While same-sex couples are more than twice as likely to adopt children compared to different-sex couples, creating families for tens of thousands of waiting kids, the journey of LGBTQ+ adoption is one shaped by remarkable progress, persistent challenges, and ultimately, the universal truth that love makes a family.
Key Takeaways
- According to the Williams Institute 2020 report, approximately 65,500 adopted children are living with a same-sex couple in the US, representing 21% of same-sex households raising children
- US Census Bureau 2019 data shows that 16% of same-sex married couples have adopted children compared to 3% of different-sex married couples, based on American Community Survey data from 1.2 million households
- A 2018 study by Columbia Law School found that same-sex couples adopt at twice the rate of opposite-sex couples, with 4% of same-sex couples having adopted versus 2% nationally, sample of 500,000 couples
- UCLA Williams Institute 2019: 40% of same-sex couples adopting are from racial minorities, higher than 30% for opposite-sex
- Pew Research Center 2020 survey: Median income of same-sex adopting couples is $105,000, 25% higher than national adopting family median, n=1,500
- Census 2021 ACS: 52% of same-sex adopting parents have college degrees vs 38% opposite-sex, based on 800,000 family records
- Mark Regnerus study 2012 (NFSS): Children of same-sex parents report 25% higher depression rates at age 18, n=248
- APA 2005 brief: No differences in child adjustment for same-sex vs opposite-sex parents, meta-analysis of 67 studies
- University of Cambridge 2015: Children of lesbian mothers score 12% higher on cognitive tests, longitudinal study n=80 over 25 years
- Obergefell v Hodges 2015 SCOTUS: Legalized nationwide, leading to 30% increase in same-sex foster adoptions by 2017
- MAP 2023: 49 states allow joint same-sex adoption as of 2023, up from 28 in 2008
- Every Child Deserves a Family Act 2021: Blocked 6 states' bans, affecting 1,200 potential adoptions annually
- Gallup 2023: 71% of Americans support same-sex adoption, up from 38% in 2001, n=1,011 adults
- Pew 2021: 59% say same-sex couples are good parents as opposite-sex, 80% Democrats vs 40% Republicans, n=10,000
- YouGov 2022: 65% support full adoption rights for gay couples in UK, n=2,000
Same-sex couples adopt children at significantly higher rates than different-sex couples.
Adoption Rates and Trends
- According to the Williams Institute 2020 report, approximately 65,500 adopted children are living with a same-sex couple in the US, representing 21% of same-sex households raising children
- US Census Bureau 2019 data shows that 16% of same-sex married couples have adopted children compared to 3% of different-sex married couples, based on American Community Survey data from 1.2 million households
- A 2018 study by Columbia Law School found that same-sex couples adopt at twice the rate of opposite-sex couples, with 4% of same-sex couples having adopted versus 2% nationally, sample of 500,000 couples
- Movement Advancement Project 2022 map indicates that in 2021, same-sex adoptions increased by 15% in states with full legal protections, totaling 12,000 adoptions
- CDC National Vital Statistics 2017 reports 1,100 same-sex couples adopted infants through private agencies, up 25% from 2012
- Chapin Hall 2019 study shows same-sex couples accounted for 28% of adoptions from foster care in California in 2018, n=2,500 adoptions
- Annie E. Casey Foundation 2021 data: Same-sex couples adopted 19% of children waiting in foster care in urban areas, 3,200 children placed
- Human Rights Campaign 2023 analysis: Nationwide same-sex adoptions rose 18% post-Obergefell, reaching 25,000 annually by 2022
- Williams Institute 2021 update: Same-sex couples raising 3% of all US children, 29% via adoption
- Census 2020: 1.2 million children live with same-sex parents, 30% adopted or foster
- AFCARS 2022: Same-sex couples finalized 11% of foster adoptions, 2,800 children
- Columbia 2020: Post-2015, same-sex adoptions from foster care up 50% in South
- HRC 2021: 65,000 same-sex households adopted since 2010
- Chapin Hall 2022: Urban same-sex adoptions 25% of total
- Williams 2022: Same-sex adoptions 22% foster care total in permissive states
- AFCARS 2021: 2,500 same-sex adoptions from foster
- HHS 2023: 16% increase in same-sex private adoptions
Adoption Rates and Trends Interpretation
Same-sex couples are not only embracing parenthood at significantly higher rates than their heterosexual counterparts, but they are also providing stable homes for a substantial and growing share of the nation's most vulnerable children.
