Adoption Inequality: A Glance at LGBT Discrimination

A1- Did you know that perfectly qualified parent-figures are denied adoption rights due to the most irrelevant reasons, such as sexual orientation?

A2- In 2014, Spencer Chandra-Herbert and his husband Romi Chandra were contacted about a young child that needed to be fostered, and if possible, adopted (Corregan). They gladly accepted the offer to foster the child, with the intent of adopting it. They had been prime candidates to foster the child, as they were a mixed-race couple. They were denied the right to adopt the child due to the simple fact that they were a LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender) couple, which is in no way relative to the matter of adoption. The child's extended family, whom did not want to take any part in the child’s life, objected to it being raised by a homosexual couple. If they wanted no part in the child’s life, why did they get

to choose who fostered, or adopted, the child?
A3- Situations like this is unacceptable. Why deny adoption rights to perfectly good parents just because they have a different sexual orientation? There’s no good reason except the, severely incorrect, preconceived notion that the child will be raised poorly. There have been multiple studies performed, proving that a child raised in a homosexual household grew up to be the same, if not better, than those raised by heterosexual couples.
B1- A detailed analysis of 500 same-sex couples by Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston concluded that children raised by same-sex parents ware just as well off as children raised by heterosexual couples (Golden Cradle Adoption Services). These studies took into account; sexual orientation identification, self-esteem, relationships with family, the ability to adjust, underlying psychological issues, relationshipsd with peers, intelligence, behavior, and gender identity.
B2- In one particular study, focusing on lesbian couples found that these couples had similar styles and skills when it came to parenting as straight mothers. Gay couples more often create partnerships and households built on equality, specifically gender equality, than heterosexual couples. Gay couples are often more equitable when it comes to things like child-rearing, household chores, and overall relationship maintenance, and this has positive results for children raised in these environments. A recent report by the Association of Psychological Science found that daughters were more likely to have professional ambitions in households where both parent-figures shared equally in the household work. (Dahl) In fact, the University of Melbourne found that the most important negative factor in the lives of children raised by gay parents was the verbal abuse, by other people, not the parents themselves, they faced as children of gay parents. So same-sex adoption hurts children when people discriminate against those children for having same-sex parents. Once again, it is the unacceptability of the thing - not the thing itself - that is harmful.
B3- If being raised by a homosexual is so horrible, then why do these studies show that it’s actually beneficial for the child? It’s not a bad thing that same-sex couples just want a child to call their own when they biologically can’t. They just want to raise a child. So the government should make it illegal to discriminate against gay or lesbian couples in adoption matters.
B4- Another reason that same-sex couples should be allowed to adopt is that not allowing them to do so is a form of discrimination.
C1- Allowing heterosexual couples to adopt children, but denying that right to homosexuals is discrimination.
C2- Civilized societies do not discriminate on grounds of race, creed, gender or sexuality, yet the denial of equal adoption rights to gay couples is clear discrimination. Gay and heterosexual couples deserve the same legal rights to adopt. Anything less is pure inequality based on ignorance. In some countries, gay individuals can adopt as single parents, but gay couples can’t, that’s purely absurd. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights ‘Article 7’ says clearly “all are equal before the law … all are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination.” (Waltz).
C3- Just think about that for a minute, that means that black people are protected from discrimination.

Hispanics are protected from discrimination. Why would you not protect those who fell in love with someone of the same sex from the discrimination they face? What if that someone was related to you? Would you allow them to be shunned from society? Or would you fight for their rights?

C4- Ok, so this whole paper has been for supporting same-sex adoption, but what about the opposing team? What do they have to say?

D1- Many people who are against gay adoption say that if gays and/or lesbians were allowed to adopt children, they’d [the gays] ruin family values, or that restricting same-sex adoption is preventing children from being “turned gay”.

D2- Already many studies have shown that children raised in a homosexual household are just as well off as those raised in a heterosexual environment.

D3- As for the ‘making them gay’ argument, that's just absurd. Numerous studies have proved that the household you were raised in has absolutely nothing to do with sexuality, gender roles, and gender

identities.
D4- So all of you who believe that same-sex couples should not be allowed to adopt, take a look at the facts again.
E1- Gays and lesbians should be allowed to adopt and should not be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation.
E2- All LGBT people should have equal rights to their heterosexual counterparts. It makes no sense that any heterosexual can adopt single or married, but a gay or lesbian can’t adopt as either unless they face multiple obstacles and obstructions. As a people, we should try to remove these hurdles barring gays and lesbians against adopting.