Essay Sample on Adoption in the LGBT Community

Introduction

The right of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) couples to adopt children has been a controversial issue in the history of the U.S. (Moreau, 2018). Such couples are denied rights to espouse children of their choice in society. Religion and legal matters have become the stumbling block as they complicate the issue. The LGBT Community has faced many challenges in the adoption of the children, but recent changes have allowed them to adopt because they have a right to do so and children need a stable family and a place called home.

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Children in the foster care wait to join permanent homes either through reuniting with birth family or adoption. Some of them are infants within the age bracket of one day to seventeen years. Many families including LGBT couples are willing to provide a home and care for such children. However, the LGBT community faces discrimination in various states due to the lifestyle they have chosen to embrace (Mezey, N2015). Some of the state laws complicate both fostering and adoption of children which is a violation of an individual's rights.

There have been cases of manipulation and twisting of laws by partisanship that uses authority vested in them deliberately to make it difficult for couples of the same sex to foster or adopt kids. In some states, specific criteria are included in the law to prevent LGBT couples from enjoying the same equal rights as those granted to heterosexuals on matters of children adoption (Moreau, 2018). The rules tend to vary among the states. What may be legally accepted in one region may not be allowed in another, and this complicates legal ties between same-sex couples. Currently, states such as Michigan, Florida, Alabama, and Texas demonstrate extreme discrimination against the LGTB community by creating laws that prevent gays from adopting children (Beitsch, 2015). The government applies primary forms of blackmail against agencies that get funds from the government to decline services to couples of the same sex. Such state agencies include state-funded adoption agencies, public housing, businesses, education, medical clinics and even hospitals that play a critical role in saving the lives of the people regardless of their sexual orientation. However, those opposing Michigan law claimed that such a move gives religious organizations an opportunity to discriminate against individuals and groups that conflict with their faith. While groups affiliated to religion argues that couples of the same sex cause harm to the children, the findings of other researches are opposite. Peer-reviewed studies were undertaken at the Columbia University in 2015 concerning the well-being of kids fostered or adopted by gay couples. Out of 77 studies conducted, only four showed a negative impact on children with gay parents (Beitsch, 2015.

Churches are urged by state representatives to continue upholding their beliefs and practices based on their teachings and principles on matters of sexual orientation (Fredman, 2018). They should not discriminate against some individuals and groups such as interracial couples, women who sire children out of wedlock, divorce couples, couples living together without having a wedding as well as other acts considered sinful and conflicts their faith. Groups affiliated to religion use the pretext of the well-being of children and unhealthy sociological impact as a result of having same-sex parents (Beitsch, 2015). People that play a role of deciding whether LGBT couples reside in a particular neighborhood or adopt a child can object it without showing bias based on sex.

In Philadelphia, two faith-based agencies were against kids' adoption by LGBT parents. The legal question was whether the agencies acted in contravention of Human Services Department ethics or fighting for religious freedom rights (Fredman, 2018). The contract for the agencies was held, and they faced a risk of not getting funding because of denying LGBT couples their rights to adopt children. Both agencies were fighting for their beliefs as they hold that parents of the opposite sex should sire and take care of the children. According to them, accepting such a thing to happen would set a bad example in society rather than showing people the right way. According to the arguments presented parents of the same sex would harm the children especially on the part of upbringing that requires a collective responsibility of both mother and father. When the matter was taken to court, the two parties claimed that the other one was infringing their right. According to the Human Services department, agencies were violating the law by discriminating against groups and individuals based on sex (Fredman, 2018). On the other hand, the faith-based agency felt that the other party was violating religious freedom, but finally, the Human Services Department won the case.

The LGBT community has made a significant achievement as most of the states have legalized their marital unions. Unions of these communities are like other unions where love and care of kids are desired. LGBT community has a right to adopt children of their choice and bring them up like other families (Brodzinsky & Pertman, 2012). It is the right of every child to grow in a family that embraces love and care. It means that same-sex couples can enjoy the right of adopting a child and provide the necessary love and support. Research shows that children brought up by LGBT parents do not show any difference with those raised by parents of the opposite sex (Mezey, N2015). Thus, a parent's sexual orientation does not influence the upbringing of the child. Children adoption is better than being under foster care facilities where they have traumatic experiences. It is flexible when a child is adopted in the LGBT community since only of the parents may have interest in adopting a child contrary to straight marriages because both parents have to agree and make the final decision. Some studies reveal that gays and lesbians exhibit excellent parenting by providing suitable conditions for raising adopted children (Mezey, N2015).

Before the legalization of adoption, there was no much preparation done. Children lived in the foster care system (George, 2014). The facilities provided a good environment for raising kids. The situation was not evaluated based on the sex of their parents. It was based on the safety and well-being of the children. Foster parents show love and kindness, and this provides a good environment for nurturing and instilling confidence to children. Children do not even know about LGBT. All they need is a family and a place they can call home. The law should not forbid same-sex couples from adopting children as long as they show love and provide the necessary care to kids. Neglected children and orphans also deserve a caring and loving family (Moreau, 2018). A law should be enacted to provide clear procedures to be followed by those who want to adopt children including the LGBT community. It can prevent discrimination against LGBT in adopting children. It will also allow children in foster care or without parents to be reunited with a family which is crucial in the growth and development of a child.

References

Fredman, G. (2018). Religious liberty and LGBT rights: Solutions elusive in adoption conflict, Deseret News. https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900025944/with-child-welfare-dragged-into-the-culture-war-over-lgbt-and-religious-rights-is-compromise-possible.html

George, V. (2014). Foster Care: Theory & Practice (ILS 130). Routledge.Beitsch, R. (2015, August 19). Despite Same-Sex Marriage Ruling, Gay Adoption Rights Uncertain in Some States. https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2015/08/19/despite-same-sex-marriage-ruling-gay-adoption-rights-uncertain-in-some-states

Moreau, J. (2018). Religious Adoption Agency Can't Exclude Gay Parents, Judge Rules.

https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/religious-adoption-agency-can-t-exclude-gay-parents-judge-rules-n892796

Brodzinsky, D., & Pertman, A. (2012). Adoption by lesbians and gay men: A new dimension in family diversity. New York: Oxford University Press.

Mezey, N. J. (2015). LGBT families. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.