Institute speaks out for gay adoption rights

[Zenlitened]

An institute speaks out for gay adoption rights
Says restrictions deprive children

By David Crary, Associated Press | March 24, 2006

NEW YORK -- As the debate over gay adoption flares in several states, including Massachusetts, a major adoption institute says it supports the rights of gays and lesbians to adopt.

''Policies that preclude adoption by gay or lesbian parents disadvantage the tens of thousands of children mired in the foster-care system," the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute said in the report to be issued today.

It advised agencies and officials to make firm statements in support of such adoptions, forsaking a ''don't-ask-don't-tell" approach, which prompts some gays to feel their chances of adopting hinge on being discreet.

Adoption agencies should energetically recruit gays and lesbians by including them in outreach programs and parenting panels, the institute said.

Article continues:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/03/24/an_institute_speaks_out_for_gay_adoption_rights/

And this from the Institute's website, in the Executive Summary of their statement:

Principal findings

• Against a backdrop of increasing public acceptance, social science research concludes that
children reared by gay and lesbian parents fare comparably to those of children raised by
heterosexuals on a range of measures of social and psychological adjustment.

• Studies are increasing in number and rigor, but the body of research on gay/lesbian parents
is relatively small and has methodological limitations. Still, virtually every valid study reaches
the same conclusion: The children of gays and lesbians adjust positively and their families
function well. The limited research on gay/lesbian adoption points in the same direction.

• Though few states have laws or policies explicitly barring homosexuals from adopting, some
individual agencies and workers outside those states discriminate against gay and lesbian
applicants based on their own biases or on mistaken beliefs that such prohibitions exist.

• Laws and policies that preclude adoption by gay or lesbian parents disadvantage the tens of
thousands of children mired in the foster care system who need permanent, loving homes.

Link:
http://www.adoptioninstitute.org/policy/2006_Expanding_Resources_for_Children.php

[loudestchick]

1. So, I guess my friend Brad should seriously consider that move to New York

We go through this often...It's almost criminal that children languish in foster care but loving individuals aren't allowed to provide a stable home because of sexual orientation and the bigotted fears of the uninformed!:grr: