Celebrating two decades of LGBTQ+ adoption progress

Adopt London we have been reflecting on the strides made towards equality and inclusion. In adoption, the past two decades have brought monumental change transforming the landscape for LGBTQ+ adopters, breaking down barriers, and ensuring that children find the loving families they deserve. This week we look back at the successes of the last two decades, acknowledge some of the challenges that remain, and look forward to an even more inclusive future. #ChangeLivesIn25

A pivotal turning point: The 2002 Adoption and Children Act
Before the 2002 Adoption and Children Act, LGBTQ+ individuals faced significant legal barriers when looking to adopt. While single LGBTQ+ people could sometimes adopt, joint adoption as a same-sex couple was not permitted, making the process more complex and uncertain. When the law changed in 2005 to allow same-sex couples to adopt jointly, it marked a watershed moment ensuring that all families, regardless of sexual orientation, had equal rights in adoption.

Progress and positive change over the last 20 years
Since then, adoption agencies across the UK have made enormous advances in welcoming LGBTQ+ adopters. Today, around one in four adoptions in England is by LGBTQ+ individuals or couples which is a significant shift from just a few decades ago. Social workers, adoption agencies, and local authorities have worked to improve training, challenge biases, and ensure that LGBTQ+ families are fully supported.
LGBTQ+ adopters bring a wealth of resilience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence to parenting qualities that are particularly beneficial when caring for children with complex early life experiences.

In London, adoption agencies have embraced diversity, ensuring that LGBTQ+ adopters are actively encouraged to come forward. Adopt London, working across 24 local authorities, has continued to champion inclusion by offering support, guidance, and access to networks like New Family Social that empower LGBTQ+ families with knowledge support and connections throughout the adoption journey.

Changing attitudes, challenging prejudice
The past two decades have seen a remarkable cultural shift. LGBTQ+ adopters are widely accepted and celebrated as loving and capable parents. The emphasis has rightly moved from an adopters sexual orientation to their ability to provide a stable, nurturing home.

Occasionally some challenges remain. While overt discrimination has significantly declined, some LGBTQ+ adopters still report facing some unconscious bias or assumptions about their suitability as parents, and it is important that adoption professionals continue to embrace and access the training available to fully understand the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ families.

Fortunately, ongoing training and education is helping to tackle these barriers. At Adopt London we work closely with New Family Social, who play a crucial role in shaping our progress, training to our social workers to help make our London adoption services inclusive and welcoming.

Looking to the future: How do we continue to improve?
While we have made great progress, the journey isn’t over. The future of adoption must focus on continued training for social workers to ensure that all adoption professionals are fully equipped to support LGBTQ+ families with confidence and understanding, as well as encouraging more LGBTQ+ people to step forward as potential adopters, knowing they will be welcomed and supported.

A time to celebrate
LGBTQ+ people are a fundamental part of the adoption community, providing love, security, and stability to the London children who need it most. We celebrate two decades of progress, resilience, and love, and we look forward to a future where every child has the chance to grow up in a safe and loving home regardless of their adoptive parents’ gender or sexuality.

At Adopt London, we are proud to stand alongside LGBTQ+ adopters, past, present, and future. Your journey matters, your family matters, and together we will continue to champion equality for every child in need of a home.

Thinking about adoption?
If you are an LGBTQ+ individual or couple considering adoption, we need for more adoptive households from the LGBTQ+ community. Adopt London welcomes you and invites you to start your journey with us today. Get in touch with any of our four Regional Adoption Agencies to learn more about the process, the children waiting and the support available. You could change a child’s life forever. #ChangeLivesIn25