Many gay and lesbian families adopt children domestically as well as through intercountry adoption. In this section you will find information and resources regarding adoption by LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning) families.
Adoption and Foster Care by Lesbian and Gay Parents in the United States (PDF - 547 KB)
Gates, Badgett, Macomber, & Chambers (2007)
The Williams Institute & The Urban Institute
Provides new information on adoption and foster care by gay, lesbian, and bisexual parents from several government data sources.
Adoption and Parenting
Lambda Legal
Provides information about adoption by LGBT and HIV-positive individuals and families and the organization's impact on related laws.
Adoption by Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Parents: An Overview of Current Law (PDF - 131 KB)
National Center for Lesbian Rights
Offers a description of the different types of adoption available to lesbian, gay, and bisexual parents and a brief overview of the current law.
Gay and Lesbian Families in the Census: Couples With Children
The Urban Institute (2003)
Illustrates the percentage of all U.S. counties with at least one same-sex couple with children under age 18 in the household, according to the 2000 Census.
Information Packet: Gay and Lesbian Second Parent Adoptions (PDF - 163 KB)
National Resource Center for Foster Care & Permanency Planning (2004)
Explores the issue of second-parent adoption in the case of gay and lesbian couples.
Issue: Adoption
Human Rights Campaign
Discusses the various adoption options, resources, and publications that are available to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals and couples interested in starting a family through adoption.
LGBT Adoptive and Foster Parenting (PDF - 351 KB)
National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections (2010)
Presents research, legislation, and statistics on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) parenting and provides best practices and promising approaches.
Second Parent Adoption in the U.S. (PDF - 634 KB)
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (2008)
Presents a map that indicates the legal status of second-parent adoption in each State.