HRC Launches Survey to Examine Barriers Faced by LGBTQ People Seeking to Foster or Adopt

by HRC Staff

HRC Foundation and Clark University are rolling out a groundbreaking survey of LGBTQ people and families to explore the impact of potential discrimination in the foster care and adoption systems in the U.S.

Post submitted by Liam Miranda, former Senior Research Manager, Public Education & Research

All LGBTQ people over the age of 18 are invited to participate in the survey here.

HRC Foundation and Clark University are rolling out a groundbreaking survey of LGBTQ people and families to explore the impact of potential discrimination in the foster care and adoption systems in the U.S.

The study, co-authored by Clark University’s Dr. Abbie Goldberg, an international expert on LGBTQ adoption, will help advocates understand the barriers faced by prospective LGBTQ adoptive and foster parents -- including laws that sanction discrimination against qualified LGBTQ people seeking to provide homes to children in need. The survey will also examine how the lack of nationwide non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people affects prospective adoptive and foster parents.

All LGBTQ people over the age of 18 are invited to participate in the survey here.

LGBTQ people are increasingly utilizing foster care and adoption to build their families. Data suggests that between six and 14 million children nationwide are living with at least one LGBTQ parent.

Anti-LGBTQ legislation in several states, including South Carolina, Oklahoma and Kansas, could permit adoption and foster care agencies to deny services to qualified LGBTQ parents and families. These discriminatory efforts come at a time when the U.S. is facing a dramatic shortage of adoptive and foster parents.

Make no mistake, these policies don’t just harm LGBTQ families -- they can have a devastating impact on thousands of children and young people in need of a permanent family.

We need all LGBTQ adults over the age of 18 to contribute to this project. Your experiences and insights are invaluable to ensuring equity for all children and families.

You can take the short, anonymous survey here