Psychology

What changed when the gay adoption ban was lifted? Perspectives of lesbian and gay parents in Florida

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This exploratory, qualitative study examined the perspectives of 22 lesbian and gay parents (15 female and seven male) who were residents of Florida while the state's gay adoption ban was in effect and who had adopted or were in the process of adopting a child. Participants were interviewed about their experiences before and after the lifting of the gay adoption ban, which occurred in 2010. Participants described numerous negative consequences of the ban, including the inability to adopt foster children and the legal invisibility of one partner's parental status (e.g., among lesbian couples who had become parents via donor insemination). Parents described various positive changes that occurred in their families once the ban was lifted, such as a profound sense of relief for parents and their children, as well as legal recognition of both partners as parents. Our findings highlight the negative consequences of discriminatory legislation on lesbian/gay-parent families, as well as some subsequent positive effects once such legislation is removed. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Publication Title

Sexuality Research and Social Policy

Publication Date

2013

Volume

10

Issue

2

First Page

110

Last Page

124

ISSN

1868-9884

DOI

10.1007/s13178-013-0120-y

Keywords

adoption, discrimination, Florida, gay, laws, lesbian

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS