ee, 2002, April 8, p. 28) and by quoting Black's Law Dictionary: "The family unit does consist, and always has consisted, of a 'father, mother and their children, [and] immediate kindred, constituting [the] fundamental social unit in civilized society'" (Lee, 2002, April 8, p. 28). While his definition continues to be held by many in the legal and conservative establishment, increased openness, wider acceptance of homosexuality in general, and a broader willingness to create new family models in response to many different social forces are expanding this perspective.
However, homosexuality remains a controversial issue in part because of the threat it poses to the traditional view of the word ôfamily.ö (The homophobic reaction it often engenders, particularly in adult males, is another psychological issue entirely and the subject of another paper completely.) The introduction of even one gay or lesbian member, whether by the introduction of a new person or by the discovery of one in the existing unit, changes the picture in ways that many people can fi
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