(San Francisco, CA, May 2, 2017)—In Kentucky, family court judge W. Mitchell Nance has issued an order recusing himself from adoption cases involving “homosexual parties.” The order was sent last week to all attorneys in Kentucky’s Barren and Metcalfe counties, calling it a “matter of conscience” and stating there is no circumstance in which “the best interest of the child be promoted by the adoption by a practicing homosexual.” National Center for Lesbian Rights Family Law Director Cathy...
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A compilation of policy statements from professional associations and organizations supporting adoption by Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual people. Organizations include: American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry American Academy of Family Physicians American Academy of Pediatrics American Bar Association American Medical Association American Psychiatric Association American Psychoanalytic Association American Psychological Association Child Welfare League of America Evan B. Donaldson...
This publication provides an overview of the legal rights of LGBTQ parents and their children in the United States. Download PDF
A summary of state laws on second parent adoptions. Download PDF
Una guía informative para padres de familias LGBTQ sobre cómo proteger sus derechos (Español e Inglés) Download PDF
This publication provides guidelines for families and attorneys for protecting parent-child relationships and obtaining legal recognition of family ties. Download PDF
(San Francisco, CA, February 22, 2013)—Today, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that when a same-sex couple has a child together, both parents can be fully recognized as parents under Kansas state law. The court explained that Kansas parentage laws apply equally to women and non-biological parents, and that courts must consider the reality of who a child’s parents are in order to protect the interests of children. The court also ruled that an agreement to co-parent and share custody can be...
(San Francisco, CA, June 1, 2012)—Today, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a decision recognizing important new protections for non-biological mothers who are raising children with a same-sex partner. The Court held that a woman who raises a child with another woman and assumes parental and financial responsibility for the child can be a legal parent under New Mexico law, just as a male parent would be, regardless of whether she is a biological parent. National Center for Lesbian Rights...
(San Francisco, CA, December 7, 2011)—The case was brought by a woman, known as S.Y., who raised two children with her former same-sex partner. The children were legally adopted only by S.Y.’s partner, S.B. S.Y. did not adopt the children, primarily because she was in the military and could have been discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” if the military learned about her family. The Court of Appeal, applying longstanding California law, ruled last week that S.Y. should be recognized as a...
Statement by NCLR Federal Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq. (San Francisco, CA, October 31, 2011)—Today, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, is expected to introduce the “Every Child Deserves a Family Act” (ECDF) in the Senate to help the nation’s 408,000 foster children find permanent and stable homes. The proposed legislation would prohibit states from excluding potential adoptive and foster parents because of their marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. This is...
