What Changed When the Gay Adoption Ban was Lifted?: Perspectives of Lesbian and Gay Parents in Florida

Law and LGBQ-Parent Families

“…The need for such research is especially acute because the demographics of the families most represented in research do not reflect the demographics of LGBQ people raising children (Gates 2013). For instance, same-sex couples of color are much more likely to be raising children and are also more likely to be economically disadvantaged compared to their White counterparts (Moore and Brainer 2013); LGBQ parents are more likely to be economically disadvantaged compared to their heterosexual counterparts (Gates 2013); the regions with the highest percentage of same-sex couples raising children include the South and Midwest (Gates 2013); and the majority of LGBQ parents had their children in the context of a different-sex relationship (Goldberg et al 2013). Additionally, bisexual and transgender parents, along with polyamorous families are underrepresented in current research (Biblarz and Savci 2010) (for exceptions, see : Downing 2013;Pfeffer 2012;Ross and Dobinson 2013;Sheff 2010).…”

“…Legal barriers also exist for LGBQ people who want to pursue international adoption. Specifically, no country currently allows same-sex couples to adopt internationally and thus often only one person can be legally recognized as the adoptive parent (Goldberg et al 2013). Further, not all countries allow single LGBQ people to adopt (ILGA 2015).…”

“…(2015, p. 10). Their comments underscore the fact that same-sex couples need to hide their relationship when adopting internationally (Goldberg et al 2013).…”

“…For instance, Goldberg et al (2013) interviewed gay and lesbian couples in Florida before and after the ban on gay adoption was lifted. They found that the legal discrimination created and worsened the stress for lesbian and gay parents.…”

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Adoption Law

“…Unable to adopt their children, parents often pursued wills, powers of attorney, and other legal safeguards to provide their families with some semblance of security and protection, but noted financial strain associated with pursuing these protections. Positive advantages associated with the lifting of the ban included enhanced security and relief for parents and children and the ability to be out in the adoption process (Goldberg et al, ). Yet, in the wake of the lifting of the ban, participants often found it difficult to locate lawyers and adoption agencies that were knowledgeable about and comfortable with gay adoption, thus highlighting the potential for the lingering effects of anti‐gay legislation after its removal (Goldberg et al, ).…”