Adoption

LGBTQ Parenting Guides

Recent LGBTQ Parenting Books: Which Ones Are Right for You?

The past two years have seen many great books about starting and raising families as an LGBTQ person, as well as books for all parents wanting to raise children with an understanding of LGBTQ identities. Each offers something different, though, so here’s my guide to help you find what’s right for you.

"The best answer to people out there who think we don't even count as a real family is the love and the beauty of our family itself." — Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, on Life Out Loud with LZ Granderson

“A Thriving Family”: Pete Buttigieg Talks Parenting

Pete Buttigieg, secretary of transportation and gay dad, spoke to ABC Audio’s podcast Life Out Loud with LZ Granderson about starting his family, what parenthood is like for him, responding to criticism about his family, and more! Have a listen!

Two New Memoirs Explore Queer Families

Two new memoirs offer differing looks at queer families. In one, the author reflects on the coming out not only of her and her two siblings (as lesbian, bi, and trans, respectively), but of their dad as gay. In another, the author shares her story of navigating infertility, miscarriage, breast cancer, separation, and adoption.

LGBTQ Family Building Books

4 New Books to Help LGBTQ People Start Their Families

Four recent books (two just out today!) are here to guide LGBTQ prospective parents of all genders and sexual identities (and their health care professionals) on the start of their parenting journeys.

Michigan Reaffirms Support for LGBTQ Families Even as Legal Settlement Allows Discrimination in Foster Care and Adoption

The state of Michigan must continue contracting with child service agencies that discriminate against same-sex couples, according to the settlement this week of a long-running case whose outcome rested on a 2021 U.S. Supreme Court decision. The state’s Children’s Services Agency nevertheless reaffirmed its commitment to supporting LGBTQ people who want to foster or adopt or are already doing so.

Hands Touching Fingers

Jewish Couple Sues Tennessee for Discrimination in Adoption (and Why All Queer People Should Care)

A husband and wife in Tennessee are suing the state, saying that a state-funded foster care and adoption program turned them away because they are Jewish. To the best of my knowledge, neither is queer, so why am I writing about this on a queer website? Because discrimination in foster care and adoption is a very queer issue, and there is federal legislation pending that could end it for everyone, queer and otherwise.

Family Equality - Love, Lawyers & The Government

Watch: It Takes “Love, Lawyers & The Government” to Make a Baby

A humorous but pointed new video from Family Equality shows two dads answering their child’s question of “Where do babies come from?” by discussing lawyers, home studies, and bias against queer families. It reminds us that the path to parenthood for LGBTQ people is still full of obstacles and inequalities. Watch it here, just in time for Parents’ Day this Sunday, July 25.