Gay Adoption Resources
Under the best of circumstances, adopting a child can take months or even years and cost thousands of dollars. A gay or lesbian couple can encounter even more difficulties since not all states recognize gay marriages, and some states don't allow gay adoptions. However, you can find support in the form of resources, adoption agencies and lawyers to assist same-sex couples.
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State Laws
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The laws regarding gay adoption vary from state to state. Some states, such as California and Arizona, explicitly state that gays and lesbians can adopt, while others like Nebraska and Utah forbid the practice. While some state laws allow any adult to petition to adopt a child, they laws say nothing about a person's identity as gay, straight or lesbian. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the Human Rights Campaign have compiled a map and a list of the laws that govern each state (see References).
Adoption Lawyers
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Whether you are adopting a child internationally, domestically or using a surrogate, a lot of paperwork is involved. If you live in a state in which the law is ambiguous about gay and lesbian adoptions, the lack of clarity may complicate the matter further. Regardless of your location or the source of your prospective adopted child, you need a lawyer to see you through the process. Consider attorneys who specialize in adoption law such as Lamda Legal, Adam and Romer and Murdoch Hughes and Twarog (see Resources). Lambda Legal has five offices throughout the United States and has been representing gay and lesbian rights on a nationwide basis since the 1970s. Adam and Romer has two offices in California, and the firm has practiced family law for more than 50 years. They have facilitated more than 5,000 adoptions. Murdoch Hughes and Twarog are located in Burlington, Vermont, and they specialize in services for adoptive families and pregnant women.
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Adoption Agencies
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Adoption agencies match the child or pregnant mother to the prospective parents. They offer guidance throughout the adoption process, answer any questions and help set you up with financial assistance to pay for the costs associated with adoption, if necessary. Some agencies specialize in domestic or international adoptions, while others will do both. You can find a number of agencies throughout the United States that are gay- and lesbian-friendly, and they can help assist you in starting the process. A few agencies that you can consider using are the Independent Adoption Center, the Adoption Connection and Adoptions from the Heart (see Resources). All of these are licensed non-profit agencies that work to place children throughout the United States.
Online Resources
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Navigating the adoption process can be confusing and intimidating. Add in the complications of a same-sex couple wishing to adopt, and the process can seem overwhelming. Creating A Family, Adoption and Adoption Open are three websites that will help you sort through the maze of the adoption process. In addition to providing links to gay-friendly adoption agencies, lawyers and consultants, they also have articles about being a gay parent and forums where you can ask other gay parents questions about what they went through.
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References
Resources
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