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*[[Same-sex marriage]]s and [[civil union]]s
*[[Same-sex marriage]]s and [[civil union]]s
*[[LGBT rights]]
*[[LGBT rights]]
*[[Chickenhawk]]


==Further reading==
==Further reading==

Revision as of 17:29, 9 July 2010

LGBT adoption is the adoption of children by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Adoption by same-sex couples is currently legal in very few countries throughout the world.

Adoption of children by LGBT people is an issue of active debate; legislation to stop the practice has been introduced in the United States although such efforts have largely been defeated. There is agreement between the parties, however, that the welfare of children alone should dictate policy.[1]

Adoption by same-sex couples is currently legal in the following countries:

Adoption by same-sex couples is currently legal in the following jurisdictions:

In the following countries, "stepchild-adoption" is permitted, so that the partner in a registered partnership (or unregistered cohabitation in Israel) can adopt the natural (or sometimes even adopted) child of his or her partner:

In the following jurisdictions, "stepchild-adoption" is permitted, so that the partner in a civil union can adopt the natural (or sometimes even adopted) child of his or her partner:

Europe

Legal status of adoption by same-sex couples in Europe
  Gay adoption legal
  Stepchild adoption legal
  Gay adoption illegal
  Unknown/Ambiguous, except in Andorra, where gay adoption is legal

In February 2006, France's Court of Cassation ruled that both partners in a same-sex relationship can have parental rights over one partner's biological child. The result came from a case where a woman tried to give parental rights of her two daughters to her partner whom she was in a civil union with.[24] In the case of adoption, however, in February 2007, the same court ruled against a lesbian couple where one partner tried to adopt the child of the other partner. The court stated that the woman's partner cannot be recognized unless the mother withdrew her own parental rights.[25][26]

In 1998, a nursery school teacher from Lons-le-Saunier, living as a couple with another woman, had applied for an authorization to adopt a child from the département (local government) of Jura. The adoption board recommended against the authorization because the child would lack a paternal reference, and thus the president of the département ruled against the authorization.[27] The case was appealed before the administrative courts and ended before the Council of State, acting as supreme administrative court, which ruled against the woman.[28] The European Court of Human Rights concluded that these actions and this ruling were a violation of Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights taken in conjunction with Article 8.[27][29]

On June 2, 2006, the Icelandic Parliament voted for a proposal accepting adoption, parenting and assisted insemination treatment for same-sex couples on the same basis as heterosexual couples. No member of the parliament voted against the proposal. The law went into effect on June 27, 2006.

Middle East

Legal status of adoption by same-sex couples in the middle east
  Step-child adoption
  Gay adoption illegal
  Homosexuality illegal
  Unknown/Ambiguous

A January 2005 ruling of the Israeli Supreme Court allowed stepchild adoptions for same-sex couples. Israel previously allowed limited co-guardianship rights for non-biological parents.[30] Then in February 2008, a court in Israel ruled that same-sex couples are now permitted to adopt a child even if that child is not biologically related to either parent.[31] This marked a watershed in granting equal rights to all gay people in Israel.[31] Isrealli, the official blog of the State of Israel, frequently publishes updates on gay adoption news in Israel. The site also has a complete timeline of gay rights milestones in Israel.

North America

Legal status of adoption by same-sex couples in North America
  Gay adoption legal
  Step-child adoption
  Gay adoption illegal
  Unknown/Ambiguous
File:Gay Adoption South America.png
Legal status of adoption by same-sex couples in Latin America
  Gay adoption legal
  Step-child adoption
  Gay adoption illegal
  Homosexuality illegal
  Unknown/Ambiguous

In the U.S., states may restrict adoption by sexual orientation or marital status. However, a federal judge ruled in Adar v. Smith that states must recognize out-of-state adoptions that, if performed in-state would be illegal per the Full Faith and Credit Clause.[32] In the U.S., there are 270,000 children living with same-sex couples. Of these, one-quarter, or 65,000, have been adopted.[33]

Utah and Florida are among the states that historically imposed more stringent restrictions of LGBT adoption. Utah prohibits adoption by "a person who is cohabiting in a relationship that is not a legally valid and binding marriage,"[34] making it legal for single people to adopt, regardless of sexual orientation, so long as they are not co-habitating in non-marital relationships.

