Open Adoption with Gay Adoptive Parents
Open Adoption with Gay Adoptive Parents
“Love is unselfishly choosing for another’s highest good.” – C.S. Lewis
As a birth mother, making the decision to place your baby for adoption can be overwhelming and emotional. If you opt to choose the adoptive parents, that decision alone is not easy. There are so many prospective families to choose from, so it’s understandable if you have mixed emotions.
There are a few different types of adoption: open, semi-open, and closed. Fully open adoption allows the birth parents and the adoptive parents to have direct contact. This can through phone calls, emails, letters or visits. Semi-open adoption, also known as mediated adoption, usually has a third party, such as a lawyer or social worker, pass letters or photos between families. With closed adoptions, the birth parents do not have any contact with the child or adoptive parents.
This month, Adoption Choices of Las Vegas is focusing on open adoption in the LGBT community. Today, gay adoption is more of a possibility than ever. From a legal standpoint to growing acceptance in the United States, we are seeing more diverse families. If you’re considering placing your baby with gay adoptive parents and would like to remain in the child’s life, here’s what open adoption looks like for gay adoptive parents:
Great communication
There are many misconceptions about LGBT parents. Although gay adoption is controversial, it does offer many benefits – one of those being excellent communication. While it’s not guaranteed, it is more likely. Studies show that gay couples and individuals even have more stable relationships than hetersexual adoptive families. This carries over to not just with their partner or spouse – but with other family members and friends as well.
Having good communication is especially important in an open adoption because it creates healthy boundaries and allows you to maintain a reasonable, well-balanced relationship with your child and his/her new family.
Your child will be more knowledgeable about his/her genetics
Many adoptees tend to have a lot of “what if…” questions pertaining to their history. Due to the desire that many gay adoptive parents have of maintaining a relationship with the birth parents, those questions will likely have more than enough sufficient answers.
This also eliminates medical background uncertainties or a lack of knowledge about his or her ancestry. As a birth mother, you can also communicate to your child the reason for the adoption and ensure that they know that he or she is wanted. This is more of a win-win situation for everyone involved.
More support
Most times, adoptive families in an open adoption are akin to extended families to the birth parents. This is helpful because they understand your situation and can offer strength, encouragement and advice. Your child’s adoptive family may also be appreciative that your child has more people to love him or her.
Gay adoptive parents are more likely to relate to feelings of isolation and be more empathetic, due to past injustices they have faced. This usually means an increased understanding and heightened awareness of mental health issues. These are not only great traits in an adoptive parent, but also aren’t bad qualities to have in someone that you’re close with or see often.
Greater peace with adoption decision
Unlike a closed adoption, an open adoption allows you to see firsthand how your child is doing. Although it isn’t always the case, it can make it easier to deal with the grief or loss. Choosing adoption may be one of the most difficult decisions that you’ve made, so having an open relationship with your child and his or her adoptive family gives you the peace of mind to know that he or she is well-loved and cared for.
Open Adoption with Gay Adoptive Parents
Overall, open adoption is a unique and special form of adoption that offers many benefits. Gay adoptive parents offer just as much, if not more, than any other adoptive family and they deserve the same opportunities.
Although it’s important to do your research and consult with others prior to making a permanent decision, Adoption Choices of Las Vegas is here for your encouragement. There is no “right” answer, and we will support you along this journey.
Adoption Choices of Las Vegas has been providing adoption and surrogacy services across in Las Vegas since 2012. For information more general to Nevada, please visit our mother site Adoption Choices of Nevada. For information specific to Reno, please visit our sister site Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Reno. You can also call us to speak to someone now. Contact Us 24/7: CALL OR TEXT 702-474-4673
Meet the Author: Hi! I’m Ashley! I am a senior at Loyola University Chicago pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in journalism. My hobbies include: reading, writing, and binge-watching the newest Netflix craze.
I hope to one day be a reporter, but I also have an interest in social work. When I’m not in school or working, you can find me relaxing with friends, shopping or volunteering at a local foster home.