Same-sex adoption

Same-sex adoption is when children or adults are adopted by couples who are in a relationship with someone of the same sex. This can happen in two ways: both partners in the couple adopt together, or one partner adopts the child of their partner.

Right now, 39 countries allow couples who are in a same-sex relationship to adopt together. Most of these countries also allow same-sex marriage, but a few do not. In the United States, most children adopted by male couples are boys, and most children adopted by female couples are girls.

In Mexico, adoption laws can vary a lot between different states. Some states allow same-sex couples to adopt, while others do not, even though a top court has said they should.

Research shows that children raised by same-sex parents are just as healthy and happy as children raised by parents in opposite-sex relationships. However, same-sex parents sometimes face extra challenges, like pressure to follow traditional ideas about gender roles.

LGBTQ parenting

Main article: LGBTQ parenting

Prevalence of adoption

We don't have consistent numbers about how many children are adopted by same-sex couples in countries where it's allowed.

In 2022, in England, 1 out of every 6 adoptions were done by same-sex couples. This was a rise of 17.4% from the year before.

In the United States, as of 2024, about 18% of all LGBTQ people (around 2.57 million adults) have children living at home. About 14% of same-sex couples (around 167,000) have a child living with them. About 21% of same-sex couples adopt children, which is much higher than different-sex couples (3%).

Quality of life outcomes

Some people worry that children adopted by same-sex couples might not do as well. But research shows that children with same-sex parents do just as well as children with different-sex parents.

Studies from different years have looked at this. In 2004, a study found that the type of parents did not change how well the family worked together, how the child behaved, or how much help the parents felt they got from others.

In 2010, another study looked at young children placed with lesbian or gay parents since they were babies. The study found no big differences between these children and others in how well they adjusted.

A 2009 study of over 1,000 children with either heterosexual or same-sex parents found that problems in children’s behavior were not linked to whether their parents were same-sex or different-sex. The study also said that parents face similar challenges no matter what.

A 2016 study found that children with same-sex parents often feel more accepting, understanding, and compassionate. However, many of these children said they sometimes keep their parents' background a secret because they experience teasing or bullying.

Debate

Arguments

When people talk about families where both parents are the same gender, there are different opinions. In places like the United States, some people tried to stop such families from adopting children, but most of these efforts did not succeed. Before 1973, many courts did not allow people who were gay or lesbian to be parents through adoption.

Big groups of experts, like the American Psychological Association and the American Medical Association, support families where both parents are the same gender. They say that all children deserve to have a family and that the gender of the parents does not change how well a child grows up.

Some reasons why people support families where both parents are the same gender include:

• Every child deserves to have a family and caregivers.
• Every person, whether a child or a parent, has the right to a family life.
• Children raised by same-gender parents grow up very similarly to children raised by parents of different genders.
• Research shows that same-gender parents can give children a loving and safe home.
• Adoption can be better for children than staying in an orphanage.
• It can also make daily life easier for step-parents and protect children if a parent passes away.

Public opinion

Legal status

Joint adoption by same-sex couples is allowed in 39 countries, with Mexico allowing it in some states.

Africa

South Africa

South Africa is the only country in Africa where same-sex couples can jointly adopt children. Laws were updated to allow this, and same-sex marriage has been legal since 2006.

Americas

Argentina

Argentina allows adoption by couples in same-sex marriages, different-sex marriages, and even single people. The rules are the same for everyone.

Canada

Canada does not have one nationwide law for same-sex adoption. Instead, laws in each province allow it. It started in British Columbia in 1996 and finished in Nunavut in 2011.

Chile

Since March 2022, same-sex couples in Chile can jointly adopt children. This change came with a new law that ensures equal rights for all parents, no matter their gender or relationship.

Colombia

In November 2015, Colombia decided that people in same-sex relationships can adopt. This happened before same-sex marriage became legal in April 2016.

Cuba

Cuba allows adoption by people in same-sex marriages and different-sex marriages, as well as by single people.

Mexico

Same-sex couples can adopt in many parts of Mexico, including Mexico City, Coahuila, Campeche, and others. In Mexico City, a law allowing same-sex couples to adopt was passed in 2009 and took effect in 2010.

United States

Main article: LGBTQ adoption in the United States

In 1979, a couple became the first same-sex couple in America to adopt a child. Now, adoption by people in same-sex relationships or couples is legal in all 50 states.

Uruguay

Uruguay passed a law in 2009 allowing people in same-sex relationships to adopt. The law was signed by the President in October 2009.

Asia

LGBTQ rights for adoption in Asia are limited, except in Israel, Thailand, and Taiwan. Some countries allow individual LGBTQ people to adopt, but same-sex couples often face restrictions.

Taiwan

Until 2023, same-sex couples in Taiwan could only adopt the biological child of one partner. Now, laws have changed to allow more adoption options.

Europe

Main article: LGBTQ adoption in Europe

In February 2006, a court in France ruled that both partners in a same-sex relationship can have parental rights over one partner's biological child. Later, in 2013, France allowed same-sex couples to marry and adopt.

In 2006, Iceland passed a law allowing same-sex couples to adopt on the same basis as different-sex couples.

In 2015, Ireland updated its laws to allow cohabiting couples and those in civil partnerships to adopt.

In 2016, Portugal allowed same-sex couples to adopt after overcoming a presidential veto.

In June 2016, Italy's highest court approved a decision allowing a person in a same-sex relationship to adopt their partner's child.

Estonia and Greece, starting in 2024, now allow full joint adoption by same-sex couples, along with same-sex marriage.

Oceania

Australia

Same-sex adoption is legal throughout Australia since April 2018.

New Zealand

Since August 2013, same-sex couples who are married can jointly adopt children. Before that, only individuals could adopt, not couples. Laws were updated to remove barriers for LGBTQ individuals adopting, though some restrictions remain for males adopting female children.

Summary of laws by jurisdiction