A new report from the U.S. National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study (NLLFS) surveyed 75 adult offspring of lesbian parents about their feelings on being conceived by donor insemination. The offspring, who were all in their early 30s, generally felt positive about their donor conception, realizing that it enabled them to be born into a loving family that wanted them. They were grateful that the technology existed in the 1980s to allow their lesbian parents to have children, and most agreed that their nontraditional conception had influenced their concept of family, even affecting their own ability to parent in a positive way. 

"Knowing that I was so wanted is probably what makes me happiest ... I will never feel unwanted or unloved because of how intentional they were about having a family."

The NLLFS began in 1986 and has followed the same cohort of offspring from conception to adulthood. This is the first qualitative study focusing on feelings about DI among established adult offspring of lesbian parents. 

Thank you to all of the friends and supporters who joined us for our DC Spring Reception, hosted by King & Spalding. 

The evening featured a discussion with Impact Award recipient Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su and Founding Executive Director Brad Sears about the policies the Acting Secretary has implemented to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in the workplace. Earlier in the evening, we had the opportunity to present Karine Jean-Pierre, another champion of LGBTQ rights, with the Trailblazer Award for her work championing LGBTQ+ visibility throughout her career.  

The reception included remarks from the Williams Institute's Senior Director of Development Jason Rizzi, Federal Policy Director Elana Redfield, and Senior Fellow and Director of International Programs Ari Shaw.

The Williams Institute is seeking an experienced director to lead the Institute’s educational programming for judges, lawyers, law students, and the public. The Director will also be responsible for running three of the Institute’s premier annual programs: the Williams Institute Moot Court Competition, the Dukeminier Awards Journal, and the Institute’s Annual Update Conference. After the second year in the position, the Director will teach a course at UCLA Law focused on sexual orientation, gender identity, and the law.

Deadline to apply: May 31, 2024

The Williams Institute is looking for an experienced scholar who specializes in LGBTQIA+ people and issues to join our team as a Scholar of Public Policy. The Scholar will be responsible for conducting original research, supervising and supporting early career staff, and engaging with a variety of stakeholders. Applicants who use intersectional and community-based approaches in their research are encouraged to apply.

Deadline to apply: July 9, 2024

The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law is an academic research institute dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy.