The Benefits of LGBT Adoption
(AKA same sex adoption or gay adoption)
Ever since the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in June of 2015, there has been an influx of LGBT couples getting married and starting families. The number of adoption by LGBT couples has increased tenfold in the past five years. According to statistics same sex couples are seven times more likely than heterosexual couples to be raising an adopted child. That said, birth mothers could consider an LGBT family when choosing a family to adopt her child. Below are some benefits of choosing same sex adoption.
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and need help now, contact Adoption Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Call us: 720-371-1099, Call or Text us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). If you are hoping to adopt, please contact us here.
Providing A Home
Even though same sex couples and individuals are not able to conceive naturally, this doesn’t make them any less deserving of the triumphs and challenges that come with being a parent. This is one of the many benefits of LGBT adoption, and the most common way for same sex couples and individuals to start families.They are just as capable and loving as any adoptive family, despite the controversy that claims otherwise.
Working With Adoption Choices
Unfortunately, not all adoption facilities in the United States support adoption via same sex couples. Some facilities reserve the right to turn prospective adopters away on the basis of sexual orientation. When looking to adopt, it is important to research the facility you are adopting from, to make sure that it is a supportive environment. Another one of the benefits of LGBT adoption is that, with Adoption Choices of Colorado, you can be assured that we are allies.
Adoption Choices of Colorado works to ensure that LGBT adoption is available to all of the birth mothers, should they decide that’s what they’re open to pursuing. Like any other adoptive parent, LGBT couples and individuals are required to write an adoption profile, complete a home study and then become matched with potential birth mothers.
Intent to Parent
With there not being complete acceptance towards members of the LGBT community, it’s understandable to worry about roadblocks when looking to adopt. However, as a birth mother, considering a same sex couple as prospective parents is highly beneficial. There is a higher frequency of adoption inquiries by same sex couples, and you can guarantee commitment and love for your child.
Becoming a parent is a specific choice, that is made with integrity and intent. For many heterosexual couples, becoming a parent is a surprise or something that happens naturally. Because same sex couples are so willing and abled to take on the mantle of parenthood, you can anticipate high levels of investment and involvement.
Acceptance by Example
Another benefit of LGBT adoption is that your child is more likely to grow up as a tolerant and open-minded individual. A study done by Abbie Goldberg of Clark University in 2007 confirms this idea. Goldberg interviewed 46 adult children who’d grown up with LGBT parents.
One of Goldberg’s subjects said acceptance was one of the most significant lessons of her childhood.
“It gives me an understanding that people just come from so many different walks of life and that respect and an open mind and encountering the world with love and flexibility is definitely how I live my life.”
Many of them also feel less pressure to portray traditional gender stereotypes. They take comfort and pride in being themselves because they’ve had such a great example, and that is something that any birth mother should want for her children.
Happy and Healthy Homes
Statistically, there is little to no difference in achievements, mental health and social skills for developing children. LGBT couples and heterosexual couples are equally capable of building amazing families, so, as a birth mother, that is something you should consider.
Another fear is that being adopted by a same sex couple will result in a child identifying as something other than straight. This is fiction. Being raised in an LGBT home does not make your child gay, just as being raised in a heterosexual home does not make your child straight. As a birth mother who is considering adoption, there is no need to worry that your child would be pressured into identifying a certain way. That is an added benefit of LGBT adoption.
The Right Support
By placing your child with a LGBT family, you are giving your child’s adoptive family a new possibility as well. LGBT couples and individuals make excellent parents, and have the maternal and paternal instincts that a child really needs.
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, Call us: 720-371-1099, Call or Text 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!