Where Have LGBT Adoptions Been Permitted Under Law?
Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have granted adoptions (either individual/single, joint or second parent) to LGB individuals as well as same-sex couples. No state laws address adoption by transgender individuals or families. It should be noted, however, that in some of these states they have been granted in certain counties only. They are:
- Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.
(Note: In a number of other states, there are no court records but there is anecdotal evidence that adoptions have been granted to same-sex parents.)
- View map outlining these parenting laws [PDF]
- Browse our state law listings for adoption laws affecting LGBT parents
