Washington- The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, is proud to recognize the contributions of LGBT adoptive parents during National Adoption Month, a month set aside each year to raise awareness about the opportunities to adopt children and youth from foster care, and to celebrate adoptive families across the country. LGBT parents continue to play an important role in creating safe and welcoming homes for all children and youth in need a permanent family.

"Like many people, LGBT individuals and couples want to provide a stable, loving home for children in foster care," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "The LGBT community has largely been an untapped resource of qualified, highly motivated parents who can offer welcoming, supportive families to the thousands of children and youth who are waiting, and who deserve to have a 'forever family.'"

Below are notable facts about the breadth of adoption by LGBT families, and the challenges that these families still face:

All Children All Families

The Department of Health and Human Services recognizes the unique challenges that LGBT people experience during the adoption and foster care process, and offers links on their website to the resources offered by HRC and other agencies for these families and the agencies that work with them.

HRC has launched a National Adoption Month website that offers resources and events. More on National Adoption Month is available at http://www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/nam/

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.