In Florida, however, the statute forbidding adoptions by gays was struck down by Judge Cindy Lederman in November 2008. In her opinion, Lederman said the law violated equal protection rights for the children and their prospective gay parents; adding that there was no rational basis to prohibit gay parents from adopting, particularly since the state allowed them to act as foster parents.[35] The state is appealing Judge Lederman's decision. The case, In re: Gill, is pending before the Third District Court of Appeals, which heard oral argument on August 26, 2009.[36] During the appeal process, Florida state adoption application forms continue to require prospective adoptive parents to assert that they are neither homosexual nor bisexual.

On November 4, 2008, Arkansas voters approved Act 1, a measure to ban anyone "co-habitating outside of a valid marriage" from being foster parents or adopting children. Although the law could apply to heterosexual couples, it is believed to have been written to target gay couples due to the fact that same-sex marriage is prohibited in that state, thereby making an adoption impossible.[37] Single gay men and lesbians are still allowed to adopt in Arkansas. The law was overturned on April 16, 2010 by state judge Chris Piazza.[38]

As adoptions are mostly handled by local courts in the United States, some judges and clerks accept or deny petitions to adopt on criteria that vary from other judges and clerks in the same state.[39]

In Canada, adoption is within provincial/territorial jurisdiction, and thus the law differs from one province or territory to another. Adoption by same-sex couples is legal in Ontario,[18] British Columbia,[18] Saskatchewan,[19] Nova Scotia,[18] Manitoba,[18] Newfoundland and Labrador,[18] the Northwest Territories,[18] Quebec,[18] and New Brunswick.[18] In Alberta, private adoptions and stepchild adoption were allowed in 1999. January 2006 was the first time a child in care of the Alberta government was placed for adoption with a same-sex couple, Lance Anderson and Blair Croft of Edmonton. In the Yukon, the law regarding adoption is ambiguous. NDP MP Libby Davies, has campaigned for national uniformity when it comes to same-sex adoption.[citation needed]

In Mexico City, the Legislative Assembly of the Federal District passed legislation on 21 December 2009 enabling same-sex couples to adopt children.[40] Eight days later, Head of Government ("Mayor") Marcelo Ebrard signed the bill into law, which officially took effect on 4 March 2010.[20][41]

South America

In Brazil, same-sex couples can jointly adopt. In Uruguay, same-sex couples can jointly adopt. A government-sponspored adoption law allowing LGBT adoption was approved by the lower house on 28 August 2009, and by the Senate on 9 September 2009. In October 2009, the law was signed by President and took effect.[42] According to Equipos Mori Poll's, 53% of Uruguayans oppose to same sex adoption against 39% that support it. Interconsult's Poll made in 2008 says that 49% oppose to same sex adoption against 35% that support it.[15][43]

Oceania

In Australia, same-sex adoption is legal in the Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia,[44] while only biolological adoption (regardless of type of couple) is possible in Tasmania.[citation needed] The lesbian co-mother or gay co-father(s) can apply to the Family Court of Australia for a parenting order, as 'other people significant to the care, welfare and development' of the child. But the lesbian co-mother and gay co-father(s) will be treated in the same way as a social parent is treated under the law; they will not be treated in the same way as a birth parent.[45] In May 2007, the Victorian Law Reform Commission in Victoria released its final report recommending that the laws be modified to allow more people to use assisted reproductive technologies and to allow same-sex couples to adopt and be recognized as parents to their partner's children.[46]

