The Success of LGBTQ Adoption 

Adoption is a wonderful way for children to grow up in loving homes. For some couples and individuals, adoption is the solution when they have an inability to conceive a child on their own. For instance, with heterosexual couples, this is a possibility;  with LGBTQ couples and individuals, this is a certainty. Many members of the LGBTQ community will choose not to have children, but many more will turn to adoption in order to start a family. 

Potential Difficulties

According to a study conducted by the Williams Institute at UCLA, same sex couples are 4.5 times more likely than heterosexual couples to be raising adopted children. Since gay marriage was declared legal in the United States in 2015, the number of same sex couples adopting has skyrocketed. Aside from artificial insemination, adoption is one of the only ways that they can start a family. However, not everybody feels that this is a right LGBTQ people deserve to have. Some LGBTQ adoptions are able to be blocked, depending on the state. Some agencies refute LGBTQ couples and they are protected in doing so because they will not comprise their own religious beliefs.

It is an unfortunate fact that adoption by LGBTQ couples is not a universally accepted concept. However, the capacity for success with same sex couples adopting is a far louder than any bigotry and hatred that might be present. 

Our Promise to LGBT Adoptive Parents 

Adoption Choices of Colorado does not discriminate and celebrates all the LGBT adoptive parents who walk through our doors. We adhere closely with Colorado law, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender, race or religion. We are not politically or religiously affiliated in any way, and will turn you away if you believe something different than we do. Our goal, rather, is to provide a positive and empowering adoption experience to every birth and adoptive parent who we meet.

You will be protected and welcomed no matter what. Our staff is committed to helping you grow your family. Adoption is a complex journey, even without the political side of things. However, we will support you every step of the way and ensure that you are treated with the utmost respect.

Necessary First Steps

Much like a heterosexual couple, any LGBTQ community member will need to follow Adoption Choices of Colorado‘s indicated steps in order to proceed. The first step involves completing the application with us.  This will eventually lead to a home study, matching services, placement and post-placement services. It is essential that the information provided on your initial application be factual. This will facilitate relationships between you and our agency easily, and match you with birth parents who have shared goals. 

Changing Lives

For many LGBTQ couples, the ability to adopt is life-changing. There are reservations, but the payoff is incredible. Richard and Carlos Seigler-Carter, residents of Brooklyn, New York, shared their success of LGBTQ adoption with Gays With Kids

“We’ve always known we’ve wanted to be parents; but, to be honest, we were nervous about how folks would receive two black (Jamaican) men raising a baby – an image that is not often as accessible as it should be! However, that challenge isn’t insurmountable in our view, and we are confident that we will help to champion the beauty of the modern family.”

The Seigler-Carter’s willingness to share their story is a beautiful reminder that there is value in the modern family, and there is value in people seeing all the different ways that a family can look. 

The Success of LGBTQ Adoption

When asked if they had any advice for prospective LGBTQ adopters, the Seigler-Carter family had this to say: 

“Our advice for other couples would be to research, communicate, and be realistic with your expectations. The journey is never easy and there are often a number of unexpected obstacles that arise at the most random times.” 

Luckily, Adoption Choices of Colorado is more than willing to aid with research, to be an effective communicator and share realistic (but hopeful) expectations with prospective birth and adoptive parents. Colorado birth and adoptive parents should not feel limited or without resources. We are here to help! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns regarding LGBTQ adoption. 

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 ParisTo learn more about Katherine, be sure to check her out on social media.

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