The New York City Administration for Children’s Services has launched a new, citywide campaign for adoptive and foster parents, including lesbian and gay parents and those affirming of LGBT youth.
The “Be the Reason” campaign “will reflect the range of young people who need homes, including teenagers, disabled young people, sibling groups, and LGBTQ youth,” according to a press release. At the same time, ACS hopes it will raise awareness among people who may not realize that they “qualify” to be a foster parent. The campaign “seeks to dispel these misconceptions with an inclusive message that shows the love that a young person can bring to the life of an adoptive or foster parent. The campaign targets some of these specific groups including older New Yorkers, single adults, lesbians and gay men.”
None of the posters on the campaign’s site show an obvious lesbian mom, although the single mom’s orientation is unknown.
This is not the first campaign to target lesbian and gay people as prospective foster and adoptive parents. The non-profit RaiseAChild.US launched one last year in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services and local adoption agencies, and will be expanding to additional cities. Several agencies in southern California ran one titled “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Family” in 2009.
The NYC ACS informs us that in New York City, “there are approximately 12,800 children and teens living in foster care. Currently, over 700 teenagers are available for adoption, including teens who are LGBTQ, pregnant or parenting, or have special needs.” Interested prospective parents should call 311, visit www.nyc.gov and search NYCFoster, or text “reason” to 877-877.
