There’s a core belief at the heart of adoption: Family is more than biology.
Family is love.
Due to our belief in this absolute truth, we are proud to fully support LGBTQ adoption. We assist in many LGBTQ adoptions and have been honored to help hundreds of wonderful couples fulfill their dream of becoming parents.
Today’s families are more diverse than ever, especially in the world of adoption — transracial, multicultural, same-sex and single-parent families are all often created through adoption. Same-sex adoption statistics suggest that more and more gay couples are adopting. In fact, same-sex couples are four times more likely to be raising an adopted child and six times more likely to be raising foster children than heterosexual couples. Today, 4 percent of adopted children and 3 percent of foster children are raised by gay and lesbian parents, and 2 million more LGBTQ individuals are interested in adopting.
Adoption can be a great way for same-sex couples to realize their dreams of parenthood. If you are one of those 2 million LGBTQ individuals considering adoption, read on to learn more about same-sex adoption laws, the adoption process for LGBTQ couples and how American Adoptions can help you grow your family through adoption.
Gay Adoption Laws — Where Can Same-Sex Couples Adopt?
Throughout the history of gay adoption, same-sex couples have often faced barriers to growing their families and have had to fight for equal adoption rights. Fortunately, today there is much more support and acceptance for same-sex marriage and adoption, and all states now allow LGBTQ adoption.
Mississippi was the last state to overturn laws banning LGBTQ adoption, which a federal judge deemed unconstitutional in 2016. Combined with the federal marriage equality ruling in 2015, this court decision now protects the right for gay couples to adopt throughout the United States. However, like opposite-sex couples, there may still be restrictions on adoption laws for gay couples based on marital status, from state to state. Learn more about eligibility requirements to foster or adopt a child in your state.
While LGBTQ couples can adopt jointly in all 50 states, some adoption professionals are more LGBTQ-friendly than others. Since the Supreme Court ruling in 2015, some states have advanced legislation that gives private adoption professionals the ability to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.
If you are pursuing adoption for your family, choose an adoption agency like American Adoptions that is welcoming of LGBTQ parents and has experience in completing same-sex adoptions.
How Can Gay Couples Adopt? The LGBTQ Adoption Process
In general, the process for same-sex couple adoption is no different than for other parents. At American Adoptions, our program, costs and wait times are the same for gay and lesbian parents as for heterosexual couples.
Same-Sex Adoption: Pros and Cons
Adoption is a great way for same-sex couples to grow their families, but there are some advantages and challenges of adoption to take into consideration before beginning the process. The pros and cons are the same for LGBTQ adoptions as they are for any other adoption — someone’s sexuality has no impact on their ability to be an amazing parent and their chance of experiencing challenges in the adoption process.
In general, LGBT parents enjoy all of the same benefits of adoption as other adopting parents, including:
- The opportunity to share their lives with a child and experience all of the joys of parenthood
- The ability to get to know and form special relationships with the child’s birth family
- The opportunity to raise a child in need of a loving home
In addition, children of same-sex couples may have the added advantage of being more open-minded and sympathetic to differences, and they will enjoy all of the stability and benefits of being raised in a two-parent home.
While the benefits of adoption are clear, gay adoptive parents will likely also face many of the same challenges that heterosexual adoptive parents experience: addressing their children’s racial or cultural identity, managing birth parent relationships in an open adoption, talking to their child about adoption and simply adjusting to parenthood.
In addition, there may be some additional considerations for same-sex couples to keep in mind as they begin the adoption process:
- Gay International Adoption: In general, it is easier for LGBTQ couples to adopt domestically than internationally. While many same-sex couples have successfully completed international adoptions, several countries still prohibit gay adoption. If you are considering international adoption to grow your family, carefully research countries that allow gay adoption.
- False Ideas About Gay Adoption’s Effects on Children: While it has commonly been used as an argument against gay and lesbian adoption, studies have shown that same-sex adoption does not have a negative impact on children. Research shows that children raised by LGBT parents grow up as successfully as children raised by heterosexual parents. In addition, there are no significant differences in the development of gender identity and sexual orientation between children of gay and lesbian parents and children of heterosexual parents, according to research presenting gay adoption facts and same-sex adoption statistics.
- LGBT Parenting: While attitudes toward same-sex marriage and adoption are improving, same-sex parents and their children unfortunately may still face prejudice and discrimination from people in their communities. Adoptive parents should be prepared to talk to their children about the many ways families are made and how they can respond to potential negative comments.
As LGBTQ adoption in the United States continues to increase and society continues to be more accepting of different family types, more hopeful parents are choosing to complete their families through same-sex couple adoption.
Resources for Same-Sex Couples Adopting
If you are a member of the LGBTQ community and are considering adoption, or if you have additional questions about your adoption options, contact one of our experienced adoption specialists at 1-800-ADOPTION. The following resources can also offer additional information and support for gay couples considering adoption:
Thousands of LGBTQ couples have realized their dreams of parenthood through adoption. When you are ready to start your own adoption journey, American Adoptions can help. Call 1-800-ADOPTION or request free adoption information to get started today.
Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. America Adoptions, Inc. provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.
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