LGBT Adoption Facts | Gay Couple Adoption Facts

For many, LGBT adoption is still a new concept, and the image of a “perfect” family includes a mother and a father of opposite sexes. We know this is a just a stereotype. Today, more and more lesbian and gay couples are becoming parents, whether through artificial insemination, a surrogate or LGBT adoption. LifeLong Adoptions caters to heterosexual couples, single parents, and gay and lesbian families looking to adopt.

Facts About Agencies & LGBT Adoption

Almost 40% of all agencies and 83% of public agencies reported making at least one LGBT adoption placement with a lesbian or gay man. However, one-third of agencies would reject a lesbian and gay couple applicant, either because of the religious beliefs guiding the agency, a state law prohibiting placement with LGBT parents, or a policy of placing children only with married couples. Additionally, agency heads are more likely to have negative views towards lesbian and gay couples adopting when they associate such adoptions with greater evaluation and support needs. As a gay-friendly adoption agency, we were appalled to hear such discrimination.

Additional Facts Supporting Gay Adoption Rights:

  • There is no reliable evidence that homosexual orientation, impairs psychological functioning. Second, beliefs that lesbian and gay adults are not fit parents have no empirical foundation.1
  • Good parenting is not influenced by sexual orientation. It is influenced most by a parent’s ability to create a loving and nurturing home. This ability has nothing to do with whether the parent is gay or straight.1
  • There is no evidence to support claims that children of lesbian and gay parents are less intelligent, suffer from more problems, are less popular, or have lower self-esteem than children of heterosexual parents.1
  • Research suggests that sexual identities (including gender identity, gender-role behavior, and sexual orientation) develop in much the same ways among children of gay and lesbian parents as they do among children of heterosexual parents.1
  • There is no conclusive evidence that homosexuality is linked to one's environment. In other words, growing up in a gay couple household will not "make" a child gay.1
  • Studies have shown that children are more influenced by their interactions with their parents than by their parents’ sexual orientation.1
  • Adopted children in the United States with same-sex parents are younger and more likely to be foreign born.2
  • Same-sex couples in all states except Mississippi can petition for joint adoption statewide.3
  • States that allow same-sex couples to petition for a second parent adoption include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.3

For more information on LGBT adoption, same sex adoption, or the adoption process, please contact us anytime. Or feel free to take advantage of our free adoption application. We look forward to connecting you with the perfect addition to your family.

Sources:

(1) Overview of Lesbian and Gay Parenting, Adoption and Foster Care. American Civil Liberties Union, New York, NY.

(2) Equality Maps: Foster and Adoption Laws. Movement Advancement Project. Denver, CO.

READY TO BEGIN YOUR ADOPTION JOURNEY?

Complete your free online application today.
Start My Journey

LifeLong Adoptions is a licensed adoption agency in the state of Florida (License #100311951)

LifeLong Adoptions is a licensed adoption agency in the state of Texas (License #1796653)

LifeLong Adoptions, Inc. is an independent contractor in Illinois operating under the supervision of ACFB (License #283072)

© Copyright 2024 LifeLong Adoptions. Privacy Policy | Terms All rights reserved

Start Your Adoption Journey Today! Free Application

All Posts