An independent voice for ethical adoption
Navigating LGBT Adoptions: Pitfalls, Protections on the Road to Parenthood
As any parent will tell you, there is no harder job on earth than raising children. Yet, as true as that might be, becoming a parent through adoption is no small feat either, and the task can be particularly daunting for gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered individuals or couples.
The face of the American family has been changing rapidly over the last few decades. The model of the “traditional family” has given way to a medley of “normal” family configurations that include stepfamilies, adoptive families, transracial and transnational families, foster families, families where extended family, or kin, parent children of relatives, and GLBT families.
This guide will focus on building GLBT families through adoption, because even as the debate about gay and lesbian marriage rages on, families continue to grow through love, strength and commitment. It may take decades for the law to “catch up” with the reality of GLBT families, but there are ways, now, to build your family. At the same time, Ethica recognizes that GLBT families face many challenges, from the policies of adoption professionals to a dearth of available information on the adoption process.
This guide is designed to provide you with necessary background information and resources to use while you are considering adoption or engaging in the adoption process. Adoption is an exciting time in your life; this guide is meant to keep your feet on the ground while your head is in the clouds. This guide is not legal advice, and should not be used in place of qualified legal counsel. It will, however, provide you with practical information that will help you make the many decisions that accompany the adoption process. So, as you read through the guide, make notes about items you would like to discuss with your attorney or other adoption professionals. With time and information, you will be able to find the path to building your family that is right for you. Peaks and valleys are expected in this emotional and sometimes difficult process, but with proper preparation you can avoid unnecessary pitfalls.
As you plan to build your family, please keep in mind this special note about the communities we serve, a message that we believe will have particular resonance within this community that has also seen its rights trampled, equality suppressed and lives marginalized: a fundamental guiding principle in our philosophy is that, whenever it is possible and safe, children should be raised by their biological parent(s). Poverty, youthful age, marital status, and gender are not valid reasons for a person to be prevented from parenting their child. Just as gender, sexual orientation, marital status and religious affiliation are not valid reasons for the GLBT community to be denied parenthood, so it should be for any parent. Please respect this guiding principal that respects all families.
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