Same-sex adoption

Same-sex adoption is the adoption of children by same-sex couples. It may take the form of a joint adoption by the couple, or of the adoption by one partner of the other's biological child (stepchild adoption).

Joint adoption by same-sex couples is permitted in 39 countries. Most countries and territories that allow same-sex marriage (exceptions being Aruba, Curaçao and Ecuador), as well as several countries and dependent territories that do not (Bolivia, Croatia, Israel and two UK territories of Bermuda and the Cayman Islands) allow for same-sex joint adoption. In some of the countries with marriage, legislation for adoption preceded that for marriage.

Adoption is only permitted for same sex married couples in 21 of the 31 Mexican states and Mexico City, despite a Supreme Court ruling that requires states to allow it. Stepchild adoption is permitted for same-sex couples in two countries without same-sex marriage - San Marino and Czechia permits step-child adoption in which the registered partner can adopt the biological and, in some cases, the adopted child of his or her partner.

Given that constitutions and statutes usually do not address the adoption rights of LGBT persons, judicial decisions often determine whether they can serve as parents either individually or as couples. Opponents of adoption by same-sex couples have argued that LGBT parenting adversely affects children. However, research consistently shows that gay and lesbian parents are as fit and capable as heterosexual parents, and their children are as psychologically healthy and well-adjusted as those reared by heterosexual parents.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Same-sex parents pursuing adoption must also contend with social pressures to conform to heteronormative gender roles.^[4] The concept of gender role models is necessitated by the bureaucratic organization of foster care and adoption agencies, particularly in the United States.^[5]

^ "Marriage of Same-Sex Couples – 2006 Position Statement Canadian Psychological Association" (PDF). 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 April 2009.
^ "Elizabeth Short, Damien W. Riggs, Amaryll Perlesz, Rhonda Brown, Graeme Kane: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Parented Families – A Literature Review prepared for The Australian Psychological Society" (PDF). Retrieved 15 January 2020.
^ "Brief of the American Psychological Association, Kentucky Psychological Association, Ohio Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Michigan Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, National Association of Social Workers, National Association of Social Workers Tennessee Chapter, National Association of Social Workers Michigan Chapter, National Association of Social Workers Kentucky Chapter, National Association of Social Workers Ohio Chapter, American Psychoanalytic Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, and American Medical Association as Amici Curiae in Support of Petitioners" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[cpa2006-1] "Marriage of Same-Sex Couples – 2006 Position Statement Canadian Psychological Association" (PDF). 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 April 2009.

[apsp-2] "Elizabeth Short, Damien W. Riggs, Amaryll Perlesz, Rhonda Brown, Graeme Kane: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Parented Families – A Literature Review prepared for The Australian Psychological Society" (PDF). Retrieved 15 January 2020.

[amici2010-3] "Brief of the American Psychological Association, Kentucky Psychological Association, Ohio Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Michigan Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, National Association of Social Workers, National Association of Social Workers Tennessee Chapter, National Association of Social Workers Michigan Chapter, National Association of Social Workers Kentucky Chapter, National Association of Social Workers Ohio Chapter, American Psychoanalytic Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, and American Medical Association as Amici Curiae in Support of Petitioners" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2017.

[:0-4] Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[:1-5] Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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