Ralph Reed: Two 'Biological Parents' Best for Children

Two biological parents are best for children, according to Faith and Freedom Coalition president Ralph Reed. “And it’s not even a close call.”

In a panel discussion on NBC’s “Meet the Press” today, Reed said, “The verdict of social science is overwhelming and irrefutable. And that is without regard to straight or gay. In other words, this applies to one-parent households, it applies to foster homes, it applies to the whole panoply – they’ve looked at them all – that the enduring, loving, intact, biological mother and father is best for children.”

The discussion came after host David Gregory referenced a poll showing acceptance of same-sex marriage had exactly reversed numbers since 2006. Seven years ago, 58 percent of Americans opposed same-sex marriage, 36 percent favored it. Today, 36 percent oppose and 58 percent favor it.

Fellow panelist Hilary Rosen took issue with Reed, pointing out that more than 60 percent of evangelical youth support gay marriage – “unlike a lot of other issues that Ralph works on.”

Twitter lit up after Reed’s appearance, with @LiberalCanuck tweeting, “Hey bigot @ralphreed. I live in a single parent household. Straight A student, on student council. Don't tell me 2 parents is better than 1.”

Reed wrote back, “Proud of u. Studies show both parents ideal. Never said children raised by single parents can't succeed. They can & do.”

@beewel wrote: “The teenage father or Drug addicted mom will be a better parent than a gay or lesbian couple? Very narrow mind” – to which Reed responded, “issue not gay/straight. It's intact, loving biological mom/dad in a durable marriage. Verdict of social science clear.”

BuzzFeed included adoptive parents in its report on Reed’s remarks, but it wasn’t clear if Reed literally mean biological parents only, or if adoptive parents were included. He didn’t actually use the term “adoptive,” but did use the phrase, “the whole panoply.” Reed has not yet responded to a question from Newsmax to clarify.

The Supreme Court takes up challenges this week to the federal Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8. Both laws limit the ability of gays to marry.