A Common Gay Adoption Story
Richard and Matthew* (names changed for privacy), a married gay couple from Texas, embarked on their adoption journey with high hopes. Despite having stable jobs and a loving home, they faced numerous rejections from adoption agencies that prioritized heterosexual couples. After three years of an anguished wait, they finally connected with an agency that championed LGBTQ+ rights. Their perseverance paid off, and they adopted a beautiful baby girl.
According to the 2019 National Survey of Adoptive Parents, LGBTQ+ parents are four times more likely to be raising an adopted child than heterosexual parents. Despite this, a study by the Donaldson Adoption Institute found that 45% of LGBTQ+ adoptive parents reported experiencing bias or discrimination from agencies and birth parents during their adoption process. One alarming statistic often shared by GWK Academy’s adoption mentor is that only one in every four adoption / foster agencies support LGBTQ+ family building!
Richard and Matthew’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance due diligence and research play in gay and queer adoption. But most people have no idea where to even get started! Navigating the complex landscape of adoption is daunting for anyone, but even more so for gay or queer folk who have to be concerned not only about finding the most ethical agencies and professionals, but also those who are LGBTQ+ competent.
How GWK Academy Can Help
At GWK Academy our goal is to prepare you and other dads-to-be for your adoption or foster journey before you get started while integrating you in our ever-growing community of other adoptive and foster dads and dads-to-be. Through GWK Academy, not only will you be prepared for the journey ahead, but we’ll also ensure you are matched with the most ethical adoption organizations that share our own passion for LGBTQ+ family building!
As a first step, we encourage you to make your way through our Adoption / Foster-Adopt course, which will take you through everything you need to know about your upcoming journey, including how long it will take, how much it will cost, and insight on the various family-building partners (adoption agencies, lawyers, mental health, etc) you will hire for your journey. We also share key milestones you will need to meet and prepare you for some of the most common challenges you may come up against. Our mentor matching service is always popular, and we also share best practices for finding the best agencies to work with, and even offer individualized agency recommendations that best meet your specific needs.
Through webinars, coaching calls, and personalized mentoring, you’ll receive firsthand insights and encouragement from those who have been in your shoes. Our goal is to eliminate barriers and create a smoother, more affirming path to fatherhood for all gay and queer individuals. And we do so all for free.
Next Steps
Join GWK Academy now for free and start your journey to becoming a dad with confidence and support. Sign up for free and gain access to expert resources, exclusive discounts, and a community of like-minded individuals who are ready to help you every step of the way. Let us help you turn your dreams of parenthood into reality.
