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| Help for Pregnant Women and Birth Mothers | |
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Gay and Lesbian AdoptionsWhile at one time a child adoption by an openly gay or lesbian was nearly impossible, now adoption is available to gay or lesbian individuals and couples although the process can be more difficult than for a heterosexual couple or individual. |
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Gay and Lesbian Adoptions |
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Until a decade or so ago it was extremely difficult for a single man or an acknowledged gay or lesbian to adopt a child. They might adopt a child but they often had to hide their sexual orientation. The outlook of society and the laws have changed to the point where in most states a single person or an openly gay man or woman can now adopt. There are still a few states (like Florida and Virginia) and several countries (like Russia and China) where it is not legal for a gay or lesbian to adopt. While the acceptance of a gay or lesbian life style has grown to be more positive in Western societies and the number of gay or lesbian individual is estimated to be approximately 10% of the population of the U.S., in the U.S. some child adoption agencies will still not approve or work with a gay or lesbian person or couple. A gay and lesbian person should carefully check out the agency they are considering working with, and the country they are thinking of adoption from, regarding their policies. You should contact an adoption agency, an adoption attorney, or check the adoption laws of your state to see if they exclude a gay or lesbian individual or couple from a child adoption. For additional background information on gay and lesbian adoption, please read the Child Welfare Information Gateway article Gay and Lesbian Adoptive Parents and feel free to contact us at Adoption Services. |
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Some Sources of Support and Information |
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American Civil Liberties Union - Lesbian and Gay Rights Project Child Welfare League of America Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere - COLAGE Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation - GLAAD Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network - GLSEN Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund Love Makes a Family National Center for Lesbian Rights Partners Task Force for Gay and Lesbian Couples Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) |
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Additional Help and Resources |
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Adoption Services does not discriminate based on race, sexual orientation, age, cultural background, marital status, or for any other reason. Please feel free to contact us and please visit our home page to read about our commitment to assist adoptive parents like you as well as pregnant women and birth parents. [ Return to Special Adoptions ] |
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