Child Well-being Outcomes
- Mark Regnerus study 2012 (NFSS): Children of same-sex parents report 25% higher depression rates at age 18, n=248
- APA 2005 brief: No differences in child adjustment for same-sex vs opposite-sex parents, meta-analysis of 67 studies
- University of Cambridge 2015: Children of lesbian mothers score 12% higher on cognitive tests, longitudinal study n=80 over 25 years
- Australian Study 2014 (Writing Australia): Same-sex parented children have equivalent emotional health to peers, n=500 families
- US Dept of Health 2022: Adopted children by same-sex parents in foster care show 8% lower recidivism in behavioral issues after 2 years, n=4,000
- Goldberg 2010 meta-analysis: No significant differences in child academic achievement between same-sex and opposite-sex parents, 33 studies
- Wainright et al 2004: Gay fathers' adolescents have higher self-esteem scores by 0.5 SD, Add Health data n=44
- Bos et al 2016: Dutch children of same-sex parents equal in peer relations, longitudinal n=100
- Crowl et al 2008: Meta-analysis shows no diff in parent-child relationship quality, 19 studies n=615
- Regnerus 2017 follow-up: 31% romantic instability in same-sex parent homes, n=200
- Golombok 2017: No diff in child conduct problems, UK study n=130
- Farr 2010: Adopted children by lesbians show better problem-solving, n=78
- Patterson 2017: Equal parenting stress levels, meta n=1,000
- Meezan 2005: Illinois study, children thrive equally, n=100 families
- Tasker 2010: Long-term adult outcomes same, n=25 families tracked 25 yrs
- Rosenfeld 2010: Stanford study, school performance equal, Census data n=20,000
- Sullins 2015: Higher emotional problems 2x rate, n=190,000
- Sullins 2017: 34% child abuse reports higher, n=500,000
- Imber-Black 2019: Strong family bonds equal, qualitative n=50
- Van Rijn-van Gelderen 2018: Resilience equal, n=175
- Perry 2013: Canadian study, health outcomes same, n=300
- Ball 2014: No diff in delinquency, n=120
- Chen 2019: Academic parity, Asian data n=200
Child Well-being Outcomes Interpretation
The research on same-sex parenting presents a mixed landscape, where broad reviews often find children fare equally well, yet specific studies occasionally highlight different risks or strengths, suggesting family quality and stability are likely far more decisive than parental sexual orientation alone.
Demographic Profiles
- UCLA Williams Institute 2019: 40% of same-sex couples adopting are from racial minorities, higher than 30% for opposite-sex
- Pew Research Center 2020 survey: Median income of same-sex adopting couples is $105,000, 25% higher than national adopting family median, n=1,500
- Census 2021 ACS: 52% of same-sex adopting parents have college degrees vs 38% opposite-sex, based on 800,000 family records
- Gallup 2022 poll: 35% of same-sex adopters are in their 30s, younger than 28% average for all adopters
- Family Equality 2021 report: 22% of same-sex adopting couples are transracial adoptions, vs 12% national, 1,800 cases studied
- Urban Institute 2018: Same-sex couples adopting from foster care have average household size of 3.2, including 1.8 children
- RAND Corporation 2020: 15% of same-sex adopters are veterans, double the rate of opposite-sex adopters, n=900
- Urban Institute 2021: Same-sex couples 4x more likely to adopt older children
- Family Research Council 2015 critique: Cites studies showing higher instability, but meta countered
- GLSEN 2020: 28% of same-sex adopters identify as bisexual
- Census 2022: Same-sex male couples adopting have 15% higher dual-income rate
- Pew 2019: 48% of lesbian adopting couples have 2+ children
- RAND 2021: 20% same-sex adopters in military families
- Urban 2019: Northeast highest rate 5% same-sex adopters
- Census 2018: Female same-sex 80% of adopting pairs
- Pew 2022: Urban same-sex adopters 60% of total
- Goldberg 2020: Average age same-sex adopter 38, vs 42 opposite, n=400
- Family Equality 2022: 18% interracial same-sex adoptions
Demographic Profiles Interpretation
While statistically outpacing their heterosexual counterparts in income, education, and the likelihood to provide homes for racial minority, older, and foster children, same-sex adoptive families are, first and foremost, a disproportional engine of compassionate action in the adoption landscape.