In New Zealand, preliminary New Zealand Law Commission reports and white papers have raised the issue already, while Metiria Turei, a Green Party of New Zealand List MP raised the issue in late May 2006.[citation needed] In February 2005, the Greens had suggested that an adoption law reform clause should be added to the Relationships (Statutory References) Act 2005, which equalized heterosexual, lesbian and gay spousal status in New Zealand law and regulatory policy, apart from the Adoption Act 1955.[citation needed] While the measure was unsuccessful, it remains to be seen whether a reintroduced adoption law reform bill on its own would fare differently.[47]

Debate over LGBT adoption

Adoption of children by LGBT people is an issue of active debate. In the United States, for example, legislation to stop the practice has been introduced in many jurisdictions; such efforts have largely been defeated, with the exception of Arkansas Act 1. There is agreement between the debating parties, however, that the welfare of children alone should dictate policy.[1] Supporters of LGBT adoption suggest that many children are in need of homes and claim that since parenting ability is unrelated to sexual orientation, the law should allow them to adopt children.[1] Opponents, on the other hand, suggest that the alleged greater prevalence of depression, drug use, promiscuity and suicide among homosexuals (and alleged greater prevalence of domestic violence) might affect children [48] or that the absence of male and female role models could cause maladjustment.[49]

The existing body of research fails to consider the specific case of adoption: it tends to look more generally at the issue of LGBT parenting rather than adoption and, where adoption is noted, it does not distinguish between adopted children who are parented by unrelated gay persons and those who retain their original family relationships in step-parent households.[1][50] Nevertheless, the research on the more general case of LGBT parenting has been used to counter the claims of LGBT-adoption opponents. Assertions that heterosexual couples are inherently better parents than same-sex couples, or that the children of lesbian or gay parents fare worse than children raised by heterosexual parents find no support in the scientific research literature.[51][52] There is ample evidence to show that children raised by same-gender parents fare as well as those raised by heterosexual parents. More than 25 years of research have documented that there is no relationship between parents' sexual orientation and any measure of a child's emotional, psychosocial, and behavioral adjustment. These data have demonstrated no risk to children as a result of growing up in a family with 1 or more gay parents.[53] No research supports the widely held conviction that the gender of parents matters for child well-being.[54] It is well-established that both men and women have the capacity to be good parents, and that having parents of both genders does not enhance adjustment. The social science literature overwhelmingly rejects the notion that there is an optimal gender mix of parents or that children and adolescents with same-sex parents suffer any developmental disadvantages compared with those with two opposite-sex parents. Most of the studies appeared in rigorously peer-reviewed and highly selective journals, whose standards represent expert consensus on generally accepted social scientific standards for research on child and adolescent development.[55]

The family studies literature indicates that it is family processes (such as the quality of parenting and relationships within the family) that contribute to determining children’s well-being and ‘outcomes’, rather than family structures, per se, such as the number, gender, sexuality and co-habitation status of parents.[56] If gay, lesbian, or bisexual parents were inherently less capable than otherwise comparable heterosexual parents, their children would evidence problems regardless of the type of sample. This pattern clearly has not been observed. Given the consistent failures in this research literature to disprove the null hypothesis, the burden of empirical proof is on those who argue that the children of sexual minority parents fare worse than the children of heterosexual parents.[57]

Professor Judith Stacey, of New York University, stated: “Rarely is there as much consensus in any area of social science as in the case of gay parenting, which is why the American Academy of Pediatrics and all of the major professional organizations with expertise in child welfare have issued reports and resolutions in support of gay and lesbian parental rights”.[58] These organizations include the American Academy of Pediatrics,[53] the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,[59] the American Psychiatric Association,[60] the American Psychological Association [61], the American Psychoanalytic Association [62], the National Association of Social Workers,[51] the Child Welfare League of America,[63] the North American Council on Adoptable Children,[64] and Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). CPA is concerned that some persons and institutions are mis-interpreting the findings of psychological research to support their positions, when their positions are more accurately based on other systems of belief or values.[65]

