Gay adoption
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Gay adoption refers to the adoption of children by a homosexual couple. Gay adoption is legal in Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, Netherlands and (as of September 2005) the United Kingdom. Germany allows since 2004 the "step-child-adoption" so that the partner in a civil union can adopt the natural child of his partner.
Within the U.S. Florida is the only state that completely prohibits gay adoption. Mississippi, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Colorado and Utah all make same-sex adoption virtually impossible. Critics of anti-gay adoption policies also point out that in many of the states that have bans on gay adoption, gays are still able to act as foster parents.
Numerous studies conducted by the American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics and other groups have found there to be little if any difference between the effects of parenting conducted by same-sex couples and that of heterosexual couples. Several organizations have issued statements of support for the rights of same-sex couples to adopt, though there is still widespread resistance.
One prominent figure in the gay adoption debate is actress and comedian Rosie O'Donnell, who is an adoptive parent in a same-sex relationship. O'Donnell is remembered for her efforts in challenging Florida's gay adoption ban.
External links
- Scientific community resources
- AAP News Release - AAP Says Children of Same-sex Couples Deserve Two Legally Recognized Parents (http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/febsamesex.htm)
- New Position Statement Adopted by the American Psychiatric Association (APA): Adoption and Co-Parenting of Children by Same-Sex Couples (PDF) (http://www.psych.org/news_room/press_releases/adoption_coparenting121802.pdf)
- American Psychological Association (APA) Public Interest Directorate: Research Summary on Lesbian and Gay Parenting (http://www.apa.org/pi/parent.html)
- Let Him Stay (http://www.lethimstay.com/) - A site that describes a recent effort by same-sex parents to overturn Florida's ban on gay adoption.
- Gay.com - Adoption and Parenting (http://www.gay.com/news/roundups/package.html?sernum=362&navpath=/channels/families/parenting) - News and Current Events pertaining to the rights and responsilibities of same-sex parents in adopting and parenting.
- GayDads.Info (http://www.gaydads.info) - Information and a book relating to the subject of fatherhood and gay men.
- Families Like Ours (http://www.familieslikeours.org/) - Adoption resource center with a focus on same-sex parenting.
- PBS Documentary "DADDY & PAPA" (http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/daddyandpapa/parenting.html) - Story that focuses on the lives of same-sex parents in the United States.
- The Gay Parenting Page (http://www.gayparentingpage.com/) - Website dedicated to providing links and resources relating to same-sex parenting.