Seeking to Adopt in Florida: Lesbian and Gay Parents Navigate the Legal Process

Abstract

Utilizing interview data from 22 lesbian and gay parents in Florida, the current exploratory study examined participants' experiences navigating the legal and social service systems after the repeal of the Florida ban on gay adoption. Participants reported both positive and negative experiences in seeking out lawyers (e.g., some attorneys were accommodating and knowledgeable about gay adoption; others demonstrated discomfort about working with same-sex couples), working with social service agencies in an effort to adopt, and interfacing with the judicial system. This study furthers our knowledge of the lingering effects of discriminatory laws even after such laws have been formally removed, and holds implications for social workers and other practitioners who seek to support lesbian and gay parents and prospective parents as they adjust to the removal of antigay legislation (e.g., regarding marriage or adoption). Based on our findings, we provide recommendations for ensuring that legal and social service practitioners keep up with the rapid pace of legal reform and adapt their practices accordingly.

Perceptions of stigma and self-reported school engagement in same-sex couples with young children.

“…Thus, while perceptions of homophobia in the immediate school community may not have the effect of rousing same-sex parents to proactively engage themselves in their children’s schools, perceptions of homophobia in the community in which they live may prompt parents to consider the possibility of – and thus seek to avoid – a negative response to their family within the school. Perhaps parents who live in communities that they view as homophobic are used to playing the role of self-advocate; that is, they may be accustomed to having to fight for their family’s rights (Goldberg et al, 2014). By serving on school committees, chaperoning field trips, and attending school events, same-sex parents boldly announce themselves to schools and also establish themselves as valuable members of the school community.…”

Pride and Prejudice : Lesbian Families in Contemporary Sweden

“…Having a child in a planned lesbian family often directly involves healthcare services or welfare institutions, such as fertility clinics, maternal health care or adoption agencies. Accordingly, a great number of studies regard lesbians' encounters with such institutions (Brown et al, 2009;Cherguit, Burns, Pettle, & Tasker, 2013;Dahl, Fylkesnes, Sørlie & Malterud, 2013;Dahl Spidsberg, 2007;Goldberg, Weber, Moyer & Shapiro, 2014;Hayman et al, 2013;;Kinkler & Goldberg, 2011;McManus, Hunter & Renn, 2006;Mallon, 2011;Peel, 2010;Ross et al 2008Ross et al , 2009Ryan & Withlock, 2007;Shields et al, 2012;Wilton & Kaufmann, 2001). These studies generally highlight discrimination and prejudices, labelled as heteronormativity, heterosexism or homophobia, depending on the researcher's epistemological and theoretical background.…”

Legal Counseling and the Marriage Decision: The Impact of Same‐Sex Marriage on Family Law Practice

“…Within these contexts, LGBT individuals and their attorneys are more likely to have experienced recent exclusion from relationship recognition, discriminatory legal decisions, and uncertainty or fear regarding the stability of legal rights (Baumle & Compton, ). This experience echoes that of LGBT individuals in Florida after the lifting of an adoption ban, when the history of gay animus resulted in distrust and skepticism regarding the permanency of the repeal of the law (Goldberg et al, ). Although this experience was not universally reported by my participants located in more negative legal or sociopolitical environments, those living in legally positive states described socialization effects as a driving force for legal counseling about the marriage decision more so than legal uncertainty.…”

“…These increasing numbers of married same‐sex couples follow a long and contentious battle by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community for state and federal marriage rights (Richman, ). The history surrounding the same‐sex marriage movement is likely to shape the perspectives of those affected, including whether LGBT individuals choose to exercise this new right and the meanings they construct about marriage (Baumle & Compton, ; Goldberg, Weber, Moyer, & Shapiro, ). Survey data indicate, for example, that approximately 46% of those who identify as LGBT view the acquisition of legal rights as a “very important” reason to marry, in contrast to only 23% of those who do not identify as LGBT (Pew Research Center, ).…”