Adoption Choices of Arizona is an LGBTQ friendly adoption agency. But what does this mean? It means that we have been proudly assisting lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBTQ) individuals and couples since we opened our doors! We do not discriminate based on your sexual preference!

If you are a pregnant woman considering adoption for her child, you may be concerned about finding the perfect adoptive family. At Adoption Choices, our adoption counselors we help every woman we work with to find exactly what she’s looking for in adoptive parents – and for many women, that includes LGBTQ adoptive families. We work with many gay couples looking to adopt, and the process to find a gay couple to adopt a baby goes exactly like the process for finding any other adoptive parents.

Every family that works with us is required to go through a very thorough screening process called a “home study”. In this process they have to do background checks with their names and fingerprints, submit letters of reference and proof of financial security, and they have to meet with a social worker in their home to do an evaluation.

The best match might be a same-sex couple and the birth mother is often excited to make family dreams a reality!

While some may debate the merits of gay parents adopting kids, that’s not a debate we have here at Adoption Choices of Arizona. We have many LGBTQ adoptive families who have provided safe, loving homes for their children, and we’re more than happy to help more gay couples wanting to adopt. In fact, we believe there are many advantages to placing your child in a home with a same-sex couple:

• Children who are raised in LGBT adoptive families may be more likely to be sympathetic and understanding. Children who are raised in gay adoption families will know their family doesn’t necessarily look like a “traditional” family, but the differences will make them stronger individuals overall. These children are more likely to be kind, inclusive and compassionate people.

• Children who are adopted by same-sex couples may be more confident. When you are taught from a young age, as children in LGBTQ adoptive families are, that being different is a source of pride rather than shame, the confidence instilled at a young age will teach children to be resilient, strong and independent.

• LGBTQ adoptive families may be more understanding of mental and health issues. Ideally, fewer and fewer LGBTQ parents would experience prejudice during their own childhoods, but in reality, many of them do. Because of this, some lesbian couples wanting to adopt or gay couples wanting to adopt may be more sensitive of mental health issuessuch as depression. They are more likely to understand the seriousness of these conditions, and may be more responsive if these issues affect their own children.

• Gay couples looking to adopt may make you feel better understood or more connected in terms of facing judgement or discrimination. If you are considering adoption for your child, you may be at a difficult stage in your life. Although you’re making a selfless decision, you may still feel judged or discriminated against because of your choice to consider adoption for your baby. Same-sex couples may understand better than most what it’s like to feel judged, and it may be easier to bond with them because of this. It’s recommended that you form a lifelong relationship with your child’s adoptive parents in an open adoption, so placing your child with a couple you relate to can make that bond that much stronger.

Finding the perfect adoptive family for your child can be a stressful process. It’s important to keep in mind that only you know what’s best for your baby; if you feel that your child’s place is with a gay couple looking to adopt, then that’s exactly the family you should choose. To learn more about LGBTQ adoptive families, please call or text  1-480-900-5520