Open Adoption with Lesbian Adoptive Parents in Colorado
When it comes to choosing what level of openness you want with your child’s adoptive parents, there are three different types to choose from: open, semi-open and closed. It’s important to understand what all these entail and what they can offer you and your child as you move forward in your adoption journey. If you aren’t sure, don’t worry! Your adoption caseworker will be more than happy to guide you through the options and help you determine which is the best fit.
Does open adoption with lesbian adoptive parents look any different than if you were to choose a single, transracial or heterosexual adoptive parent? No. Your child may gain different things and opportunities from each kind of adoptive family, but the agreement itself looks the same.
To LGBTQ Adoptive Parents
Adoption Choices of Colorado has a staff that is committed to providing equal opportunities for all prospective adoptive parents who walk through our doors. We have a strong policy against discrimination — regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation — and always treat our adoptive parents with the utmost respect. Our agency celebrates all families looking to adopt through the miracle of adoption and will be more than happy to help you in any way we can. Adoption is a difficult journey, but we want to make yours as positive and empowering as possible.
To Birth Mothers
It is a sad reality that the LGBTQ community is not supported by everyone. Many LGBTQ couples and indivudals look to adopt, as it is one of the only ways they can have children. As a birth mother placing her child for adoption, you are giving a hopeful LGBTQ couple or individual the opportunity to have a family and fulfilling their dreams of becoming a parent.
Beginning the Adoption Process
As a birth mother, you have the right to decide who is going to parent your child. Once you have worked out what you want your adoption journey to look like and outlined your expectations, your adoption caseworker will provide adoptive parent profiles for you to look through. In these, you will find information about each prospective adoptive parent’s homelife, education and work. This makes it easier for you to get a feel for their personality and decide what environment you want your child to grow up in.
We understand how difficult the process of letting go can be for birth mothers. That is why we offer free counseling services at any and every stage of the adoption process. Feel free to ask any questions you may have at any point, and address all your concerns. We are here to walk with you and support you every step of the way. There is also legal representation available, should your situation require it.
Advocating for Open Adoptions
Adoption Choices of Colorado advocates fully for open adoptions. You, as a birth mother, will have the opportunity to maintain contact with your child as he or she grows up in their adoptive family. When you enter into an open adoption with lesbian adoptive parents, you can be there to offer advice and answer any questions that the adoptee may have in the future. In addition, you can get to know your child’s adoptive parents and build a positive, healthy relationship with them. This will guarantee peace and harmony between you and your adoptee. This will also allow you to further your own life, knowing that your child is safe, loved, and growing into a wonderful human being.
Supporting and Understanding
LGBTQ adoptions increased substantially after 2015, when marriage equality laws were passed. Hopefully, in the future, LGBTQ adoptive parents will become more supported and accepted in our society, as there are so many loving same-sex couples and individuals who cherish your child with their whole hearts.
There are many fears people have about children who are raised by same-sex parents. These could include being subjected to “bullying” or an irrational fear that your child will “turn gay.” Yet, studies have shown that sexual orientation has no impact on one’s ability to parent and raise a child.
As a birth mother, you are doing what is right by giving your child the best chance at life possible. They will have the opportunity to grow up in a stable home, and to be in an environment where they can thrive and become the greatest version of themselves.
We understand that the decision to place your child for adoption can be heart-wrenchingly difficult. However, the journey between you, the adoptee, and the adoptive parent doesn’t have to end after placement. You can establish a beautiful friendship and remain a part of the adoptive family’s journey together, while advancing and elevating your own life.
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.
Meet the Author: Katherine Burns is a journalism student at Loyola University Maryland with plans to pursue a career in the news and magazine industries. With over three years of experience writing for the Greyhound Newspaper at Loyola, Katherine specializes in Op-eds. However, she has recently branched out to cover a variety of topics, including education and sports journalism. She also has ample experience with travel blogging.
Katherine has conducted a variety of interviews in her time at Loyola and has displayed her stories through differing forms of media. In addition to her studies at Loyola, Katherine spent the fall of 2019 studying communications at the American University of Paris.To learn more about Katherine, be sure to check her out on social media.
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!