Summary of laws by jurisdiction

US States' laws on adoption by same-sex couples[66]
State LGBT individual may petition to adopt Same-sex couple may jointly petition Same-sex partner may petition to adopt partner's child
Alabama Yes No explicit prohibition In some jurisdictions
Alaska Yes No explicit prohibition In some jurisdictions
Arizona Yes No explicit prohibition Unclear
Arkansas Yes No No
California Yes Yes Yes
Colorado Yes Yes Yes
Connecticut Yes Yes Yes
Delaware Yes No explicit prohibition In some jurisdictions
District of Columbia Yes Yes Yes
Florida No (legal challenge pending)[67] No (legal challenge pending)[67] No
Georgia Yes No explicit prohibition Unclear
Hawaii Yes No explicit prohibition In some jurisdictions
Idaho Yes Unclear Unclear
Illinois Yes Yes Yes
Indiana Yes Yes Yes
Iowa Yes Yes Yes
Kansas Yes No explicit prohibition Unclear
Kentucky Yes No explicit prohibition Unclear
Louisiana Yes No explicit prohibition In some jurisdictions
Maine Yes Yes Yes
Maryland Yes No explicit prohibition In some jurisdictions
Massachusetts Yes[68] Yes[68] Yes[68]
Michigan Yes No No explicit prohibition
Minnesota Yes No explicit prohibition In some jurisdictions
Mississippi Yes No[69] Unclear[69]
Missouri Yes No[citation needed] No[citation needed]
Montana Yes No explicit prohibition Unclear
Nebraska Unclear No explicit prohibition No
Nevada Yes Yes Yes
New Hampshire Yes Yes Yes
New Jersey Yes Yes Yes
New Mexico Yes Unclear[70] In some jurisdictions
New York Yes In some jurisdictions[71][72][73] Yes
North Carolina Yes Unclear Unclear
North Dakota Unclear[74] No explicit prohibition[74] Unclear
Ohio Unclear Unclear In some jurisdictions
Oklahoma Yes[75] No explicit prohibition[75] Unclear
Oregon Yes Yes Yes
Pennsylvania Yes Unclear Yes
Rhode Island[76] Yes[76] No explicit prohibition[76] In some jurisdictions[76]
South Carolina Yes Unclear Unclear
South Dakota Yes Unclear Unclear
Tennessee Yes No explicit prohibition Unclear
Texas Yes No explicit prohibition In some jurisdictions
Utah Yes No[77] Unclear
Vermont Yes Yes Yes
Virginia Yes No explicit prohibition Unclear
Washington Yes Yes Yes
West Virginia Yes No explicit prohibition Unclear
Wisconsin Yes Yes Yes
Wyoming Yes Unclear Unclear
European laws on adoption by same-sex couples
Country LGBT individual may petition to adopt Same-sex couple may jointly petition Same-sex partner may petition to adopt partner's child Same-sex couples are allowed to foster or stepchild foster
Belgium Yes Yes Yes Yes
Denmark Yes Yes Yes Yes
Estonia Yes No No Yes
Finland Yes No Yes Yes
France Yes No (adopting your own child is allowed) Yes Yes
Germany Yes No (adopting your own child is allowed) Yes Yes
Iceland Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ireland Yes No Yes Yes
Italy No No No No (but singles can exceptionally foster)
Latvia No No No No?
Lithuania No (only in exceptional circumstances) No No No
Netherlands Yes Yes Yes Yes
Norway Yes Yes Yes Yes
Poland Yes No No No
Portugal Yes No No No (but singles can foster)
Spain Yes Yes Yes Yes
Sweden Yes Yes Yes Yes
United Kingdom Yes Yes Yes Yes
Australian laws on adoption by same-sex couples
Same-sex couple joint petition LGBT individual adoption Same-sex stepparent adoption
ACT Yes Yes Yes
New South Wales No (under review since 2006) Yes No
Northern Territory No Only in exceptional circumstances No
Queensland No Yes No
South Australia No No No
Tasmania No (under review since 2003) Yes Yes
Victoria No (under review since 2007) Yes Yes
Western Australia Yes Yes Yes

