| | The Statistics on Gay and Lesbian Adoptions
Families come in all shapes and sizes, and can grow in many different ways. Today, more and more gay and lesbian individuals are parenting children, many through adoption. While exact numbers of gay and lesbian families are not known, some rough estimates are available and may shed some light on this growing trend. Unfortunately, many adoption advocates overlook the possibilities inherent in the two million gay and lesbian individuals and couples interested in adopting.
Today, an estimated 65,000 adopted children are living with a gay or lesbian parent. Some 16,000 of those children reside in California, which has the highest rate of gay and lesbian adoptions. Approximately 14,000 foster children are living with a gay or lesbian foster parent. It is estimated that approximately 250,000 children in America are being raised by a gay or lesbian parent. Those estimates may be less accurate when the numbers of single parents are factored into the equation, since they may be heterosexual, gay or lesbian. Second parent adoptions, particularly common in lesbian couples, are also harder to approximate. Gay and lesbian single parents represent approximately one in six adoptive single parents. Data from the 2000 census is the most reliable source of information and statistics on gay and lesbian parents; however, while this data can measure couples defined by same sex unmarried partner status, there is no way to measure second parent adoptions, gay and lesbian single parents, or other statistical issues from the data available.
Discriminatory laws and policies have made it more challenging for many gay and lesbian individuals to adopt a child. Even in states where adoption policies are less discriminatory, individual adoption agencies, social workers and state employees may be impacted by their personal feelings regarding the placement of children in gay and lesbian homes. While some states specifically state that sexual orientation cannot be used as a criterion to prevent adoption, others do not allow adoption by unmarried couples or same gender couples. In these states, a single gay or lesbian individual may be able to adopt, even if the couple cannot. Florida specifically disallows homosexuals from adopting, while recent court decisions in Missouri and Arkansas have struck down laws preventing gays and lesbians from fostering children or adopting.
A number of child advocacy groups and professional organizations have voiced their support for parental rights, adoption rights, and the ability to foster parent for gays and lesbians. Among these are the American Academy of Pediatrics (2002), the National Association of Social Workers (2002), the American Bar Organization (1999 and 2003) and the American Medical Association (2004).
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