Foster parenting.....

[ctozrn]

My partner and I have been thinking of becoming foster parents. We have thought about eventually adopting but are not ready for that yet. We have two teenagers 15,13 so we really don't want older kids right now. We would like some little people running around! They don't have to be babies just not teenagers! We have enough hormones here!

My question though is will they let us be foster parents as lesbians? Has anyone had any luck doing this here in the south, the bible belt? Would also like to hear from other people in other areas of the country and their experiences.

Thanks!

Chris and Jan

[2DadsnAnaheim]

Hi ctozrn aka Chris and Jan,

I don't know about the area where you 2 live, but out here in California, yes it is Legal for 2 Lesbians or 2 Gay Males to adopt. There are still some Agencies here in California that are very hesitant, if not bias against either Gay/Lesbian Couples adopting kids.


We have been very fortunate to have had a successful adoption of 2 wonderful and loving boys. We are currently re-undergoing adopting a girl to add to our 4Ever Family. The agency we work with is very much so open to working with the Gay and Lesbian Community here in California. Believe it or not in somewhat conservative Orange County, the County has been really open to working with the us as well. It could be just that culture out here in California is open to it. I know that there are alot of States out there that are trying to ban adoption by either a Gay/Lesbian Couple or individual.

There are alot of websites that are on the R Family Community Resources area, that should be able to tell you what state is for or against adoption by a same sex couple.

I would do some research in your area, check with your local Gay and Lesbian Center to find out what resources are in your area. They should be able to help you find out the information that you are looking for or at least point you in the right direction towards it.

Take care and good luck, on the road to adoption,

[ctozrn]

Thanks for the advice. I am originally from the Cali area so this southern stuff is foreign to me sometimes! I have family in California that are gay as well, and have heard that it is a lot easier to be gay there! I was born in West Covina and have family in the Temecula area.

I will try to start going through some of the agencies in this area and see if I can find out some info. Good luck on your new baby girl to be! It sounds as if you have a beautiful family. Maybe we will see you on the boat soon!

Christine

[2DadsnAnaheim]

Ladies, here something that might be able to ansewer some of your legal questions as to if Same Sex Adoption is Legal in North Carolina.

Here's a link to the North Carolina Laws around adoption: www.dhhs.state.nc.us/dss/adopt/statutes.html

[2DadsnAnaheim]

Here's some more information from the HRC Website:

> Home > HRC


North Carolina Adoption Law

Permits single GLBT individuals to petition to adopt? Yes.
North Carolina law permits any adult to petition to adopt. N.C. GEN STAT. § 48-1-103.

Permits a same-sex couple to jointly petition to adopt? Unclear.

Permits a same-sex partner to petition to adopt partner’s adopted child? Unclear.

[cebii]

My partner and I foster/adopt in Texas. It is a little more complicated because we cannot foster as a couple, so her name is on the paperwork and I, officially, am a roommate, but that is just on paper. Everyone from the judge on down has been supportive. The fostering agency and the casewokers have been great. I think that the state caseworkers like us because they know we take it very seriously and don't just do it for the money. Every couple of years the Texas Legislature looks at bills that would take our not-yet-adopted kids away because we are gay, but it never makes it out of committee.

We never lack for kids. There are many kids who actually request lesbian homes because they are gay themselves or have issues with men. I say, give it a try. It is a lot of work, but well worth it.

[spiritualchef]

My partner and I are in Ny State. We have adopted a little boy we took into foster care at 1 month old. We just got a surrender on his baby sister, w have had her from birth and will adopt her soon. We were both able to adopt her as a couple. I also adopted our daughter that my partner gave birth to. Everyone in our county has been very supportive from the home studies to court.