Notes:

  • ^Even a de facto opposite sex couple can not jointly adopt a child under the law of the Northern Territory.
  • ^-^No individual or single people are allowed to adopt a child, only a married or de facto opposite sex couples under the law of South Australia.
Latin American laws on adoption by same-sex couples
Same-sex couple joint petition LGBT individual adoption Same-sex stepparent adoption
Uruguay Yes Yes Yes
Argentina Unclear Yes Unclear
Chile No No No
Colombia No Yes No
Paraguay No No No
Surinam No No No
French Guyana No Yes Yes
Guyana No (Homosexuality illegal) No (Homosexuality illegal) No (Homosexuality illegal)
Belize No (Homosexuality illegal) No (Homosexuality illegal) No (Homosexuality illegal)
Brazil Yes Yes Yes
Peru No No No
Cuba No No No
Puerto Rico No Yes No
Bolivia No (constitutional ban) No (constitutional ban) No (constitutional ban)
Ecuador No (constitutional ban) No (constitutional ban) No (constitutional ban)
Honduras No (constitutional ban) No (constitutional ban) No (constitutional ban)
El Salvador No (constitutional ban failed) No (constitutional ban failed) No (constitutional ban failed)
Guatemala No No No
Venezuela No No No
Dominican Republic No (constitutional ban) No (constitutional ban) No (constitutional ban)
Nicaragua No No No
Costa Rica No Yes No
Mexico Yes (only Mexico City) Yes Yes (only Mexico City)

See also

Further reading

  • Lerner, Brenda Wilmoth & K. Lee Lerner (eds) (2006). Gender issues and sexuality : essential primary sources. Thomson Gale. ISBN 1414403259. {{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help) Primary resource collection and readings. Library of Congress. Jefferson or Adams Bldg General or Area Studies Reading Rms
  • Lerner, Brenda Wilmoth & K. Lee Lerner (eds) (2006). Family in society : essential primary sources. Thomson Gale. ISBN 1414403305. {{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help) Primary resource collection and readings. Library of Congress. Jefferson or Adams Bldg General or Area Studies Reading Rms
  • Stacey, J. & Davenport, E. (2002) Queer Families Quack Back, in: D. Richardson & S. Seidman (Eds) Handbook of Lesbian and Gay Studies. London, SAGE Publications), 355-374.
  • New Zealand Law Commission: Adoption- Options for Reform: Wellington: New Zealand Law Commission Preliminary Paper No 38: 1999: ISBN 1-877187-44-5

