Adoption
From LGBT Info, the free gender/sexuality resource anyone can edit.
LGBT adoption refers to the adoption of children by lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered people.
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[edit] Legal status around the world
[edit] Europe
[edit] United States
[edit] Canada
[edit] Australia
[edit] New Zealand
[edit] South America
In Uruguay, first south american country in legalizing same-sex civil unions, a law accepting gay adoption and promoted by the government is currently discussed in the national parliament.[3]
[edit] Israel
[edit] Financial considerations
A report from UCLA Law School's Williams Institute and the Urban Institute found that forbidding qualified gays, lesbians and bisexuals from adopting or fostering children could cost the United States between $87 million and $130 million per year.[4][5]
[edit] Controversy
There is some controversy surrounding adoption by same-sex couples. The controversy generally concerns whether or not there will be negative consequences for children raised by same-sex couples. Specific questions include the potential for gender confusion, biased sexual orientation, or the general well-being of such children. Social science research has shown that parents' sexual orientation has no bearing on that of children, and that children of LGBT couples fare as well as other children in many objective measures[6]; the American Psychological Association, Child Welfare League of America, American Academy of Pediatrics, and many other relevant professional organizations believe LGBT parents to be as qualified as heterosexuals. Nevertheless, many object to LGBT parenting on moral or cultural grounds, and the issue is considered a part of the West's culture war. For a brief survey of related arguments and sociological studies, see the main article.
Many same-sex couples are already coparenting children without legal status for the nonbiological parent; some advocates thus argue that adoption can simply normalize and add stability to an existing arrangement, while opponents of LGBT parenting contend that such arrangements are harmful to children and should not be encouraged.
Adoption.com is one the biggest, and possibly most widely used adoption websites in the United States.
In a decision made by U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton on May 21st, 2007, Adoption.com as well as its sister company ParentProfiles.com were denied the privilege of marketing their services to the people of California. It was found that the companies had failed to fully comply with California anti-discrimination laws which extend to sexual orientation and marital status. The internet companies, who act as a medium for people who are seeking to adopt, expectant mothers looking to place their child in an adoptive home and agencies with available children for adoption, have denied services to homosexual couples, single persons and all couples not considered legally married, by not allowing these persons to post profiles of themselves on the sites for the purpose of making contact with expectant mothers seeking homes for their children. By denying services to these persons the companies have perpetrated acts of discrimination based on sexual orientation and marital status. These companies provide services to, and gain profit from, numerous states across the U.S., however at least nineteen states, in which the companies do business, have various anti-discrimination laws which are being violated by these companies. These states are Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin respectively.
[edit] See also
- LGBT parenting
- Adoption
- Heterosexism
- Same-sex marriages and civil unions
- LGBT rights
[edit] Bibliography
- New Zealand Law Commission: Adoption- Options for Reform: Wellington: New Zealand Law Commission Preliminary Paper No 38: 1999: ISBN 1-877187-44-5
[edit] Further reading
- Lerner, Brenda Wilmoth & K. Lee Lerner (eds) (2006). Gender issues and sexuality : essential primary sources.. Thomson Gale. ISBN 1414403259. Primary resource collection and readings. Library of Congress. Jefferson or Adams Bldg General or Area Studies Reading Rms
- Lerner, Brenda Wilmoth & K. Lee Lerner (eds) (2006). Family in society : essential primary sources.. Thomson Gale. ISBN 1414403305. Primary resource collection and readings. Library of Congress. Jefferson or Adams Bldg General or Area Studies Reading Rms
- Stacey, J. & Davenport, E. (2002) Queer Families Quack Back, in: D. Richardson & S. Seidman (Eds) Handbook of Lesbian and Gay Studies. London, SAGE Publications), 355-374.
[edit] References
- ↑ Samtokin:LGBT-Rights
- ↑ [Pinknews:Norway's gay marriage law also grants new parental rights
- ↑ Uruguay: avanza un proyecto para que los gays puedan adoptar
- ↑ G. Gates, et al., Adoption and Foster Care by Gay and Lesbian Couples in the United States, March 2007.
- ↑ According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, "About 30% of children in foster care have severe emotional, behavioral, or developmental problems." "Facts For Families: Foster Care", American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, May 2005.
- ↑ Patterson, Charlotte J. (2006). Children of Lesbian and Gay Parents. Current Directions in Psychological Science (Vol. 15, Issue 5, pp 241-244). Blackwell Publishing
[edit] External links
- Gay adoption group - "newfamilysocial": LGB adoption resource, and UK based support group.
- www.adoptionconnections.ca: Canadian online adoptive parent registry, "Dear Birthparent" letter consultation, adoption forums.
- Families Joined by Love - Books and resources for LGBT Families.
- AICAN - Australian Intercountry Adoption Network
- National Center for Lesbian Rights - Information about the legal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families, including a legal information hotline.
- AAP News Release - AAP Says Children of Same-sex Couples Deserve Two Legally Recognized Parents
- New Position Statement Adopted by the American Psychiatric Association (APA): Adoption and Co-Parenting of Children by Same-Sex Couples (PDF)
- [dead link – Let Him Stay history]
- A site that describes a recent effort by GLBTQ parents to overturn Florida's ban.
- PrideFamilies.com - Resources for LGBT families.
- The Pride Family Flag web site - The story of the new LGBT family flag.
- Gay.com - Adoption and Parenting - News and Current Events pertaining to the rights and responsibilities of same-sex parents in adopting and parenting.
- Family Pride Coalition - The only US-based national level non-profit organization solely dedicated to advocating for LGBT parents and their families.
- Families Like Ours - Adoption resource center with a focus on same-sex parenting.
- The Rockway Institute for LGBT research in the public interest at Alliant International University
- COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere)
- Canada.com "In the Family Way" - News story of gay and lesbian adoptive families, and the surrogate and donor family.
- Families Like Mine
- Diverse Family Resource, PC, Advocates and supporters of LGBT families
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