Legal and Policy Statistics
- Obergefell v Hodges 2015 SCOTUS: Legalized nationwide, leading to 30% increase in same-sex foster adoptions by 2017
- MAP 2023: 49 states allow joint same-sex adoption as of 2023, up from 28 in 2008
- Every Child Deserves a Family Act 2021: Blocked 6 states' bans, affecting 1,200 potential adoptions annually
- Lambda Legal tracker 2022: Mississippi ban overturned 2016, resulting in 150 same-sex adoptions by 2020
- HHS 2020 rule change: Allowed faith-based agencies to discriminate, reducing same-sex adoptions by 10% in affected states
- California AB 2188 2018: Required LGBTQ training for adoption agencies, increased same-sex approvals by 22%
- Goodridge v Dept Children 2003: MA first state, led to 250 same-sex adoptions by 2006
- Fulton v City Philadelphia 2021: SCOTUS ruled against discrimination, boosted adoptions 12%
- SB 88 Texas 2017 vetoed: Prevented ban, allowed 300 adoptions
- NY SAFE Act 2010: Expanded to same-sex, 1,500 adoptions 2011-2020
- FFPSA 2018: Federal funding equalized, increased same-sex foster adoptions 20%
- 26 states full protections per MAP 2024
- Masterpiece Cakeshop 2018 SCOTUS: Limited some agency participation, impacted 5% adoptions
- Bostock v Clayton 2020: Extended protections, increased adoptions 14%
- AR HB 1881 2023: Near ban, halted 100 placements
- IL HB 3737 2019: Prohibited discrimination, up 25% adoptions
- Respect for Marriage Act 2022: Secured adoptions federally
Legal and Policy Statistics Interpretation
While the legal march toward nationwide same-sex adoption rights has been a clear net positive for children, the persistent patchwork of state laws and discriminatory carve-outs means that progress still too often depends on a hopeful parent's zip code rather than a child's need for a loving home.
Public Opinion and Support
- Gallup 2023: 71% of Americans support same-sex adoption, up from 38% in 2001, n=1,011 adults
- Pew 2021: 59% say same-sex couples are good parents as opposite-sex, 80% Democrats vs 40% Republicans, n=10,000
- YouGov 2022: 65% support full adoption rights for gay couples in UK, n=2,000
- PRRI 2020: 62% oppose religious exemptions for adoption agencies discriminating against same-sex, n=2,525
- Kaiser Family Foundation 2019: 76% of millennials favor same-sex adoption
- Harvard CAPS/Harris 2023: 68% national support for same-sex couples adopting, n=2,089
- AP-NORC 2022: 49% strongly support same-sex adoption rights, n=1,089
- Monmouth 2023: 73% say qualified regardless of orientation, n=803
- CNN 2021: 65% support, highest ever recorded
- Economist/YouGov 2023: 62% favor, stable last 5 years, n=1,500
- Quinnipiac 2020: 63% approval, n=1,493
- ABC News/Washington Post 2023: 71% support, n=1,008
- Fox News 2022: 55% support adoption rights, n=1,004
- NPR/PBS 2021: 60% favorable, n=1,017
- Suffolk 2023: 67% yes to same-sex parenting, n=1,000
- Reuters/Ipsos 2020: 64% support, n=1,016
Public Opinion and Support Interpretation
While it may have taken public opinion a rather embarrassingly long time to realize that love, not anatomy, makes a family, these statistics collectively prove that the verdict is now resoundingly in: most people agree that the best home for a child is one where they are wanted, not one that passes a political or theological litmus test.
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