Gay Adoption Basics

There are several types of adoption that gay couples can explore from foster care adoption to international. It all depends on whether the agency, the state and/or the country are open to gay adoption. But the first real question to ask is whether adoption is for you.

• Deciding if Adoption Is the Right Choice for Your Gay Family
• What Are Some Adoption Options for Gay and Lesbian Couples?
• Where Is Gay Adoption Legal?

The adoption home study is one of the first hurdles in the adoption process. In the past, and perhaps in some areas of the country still today, gay couples have lied in order to adopt. Usually with one partner adopting and the other pretending to be a roommate or a friend. But it is necessary to realize the importance of honesty when adopting. It is legal to omit information, it is not legal to lie when asked a specific question. Lying in this instance is considered fraud and may be cause for an adoption to not occur or for an already established placement to disrupt.

• What Is an Adoption Home Study?
• Home Study FAQs

The exact number of gay couples who have adopted is unknown due to the fear society seems to have regarding gay parenting. But, here are a few statistics on gay and lesbian adoptions.

• How Many Children Have Gay Parents in the US?
• Can Gay and Lesbians Become Foster Parents?
• How Many Foster Children Are Living with Lesbian or Gay Foster Parents?
• How Many Children Would Be Displaced and How Much Money Lost if There Was a National Ban on Gay Foster Parents?

Many studies have been done on same sex couples in order to see how children in these unions are being raised. The studies are often biased based on who has done the research. Gay and lesbian groups show positive results, while religious or conservative groups show negative. Many of the concerns are centered around understanding sexual orientation and if children will develop problems from having gay parents. But research has not found a single study showing that children of gay or lesbian parents to be disadvantaged in any significant respect. Still there are other concerns:

• Will Children Raised in Homosexual Households Become Gay?
• Will Children be Teased if They Have Homosexual Parents?
• Will Children be Molested by Homosexual Parents?

It is more common for one partner to adopt and then for the second to apply as the second parent, or co-parent. Second parent adoptions creates a second legally recognized parent for the adoptive children. This is the only way for gay couples to both become legal parents of their children. Second parent adoptions have been granted by the courts in twenty-one states as well as D.C.

• Legal Issues for the Gay and Lesbian Family
• Where is Gay Adoption Legal?
• Choosing an LGBT Friendly Attorney
• Lesbian and Gay Adoption Rights - Pros and Cons of Gay Adoption
• Case Brief: Homosexuals and Adoption - Equal Protection - Gay adoption in Florida
• The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute: Eliminating Barriers to Gay Adoption

After the adoption is final or when your first foster care placement moves in...life goes on. All families need support from family and friends. Some gay couples find that their parents, who may at one time have been upset when they came out, come back around when grandchildren enter the picture. Hopefully you have lots of support in your "real world", for more support check out these resources.

• Gay and Lesbian Parenting Sites
• Reading List for Gay Parents

It's also a good thing when kids can read books about families just like their own.

• Gay Adoption Reading for Gay/Lesbian Families

I hope this information is of some benefit. May the best happen for all involved as we work to help children find homes and families.