References

  1. ^ a b c d Charlotte Patterson, et. al, "Adolescents with Same-Sex Parents: Findings from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, November 7, 2007, pg. 2
  2. ^ a b c Daniel Ottosson (November 2006). "LGBT world legal wrap up survey" (PDF). International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA). Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  3. ^ David Morton Rayside. Queer inclusions, continental divisions: public recognition of sexual diversity in Canada and the United States. University of Toronto Press, 2008. p. 388 (p. 20). ISBN 0802086292.
  4. ^ Homosexual couples can adopt children, decides to Supreme Court of Justice
  5. ^ Gays given equal adoption rights
  6. ^ David Morton Rayside. Queer inclusions, continental divisions: public recognition of sexual diversity in Canada and the United States. University of Toronto Press, 2008. p. 388 (p. 21). ISBN 0802086292.
  7. ^ Associated Press (1 April 2001). "Gay Marriage Goes Dutch". CBS News. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  8. ^ Associated Press (17 June 2008). "Norway passes law approving gay marriage". MSNBC. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  9. ^ Windy City Media Group (1 October 2002). "South Africa OKs Gay Adoption". Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  10. ^ BBC News (22 December 2005). "Gay marriage around the globe". Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  11. ^ BBC News (6 June 2002). "Sweden legalises gay adoption". Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  12. ^ UK Gay News (30 December 2005). "New Adoption Law Gives Gay Couples Joint Rights". Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  13. ^ Ellen Thomas (20 September 2009). "New legislation sees gay Scottish couples win right to adopt children". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  14. ^ Kilian Melloy (18 June 2008). "Door to Gay Adoption Opened in Northern Ireland". Edge Boston. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  15. ^ a b Yanina Olivera (9 September 2009). "Uruguay approves Latin America's first gay adoption law". AFP. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  16. ^ Uruguay Bill Permitting Same-sex Couples to Adopt Becomes Law
  17. ^ a b c d Shelly Dahl (4 August 2007). "Stop the proposed same-sex adoption ban". Green Left. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Mary C. Hurley (31 May 2007). "Sexual Orientation and Legal Rights". Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  19. ^ a b Jennifer A. Cooper (31 December 2001). "Opinion on Common-Law Relationships". Government of Manitoba. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  20. ^ a b Associated Press (4 March 2010). "Mexico City's gay marriage law takes effect". MSNBC. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Human Rights Campaign (2008). "Adoption Laws: State by State". Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  22. ^ Robert Crooks, Karla Baur. Our sexuality. 10th Edition. Cengage Learning, 2008. p. 520 (p. 255). ISBN 0495095540.
  23. ^ Ice News (23 May 2009). "Finland extends same-sex adoption rules". Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  24. ^ Ruling of the Court of Cassation, first civil chamber, on recourse 04-17090
  25. ^ 04-15676
  26. ^ 06-15647
  27. ^ a b Ruling in E.B. v. France from the European Court of Human Rights
  28. ^ Council of State (France), ruling 230533
  29. ^ BBC, France chided over gay adoption, 22 January 2008
  30. ^ Gay News From 365Gay.com
  31. ^ a b AG okays wider adoption rights for same-sex couples, By Yuval Yoaz, February 12, 2008.
  32. ^ Cargo, Nick (2008-12-24). "Federal court orders Louisiana to recognize gay parents". PageOneQ. Retrieved 2008-12-24.
  33. ^ Romero, Adam, Census Snapshot, Williams Institute, December 2007
  34. ^ Utah Code Section 78-30-1
  35. ^ Miami judge rules against Fla. gay adoption ban
  36. ^ In re: Gill - Case Profile
  37. ^ Gay-Adoption Ban Passes in Arkansas
  38. ^ State judge overturns Ark. adoption ban law
  39. ^ Human Rights Campaign, Adoption Laws, accessed 2007-09-27
  40. ^ Tracy Wilkinson (22 December 2009). "Mexico City moves to legalize same-sex marriage". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 December 2009.
  41. ^ "Gay marriage closer to reality in Mexico". Los Angeles Times. 29 December 2009. Retrieved 30 December 2009. {{cite web}}: Text "Tracy Wilkinson" ignored (help)
  42. ^ Uruguay Bill Permitting Same-sex Couples to Adopt Becomes Law
  43. ^ "Uruguay votes to allow gay adoptions". Melbourne Herald Sun. 2009-08-28. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
  44. ^ ADOPTION ACT 1994 - SECT 39 Criteria for application
  45. ^ Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
  46. ^ Victorian Law Reform Commission - Current projects - Assisted Reproduction and Adoption - Final Report
