LGBTQ+ Adoption FAQ with Adoption Agency in Colorado
Are you considering LGBTQ+ adoption for your child? When it comes to choosing an adoptive family, you can be involved as much or as little as you want to in the process. Some birth mothers do not want to be involved in choosing the adoptive family, in which case, Adoption Choices of Colorado will choose a wonderful and loving family to adopt your baby. On the other hand, some birth mothers want to choose the adoptive family and have a certain type of family in mind. There is no right or wrong way to go about your adoption journey. If you do choose to be involved in the adoptive family selecting process, it is important to pick an adoptive family that you feel will give your child the best and most enriching life possible. Maybe you want your baby to grow up in a sporty family or an artistic one. You may want your baby to grow up with siblings, be raised by a single parent, or an LGBTQ+ couple. There are many options open to you. If you are open to the idea of LGBTQ+ parents adopting and loving your child, that is an option for you. If you are considering LGBTQ+ adoption for your child, you probably have a lot of questions when it comes to LGBTQ+ adoption. So here is an LGBTQ+ adoption FAQ with an adoption agency in colorado.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
Is it more difficult for LGBTQ+ Adoption to Take Place?
It is no more difficult for LGBTQ+ parents to adopt than it is for heterosexual couples to adopt. The adoption process can be a long one for any party involved. At Adoption Choices of Colorado, all potential adoptive parents must undergo a background check. This is to make sure that the adoptive parents are financially and emotionally ready to adopt and raise a child. Every adoption process is unique and different, so there is no definitive answer on how long an adoption can take. The important takeaway is that heterosexual couples and LGBTQ+ couples must go through the same process to become adoptive parents.
As a birth mother, you will have the option to choose the adoptive parents of your child. If you would like your child to be raised by an LGBTQ+, that is an option for you, and it is not going to be a more difficult adoption process because you are choosing LGBTQ+ adoption.
Will my child identify as LGBTQ+ if they are raised in an LGBTQ+ household?
Many people believe the myth that being raised by gay parents will make a child gay. Children raised by LGBTQ+ parents are no different than children raised in a traditional household with heterosexual parents. Children raised by gay parents have the same chance of being gay as children raised by heterosexual parents.
There are many different ways to form a family. The important thing is that the family loves and cares for one another. Your child’s adoptive family will love and cherish your child regardless of whether or not they are members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Will, my child be bullied because their parents are LGBTQ+?
Unfortunately, society still holds stereotypes when it comes to LGBTQ+ families. LGBTQ+ couples face discrimination, and your child could face some teasing because of this.
However, there is an upside to this. Many children of LGBTQ+ couples grow up to be more resilient and learn how to stand up for themselves and those they care about. Your child is also more likely to be more tolerant and empathetic towards those that are different since they will grow up in a non-traditional family.
Is LGBTQ+ Adoption Good for My Child?
It is becoming more and more common for birth mothers to place their children into LGBTQ+ homes. LGBTQ+ adoption can provide a safe and fulfilling life for your baby. At the end of the day, the family that you choose to adopt your child is completely up to you. Adoption Choices of Colorado will be with you every step of the way.
There are a lot of decisions to be made when it comes to adoption and choosing an adoptive family. LGBTQ+ Adoption is not all that different from heterosexual adoptions. If you choose an LGBTQ+ adoption for your child, your child will go to a loving home where they will be nurtured and cherished just as they would be with any other adoptive family that you choose.
Are you interested in LGBTQ+ adoption for your child?
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want to learn more about your adoption options, contact Adoption Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Text us: 720-371-1099, Call us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). If you are hoping to adopt, please contact us here.
Hunter Frederick is a graduate of Siena College with a degree in English and a Theatre Certificate. She is the co-author of the virtual reality play, Paneless, along with the play, the Little Vagabond, based on William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience. She is also the co-author of a historical play, Yours, for the Oppressed, based on the lives of Albany Abolitionists, Harriet and Stephen Myers, who toured Underground Railroad Sites of New York State.
In her free time, you can find Hunter cooking in the kitchen while listening to Musical Theatre songs.
Stephanie joined the Adoption Choices family in 2014 as the Child Placement Supervisor. Her love for adoption began in first grade when she made friends with twins adopted from Vietnam. Her heart grew strong over the years for adopted children and ultimately led her to graduate school where she continued her focus to her dream of working in the adoption field. Stephanie earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 2001. Over the past 15 years, Stephanie has worked as a pregnancy counselor and as an adoptive parent counselor for foster care, international adoption and domestic adoption, writing hundreds of home studies for families, and helping build their forever families. Stephanie is married and has three boys ages 12, 9, and 5. Together with her family she enjoys riding bike, playing games, watching her three sons compete in their various sporting and musical activities and go on vacations.
Christy Ikeler, is our Executive Director and Birth Parent Director. Christy has been with Adoption Choices Team for 18 years, since opening the doors in 2002! Christy has a true passion for what she does and her true love is working with and helping each birth parent. Whether she is up all night on the phone talking with them, taking them to doctors appointments, out for their favorite treat, providing counseling or at the hospital during labor and delivery, Christy is very involved every step of the way. She has a contagious laugh and a spunky personality that our birth moms all can bond with and relate to. As an adoptive parent herself, adoption holds a very special place in her heart and she can relate on every level with both birth parents and adoptive parents. In her free time Christy loves spending time with her daughter, gardening, baking and taking vacations with her family. Christy is an excellent leader for our team at Adoption Choices and is truly one of a kind!! As Executive Director, Christy spends time with the staff, birth parents and adoptive families in order to ensure that the agency is running smoothly. She has placed a huge emphasis on community outreach and programs for birth parents. Christy loves the opportunity to lead the agency into a brighter future.
Ms. Mackenzie has built a successful counseling career over the past 20 years, supporting mothers and families, people of all ages and genders, students, community professionals and fellow clinicians. Liv values a diverse professional focus, including the entrepreneurial life of a sole proprietor, the evaluative process of certifying foster/adoptive homes, the insightful and mindful one-on-one one work with enthusiastic clients, and serving as an advocate for underserved populations. Liv is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a BA in Pre-Law and Economics from American University, an MA in Counseling from Adams University and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Away from work you will find Liv spending time in nature, biking to the farmer’s market and adventuring with her family.
Catherine A. Madsen, joined the Adoption Choices family as legal counsel in 2013. Catherine is responsible for providing legal guidance to the Agency, training and updating staff on developments in adoption law and legislation, and program development. Catherine
Virginia Frank is an adoption attorney accredited since 1991 with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. Ms. Frank is a leader in the field of private adoption and has completed over 4,000 adoptions in her career. Ms. Frank has a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a BA in both Political Science and Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
Cassidie has been with Adoption Choices since 2015, she has her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Affairs with concentrations in both Sociology and Business Management. Cassidie has additional training in Victim Advocacy, foster care and has been working in women’s services for over 10 years. Cassidie has always had a heart for adoption and it was her career dream to work in adoption. She started off doing volunteer work for advocacy programs, adoption organizations and worked in High Risk Maternal Fetal Medicine through the University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Cassidie is also blessed to have personally experienced an adoption of her own in 2012, completing her family of five! Cassidie loves what she does as a case worker from initial phone calls, meetings, doctor appointments, interaction with the adoptive families to delivery and counseling. Cassidie has a passion for those in need and strives to help make a difference in the lives of the people she meets. She is a firm believer in being kind, compassionate and open minded in all situations. “Unless you’ve walked in their shoes, there’s no place for judgment. A kind word or compliment can go a long way!” The bittersweet moments in adoption reminds Cassidie each and every time, why she loves what she does!