FAQ about LGBTQ+ Adoption in Florida

By Connor Shelton

You will make many crucial decisions when you choose to give up a baby for adoption. Perhaps the most important decision is deciding who the baby goes to. You have various adoption options to choose from when it comes to parents. Single, married, black, white, Latino, etc. Any number of people from these backgrounds would be appropriate choices to raise your child. Yet one group that is often overlooked during the adoption process is LBGTQ+ persons. This is despite statistics that show same-sex couples to be more likely to adopt than heterosexual couples. Yet so few people consider them viable parents. 

Assuming you are open to the possibility of an LGBTQ+ person raising your child, you might have questions. That’s perfectly acceptable. There’s no shame in wondering what the LBGTQ+ household looks like or whether they have the same rights as heterosexual parents. As one of the premier adoption agencies in Florida, we aren’t going to judge you for not knowing any of this. Instead, we will do our best to provide answers for you. We’ll remove the queries that bounce around in your head as you consider where to place your baby up for adoption.

1. Can same-sex couples adopt in Florida?

Like every other state in the U.S., LGBTQ+ persons in Florida have the right to adoption. Despite recent legislation surrounding LGBTQ youths, queer people still have the same rights to adoption as heterosexual couples. Those rights aren’t likely to change anytime soon.

2. Is it more difficult for LGBTQ+ people to adopt in Florida?

Given the political state of Florida, it’s easy to assume that LGBTQ+ people have to go through more hoops than other people to adopt a child. For many people who identify as queer, it might seem that the adoption process is longer for them. It isn’t (usually). The Florida adoption process is no more difficult for LGBTQ+ people than for others.

When you place a baby up for adoption, it will always be slow for you and the family looking to adopt. That’s because every adoption plan is meticulously crafted to fit your needs. It’s our duty to match your child up with the best possible family out there based on various factors such as income, location, and occupation. You’ll find that none of the factors are related to sexual orientation, and that’s because we believe LGBTQ+ people should have the same rights as every other parent. At Adoption Choices of Florida, try to ensure that LGBTQ+ people have no more trouble than anyone else when choosing to adopt.

3. Can an LBGTQ+ Adoptive Family in Florida Provide a Stable Home for My Baby?

As you’re undoubtedly aware, families looking to adopt must participate in a home study. This procedure is done to ensure that any person or couple wanting to adopt is capable of raising a child. Factors used to evaluate parental readiness include financial stability and family location. As such, it’s clear that any LGBTQ+ adoptive family we match for your child will provide a stable home for them.

4. Shouldn’t my child have a mom and a dad?

It’s often believed that children require an equal amount of masculine and feminine traits growing up. This implies that a mom and dad are necessary to raise a child because they offer a clearer balance of traits. That said, there is no proof that children must have a mom and a dad to develop. Many children are raised by grandparents or aunts and uncles, who are not explicitly mom and dad. These kids usually turn out fine, proving that good parenting is influenced by one’s ability to create a loving and nurturing home. It has nothing to do with sexual orientation. 

5. Can a single person who identifies as LGBTQ+ adopt a child?

As in all other states, single people from the LGBTQ+ community – just like same-sex couples – can adopt a child. There is no law in Florida that prevents them from doing so.

6. What can a child expect in an LGBTQ+ household?

If someone’s looking to adopt, it should be clear that they want to provide the best possible life they can for a child. It’s pretty much the whole reason they choose to adopt. 

Because of this desire, adopted children are bound to be showered in love and affection by their adoptive parent(s). That, along with some valuable life lessons on equality and sympathy, is what a child can expect in an LGBTQ+ household.

7. Will my child identify as LGBTQ+ if raised in an LGBTQ+ household?

Though it’s easy to fall prey to theories that children raised by gay or lesbian parents will become gay, it’s simply not true. There’s no evidence to suggest such a thing. That’s because the environment has little to do with how one comes to identify later in life. LGBTQ+ people understand this, and it’s important you do as well. So should anyone looking to place a baby up for adoption.

8. When I place my baby for adoption, will they be bullied because their parents are LGBTQ+?

Unforananetly, today there is still prejudiced toward LGBTQ+ people. There’s little denying this. Some of the prejudice that is directed at LGBTQ+ people borders on discrimination, and as a result, it’s possible that your child will face teasing and bullying. It’s a sad reality, but don’t let this dissuade you from choosing a same-sex couple to adopt your child. Even if they didn’t have two moms or two dads, there’s still a chance they’d be bullied for something arbitrary. That’s just how kids are. Know that children from LGBTQ+ families, though, are more likely to learn how to stand up for themselves. They’ll understand that the world can be cruel but also be taught how to sew tolerance and understanding. 

9. Is LGBTQ+ Adoption Good for My Child?

If you consider all your Florida adoption options, you’ll find that LGBTQ+ parents are just as beneficial for your baby as other types of parents. This is becoming more evident every day. LGBTQ+ households are safe, financially sustainable, and often home to high levels of education. These factors make them among the best homes to place a child in.

10. How does One Pursue an LGBTQ+ Adoption in Florida?

The most important step in pursuing an LGBTQ+ adoption is to get in touch with us or any number of adoption agencies in Florida. The sooner you do this, the sooner we can place you with an LGBTQ+ family who would be perfect for your child. That’s not all. The earlier you get in touch with us, the more time you have to dedicate to creating your adoption plan. In doing this, you can reflect on who your child might go to, thus ensuring they get the love they need.

If you are a pregnant woman in Florida considering adoption and have any questions or concerns about the adoption process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. For more information on adoption, visit us at Adoption Choices of Florida or call us at: (833) 352-3678 or text us at 904-559-1251