  47. ^ http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3675250a6160,00.html
  48. ^ William Satetan,Adopting Premises, Slate, Feb. 7, 2002
  49. ^ Gordon Moyes
  50. ^ Patterson, Charlotte J. (2006). Children of Lesbian and Gay Parents. Current Directions in Psychological Science (Vol. 15, Issue 5, pp 241-244). Blackwell Publishing
  51. ^ a b Case No. S147999 in the Supreme Court of the State of California, In re Marriage Cases Judicial Council Coordination Proceeding No. 4365, Application for leave to file brief amici curiae in support of the parties challenging the marriage exclusion, and brief amici curiae of the American Psychological Association, California Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, National Association of Social Workers, and National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter in support of the parties challenging the marriage exclusion
  52. ^ Canadian Psychological Association: Brief presented to the Legislative House of Commons Committee on Bill C38 By the Canadian Psychological Association June 2, 2005.
  53. ^ a b Pawelski JG, Perrin EC, Foy JM; et al. (2006). "The effects of marriage, civil union, and domestic partnership laws on the health and well-being of children". Pediatrics. 118 (1): 349–64. doi:10.1542/peds.2006-1279. PMID 16818585. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  54. ^ (How) Does the Sexual Orientation of Parent's Matter?
  55. ^ Michael Lamb, Ph.D.: Affidavit - United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (2009)
  56. ^ Elizabeth Short, Damien W. Riggs, Amaryll Perlesz, Rhonda Brown, Graeme Kane: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Parented Families - A Literature Review prepared for The Australian Psychological Society
  57. ^ Herek GM (2006). "Legal recognition of same-sex relationships in the United States: a social science perspective" (PDF). The American Psychologist. 61 (6): 607–21. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.61.6.607. PMID 16953748. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  58. ^ cited in Cooper & Cates, 2006, p. 36; citation available on http://www.psychology.org.au/Assets/Files/LGBT-Families-Lit-Review.pdf
  59. ^ Children with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Parents
  60. ^ Adoption and Co-parenting of Children by Same-sex Couples
  61. ^ Sexual Orientation, Parents, & Children
  62. ^ Position Statement on Gay and Lesbian Parenting
  63. ^ Position Statement on Parenting of Children by Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults
  64. ^ NACAC Position Statements
  65. ^ Marriage of Same-Sex Couples – 2006 Position Statement Canadian Psychological Association
  66. ^ http://www.hrc.org/issues/parenting/adoptions/adoption_laws.asp
  67. ^ a b Almanzar, Yolanne (2008-11-25). "Florida Gay Adoption Ban Is Ruled Unconstitutional". The New York Times.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  68. ^ a b c State regulatory code allows delaying or denying an adoption based on sexual orientation. With same-sex marriage now legal, how this would apply to married same-sex couples is uncertain.
  69. ^ a b Mississippi allows unmarried adults and married couples to petition, amended in 2000 to prohibit "couples of the same gender" from adopting.
  70. ^ Based on the use of gender neutral and "partner" language on their application for adoption, New Mexico may allow same-sex couples to jointly petition.
  71. ^ http://law.onecle.com/new-york/domestic-relations/DOM0110_110.html
  72. ^ http://lambdalegal.org/our-work/states/new-york.html
  73. ^ http://www.hrc.org/issues/parenting/adoptions/8464.htm
  74. ^ a b A 2003 law states: "A child-placing agency is not required to perform, assist, counsel, recommend, facilitate, refer or participate in a placement that violates the agency's written religious or moral convictions or policies." This is expected to allow some agencies to deny placement with LGBT couples and individuals. N.D. CENT. CODE §50-12-03.
  75. ^ a b HRC | Oklahoma Adoption Law
  76. ^ a b c d The Rhode Island Family Court routinely grants same sex couple adoptions and has been doing so for over fifteen years. The couples do not necessarily have to reside in Rhode Island and may be having their own birth child, using a surrogate or adopting a child already placed with them. If you adopt in Rhode Island you will receive a decree listing both partners as parents. If you are able to give birth in Rhode Island, you will also receive a birth certificate including both parents. After the adoption, the Rhode Island Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics will amend a locally born child's birth certificate to name both partners as parents. Greenwood and Fink (Providence, RI) - all legal services for same sex adopting couples and more.
  77. ^ Unmarried, cohabitating couples may not petition to adopt.