Pros and Cons of LGBTQ+ Adoptions in Colorado
By Charley Lustig
Love is in the air! Inclusion and diversity are finally catching fire within society, and differences are being celebrated. The LGBTQ+ community is finally being recognized and represented by the general public. According to Colorado legislation, LGBTQ+ adoptive parents are protected by a number of nondiscrimination laws. At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we have a strict no-discrimination policy. Therefore, we welcome everyone regardless of their gender, race, sexuality, and religion. Our mission is to provide the proper care for all participants in the adoption process.
We cover more than how to give your baby up for adoption. Our adoption agency wants to inform you of all possible adoption options to ensure the best fit for you. Here, we will discuss one of the very possible adoption options for birth mothers- choosing an LGBTQ+ Adoption.
If you need adoption help now, please call or text us at 303-670-4673 (HOPE) or visit us at Adoption Choices of Colorado.
What Does an LGBTQ+ Adoption Mean for Birth Mothers?
At Adoption Choices of Colorado, we have a variety of families waiting to become adoptive parents, including those of the LGBTQ+. Our private adoption agency enforces a number of vigorous background checks for every adoptive parent or couple. The safety and welfare of you and your child are a top priority in this process.
What makes our adoption agencies in Colorado so successful is our focus on the birth mother. As the birth mother, you are rightfully given the opportunity to choose your child’s adoptive family. With your adoption plan, you will be able to meet with adoptive families and discuss important matters like open adoption.
As mentioned before, some couples or parents are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. If you discover shared standards and expectations with an LGBTQ+ family, you can choose them to be your adoptive family. An LGBTQ+ Adoption simply refers to this community’s involvement in your adoption plan.
Pros of LGBTQ+ Adoptions
When placing your baby for adoption, you want to be sure that you are doing well with your decision. Here are some general benefits of placing your child under the care of an LGBTQ+ person or couple:
Building Families with LGBTQ+ Adoptions
One of the most amazing aspects of adoption is the creation of a family. There are many reasons members of the LGBTQ+ may look towards adoption. But in all cases, these are people who are not only wanting to begin their parenting journey but are ready. In choosing an LGBTQ+ Adoption, you can be assured that your child will be loved and cared for.
Open Minded
Unfortunately, some LGBTQ+ members face unnecessary judgment for their identities. Therefore they understand the importance of being tolerant and accepting others. Your child will be shown this set of values in an effort to combat the negativity of the world. They will be shown not to turn away from differences but to face them with a sense of curiosity. All in all, your child may be more open-minded due to having an LGBTQ+ adoptive family.
Beauty of Individuality
Societal norms have the habit of pressuring people from developing into the fullest versions of themselves- especially LGBTQ+ members. Due to this experience, LGBTQ+ adoptive families know the importance of individuality. This will then translate into a safe environment for your child to grow into the fullest version of themselves. They will not only know but value individuality and see it through a beautiful lens.
Cons of LGBTQ+ Adoptions
In every decision, it is important to determine possible negatives. These are by no means fixed outcomes when choosing an LGBTQ+ Adoption. Please remember there are always ways to prevent and/or reduce these outcomes.
Possible Prejudice
Although the world is evolving to be more inclusive, there are still those who are not respectful of the LGBTQ+ community. This may result in your child being more prone to bullying or discrimination. Keep in mind everyone goes through similar challenges, and most often, they come out stronger with thicker skin.
False Impressions
Sadly, many people are quick to make assumptions about those they know little about. Your child may find themselves being stereotyped more due to their LGBTQ+ adoptive family. But with the right support, your child will not care about false assumptions. They will be unfazed and unimpacted by those false impressions.
Adoption Choices of Colorado Supports Birth Mothers
We understand the responsibilities and pressures of a birth mother facing an unplanned pregnancy. Our agency wants to help provide you with the care and guidance you need in making those choices about adoption. If you choose an LGBTQ+ Adoption or not, Adoption Choices of Colorado wants you to make the best decision. By providing you with a general understanding of LGBTQ+ Adoptions, we hope we have made your adoption journey clearer.
For more information on how to give your baby up for adoption or adoption in Colorado Springs, contact us today!
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.
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!