The Laws of Gay Adoption

Recently, an author of a recent book on marriage stated that gays and lesbians can not make good parents because “gay couples are notoriously unstable.” You’d think that when people make statement about gay adoption on TV in front of millions of people they’d offer some facts to back up their argument. Or you would at least hope the TV hosts would ask for some facts.  No such luck.

As such, there will always be confusion about the issue of gay adoption in the United States when such misinformation is presented. However, regardless of a stance an individual takes on the subject of gay adoption, gay adoption remains perfectly legal in forty-nine of fifty states. So, what an individual's opinions on the subject are matter little. What matters is the legal rights relating to gay adoption and whether individuals wishing to pursue options of gay adoption understand their rights and the letter of the law.

While only the state of Florida outright outlaws gay adoption, only nine states allow for joint couple gay adoption. In the remaining forty states, gay individuals can adopt, but not gay couples. (Although the other partner may apply for the legal status of ‘second parent.’) Unfortunately, while adoption may be legal, certain states may attempt to skirt the law by making the process of adopting next to impossible.

In such instances, questions regarding how to successfully achieve a favorable outcome of a petition for gay adoption will require consultation with an individual or action group who is knowledgeable in the area of gay adoption. It is crucial that those looking to pursue an uphill battle against the forces at work in a hostile environment proceed with full knowledge of the law and their rights or the outcome runs a very high risk of being unfavorable. Always arm oneself with knowledge.