Final answer:
Gay or lesbian families differ from heterosexual families mainly due to societal acceptance and treatment, rather than the presence of children or different emphases on money and careers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major distinction between gay or lesbian families and heterosexual families is the societal acceptance and legal recognition of their relationships and their conceptualization of family. While there are concerns from some groups about the upbringing of children in same-sex households, research, such as that by Biblarz and Stacey in 2010, has shown that children of same-sex parents experience similar, if not slightly better, outcomes in terms of behavioral issues and self-esteem when compared to those of opposite-sex parents.
Additionally, issues of sexual orientation and societal treatment of homosexuals and bisexuals, as evidenced by the discrimination highlighted in the 2011 study by Sears and Mallory, indicate that gay/lesbian families still face challenges such as negativity and are treated differently in various aspects of society.