 pm

A Canadian woman who grew up in a homosexual household in Toronto in the 60s and 70s says same-sex marriage does not respect or protect the rights and best interests of children.

Dawn Stefanowicz said as a child she was at high risk of exposure to contagious STDs due to sexual molestation, her father's high-risk sexual behaviors, and multiple partners. She shared her personal story and her position on same-sex marriage in a statement at a pro-family rally in Ottawa on Parliament Hill in April.

Her father, who was molested by older males as a child, lived with depression, control issues, anger outbursts, suicidal tendencies and sexual compulsions. He died of AIDS in 1991.

Stefanowicz, who cared deeply for her father, noted that growing up in a gay household exposed her to "bathhouse sex, cross-dressing, sodomy, pornography, gay nudity, lesbianism, bisexuality, minor recruitment, voyeurism, and exhibitionism.” In addition, she said, "Sadomasochism was alluded to and aspects demonstrated. Alcohol and drugs were often contributing factors to lower inhibitions in my father's relationships."

After two decades of exposure to these behaviors, she became insecure, depressed, suicidal and confused over her own sexuality.

“I did not see the value of biological complementing differences of male and female or think about marriage. I made vows to never have children since I had not grown up in a safe, sacrificial, child-centered home environment,” she said.

“I can tell you that I suffered long term in this situation and this has been professionally documented … I witnessed that every other family member suffered severely as well … My gender identity, psychological well being, and peer relationships were affected.”

According to Stefanowicz, children should not be subjected to such an environment. "Same-sex marriage will put the human rights of the individual in a higher place than what is best for society, families and especially children."

Stefanowicz says her experience is not that uncommon. She said research and personal testimonies indicate that children do best with both a mother and a father in a lifelong marriage bond. “Children need responsible monogamous parents who have no extramarital sexual partners. Parental promiscuity, abuse and divorce are not good for children.

“Children need consistent appropriate boundaries and secure expressions of emotional intimacy that are not sexualized in the home and community,” she wrote.

In addition, legalized same-sex marriage will provide “a direct legal entranceway of indoctrination, desensitization, personal and political recruitment of our vulnerable children by some gay activists within our schools while silencing all students who oppose the gay agenda.

“We have an obligation, for the sake of our children, to speak freely and to direct the laws of our land,” she wrote.

Stefanowicz is currently writing her biography, soon to be published. 

For her full statement, go to: http://www.citizenimpact.ca/issues/defn_marriage/ssm_children.html