“I’ve got a strawberry yoghurt”

Same Sex Adoption & Adoptive families in the UK

UK’s Route to Same Sex Adoption

• Adoption and Children Act (England & Wales) 2002• First time same sex couples allowed to adopt together• Legislation enacted 2005

• Civil Partnership Act 2005• Enables same sex couples to enter into Civil Partnership

• Children Adopted by Same Sex Couples (UK)

2010: 1202012: 160 (4% total adoptions)2013: 230 (6% total adoptions)

Our Adoption Story begins…

• 2007• Attend information evening run by

local authority adoption team

• 2008• Adoption Process

• 2009• June – Approved as adopters by Local

Authority Panel• November – Matched with Matthew• December – Match Approved

• 2010• January – Matthew placed• June – Leave to Adopt granted• September – Courts grant Adoption

Order

• 2011• September – Apply for Approval for 2nd

Child

• 2012• February – Approved as adopters for

further child(ren) by Local Authority Panel

• May – Matched with Megan• June – Match Approved• October – Leave to Adopt granted• December – Court grants Adoption

Order

The journey to Number 2

• Accommodating same sex adopters• Paperwork• Perception• LGBT Adoption Week

• Media Portrayal• Sexual Orientation Regulations

2008• Equalities Act 2010• Catholic Adoption Agency’s

appeal rejected 2012• Northern Irish Minister of Health

appeal rejected 2013

• Our own experience• Supportive support &

Disappearances• Families come in all shapes &

sizes• “We just can’t decide”

You know, we just can’t decide..

• Why adopt?• Sense of family• Altruism?

• Encouragement• Specific circumstances• Ticking the box

• A particular kind of love• The past• Boundaries

• A resource to be used• A large community• Untapped talents & possibilities

Were we selfish?

Strawberry yoghurts

At Lunchtime

Child 1: “Is it true you’ve got two Dads?”

Adopted Child: “Yes, I’m adopted and I have two Dads”

Child 2: “Cool. I’ve got a strawberry yoghurt.”

Thank you

Thank you for listening

References:

British Association for Adoption and Fosteringwww.baaf.org.uk

Centre for Family Research – University of Cambridgehttp://www.cfr.cam.ac.uk

- Gay Lesbian & Heterosexual Adoptive FamiliesLaura Mellish, Sarah Jennings, Fiona Tasker, Michael Lamb & Susan GolombokPublished by BAAF

New Family Social (UK LGBT Adoption & Fostering Support Charity)www.newfamilysocial.org.uk