I suspect that the benefits of having same sex parents are actually the benefits of being wanted ;).

But no, kids don't need a mother and a father. They need good parents, in whatever configuration. It's not hard to find kids other role models, too! Teachers, mentors, friends of the family, older siblings, other people's older siblings...

Honestly, kids need good parents *and* a variety of other good adults in their lives.

Doesn't matter what gender any of them are.