LGBTQ+ Adoption
1 in 6 adoptions in England are with LGBTQ+ single people and couples. You might have just started to think about the possibility of adopting: What will it mean for you? Who will offer you support? Who are the children you could be welcoming into your home?
Thinking about Adoption?
We know people identify themselves in different ways and we welcome applications from people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other identities. We use LGBTQ+ to be inclusive.
If you are from the LGBTQ+ community and are thinking about adopting a child, or would like to know more information about adoption, Adopt London is here to help you. We prepare, approve, and support adoptive parents for children across London. We positively encourage applicants who identify as LGBTQ+
“Adoption was always our first choice as a way to start a family. My wife and I have so much love to give and why not give that to a child who has not had the best start in life.”
Did you know?
- You can be single and adopt
- If you are a couple you do not need to be in a Civil Partnership or married to adopt, you will only need to show that you are living together in a long-term relationship.
- You must be aged 21 or over, but there is no upper age limit, as long as you are able to cope with the rigours of parenting and to support a child through to their adulthood.
The focus of the adoption assessment is on each applicant’s relevant qualities and their capacity to meet the needs of the children we have currently waiting.
Working with the LGBTQ+ community
LGBTQ+ adopters bring so much to adoption and provide loving homes for so many children. Since 2019, Adopt London has approved & matched children with many LGBTQ+ families. All kinds of people make great adoptive parents. We welcome enquiries from couples or single people living in London or the neighbouring Home Counties. It doesn’t matter about your marital status, ethnicity, culture, age, disability, or religious beliefs, it’s about your ability to provide a loving stable home for one of the London children we have waiting.
Who are the children currently in our care? We are currently prioritising adopters for our Black African, Caribbean, and mixed ethnicity children, children aged 2-6 years old who have complex needs due to their early life experiences, sibling groups, and babies and children under 2 years old who need a family via the Early Permanence scheme.
“I thought that there would be more scrutiny, more questions. There have not been. I feel that we’ve been treated as any couple would be treated.”
Is it the right time for you?
Deciding to adopt is a big decision no matter when you make it. Becoming a parent to an adopted child is a fulfilling experience. Not only do you get to meet a wonderful new person, and help them grow and develop, and help them make sense of their early life experiences. You can teach them to bake, ride a bike and reach their full potential.
Ready to find out more? The first step is to attend one of our Adoption Information Events; you may also find it insightful to read our helpful FAQs and take a look at some of our Adoption Stories like those from Eddie, Evan, or a couple who adopted 3 siblings.
Would you like to Meet The Adopters? Although all agencies work to the same guidelines in practice, they can be very different in experience. We invite you to attend one of our unique ‘Meet the Adopter’ events to hear from the families who have been assessed and supported by us. They will share their story of working with us, answer your questions, bust myths and address any concerns you may have.
Join an LGBTQ+ adoption community free today
Adopt London are gold members of New Family Social, and all our LGBTQ+ families are automatically entitled to a free membership. We encourage you to use this free membership as an opportunity to build support networks, gain experience in looking after children if you don’t already have some, and as a resource to address any questions or concerns.
NFS was formed and is run by LGBTQ+ adopters and foster carers who have been through the process, have children, and have experienced the joys and sometimes the challenges that previously looked-after children bring. They can put you in touch with other adopters. They will support you through your entire adoption journey, and provide exclusive access to articles and podcasts, provide face-to-face and virtual meet-ups across the UK with like-minded peer groups, from chatty coffee mornings to informative webinars and annual; and camping trips. You can sign up for free today.
Listen to some of NFS catalogue of Podcasts
Series 1 –Meeting your adopted child’s birth mother. In episode 3 Mark shares his experience of meeting his adopted sons’ birth mother.
Series 4 – Adopting when you are non-binary. In episode 6 Charlie talks about their successful if tricky, adoption journey as an out non-binary person.
Series 5 – When introductions go wrong. In episode 3 Myfanwy and Jay talk about their child’s foster carer trying to sabotage introductions.
Series 6 – Adopting an older autistic child has been a joy. In episode 1 – Emily and her partner adopted a seven-year-old autistic boy who has brought so much into their lives. Emily encourages prospective adopters to be open-minded about children with additional needs.
Some recommended reading
We recommend the following books about LGBTQ+ parenting and adoption to broaden your understanding of adoption and grow your understanding of the needs of children waiting. These will provide great insight into the task ahead, and offer advice on the parenting styles. Other resources are listed on our Resources page.
Lesbian and Gay Fostering and Adoption edited by Stephen Hicks & Janet McDermott. Presenting a collection of personal accounts of lesbian and gay parents from many different social and ethnic backgrounds, it is designed to dispel misconceptions and encourage gay men and lesbians who are thinking about adopting or fostering children.
Fatherhood For Gay Men by Kevin McGarry. This is the story of one man’s journey down the road less traveled—a single gay man adopting and raising his two sons. McGarry recounts his passage into parenthood after years of having his natural fathering instincts stifled by the limits—real and perceived—of being gay. This unique book details the emotional, financial, practical, and social realities of the adoption process for gay men.
Adoption by Lesbians and Gay Men: A New Dimension in Family Diversity by David M. Brodzinski. This book explores the range of historical, legal, sociological, psychological, social casework, and personal issues related to adoption by sexual-minority individuals and couples. Leading experts in a variety of fields address, and often shatter the controversies, myths, and misconceptions hindering efforts by these individuals to adopt and raise children.
The Pink Guide to Adoption for Lesbians and Gay Men Paperback – 3 Sept. 2012 by Nicola Hill. For both single adopters and same-sex couples wishing to adopt. The first part of the book explores the adoption process and examines how being a prospective lesbian or gay adopter can and does affect every aspect of this. Illustrated throughout with quotations from those who have already experienced, the adoption process. They describe the highs and lows, the welcome they have received and also the prejudices encountered, the difficulties and the rewards.
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