Research: Adoptive children of lesbian and gay couples developing well

According to the results of a new University of Virginia study, adoptive children living in different parts of the US are developing well regardless of whether they are living with lesbian, gay or heterosexual parenting couples. The research finds that whether or not adoptive children develop in positive ways is unrelated to the sexual orientation of their adoptive parents. The finding appears in the August issue of the journal Applied Developmental Science.

“We found that children adopted by lesbian and gay couples are thriving,” said U.Va. psychology professor Charlotte J. Patterson, who led the study. “Our results provide no justification for denying lesbian or gay prospective adoptive parents the opportunity to adopt children. With thousands of children in need of permanent homes in the United States alone, our findings suggest that outreach to lesbian and gay prospective adoptive parents might benefit children who are in need.”

Same-sex couples are prohibited by law from adopting children in Florida, Mississippi and Utah. Joint adoptions by same-sex couples are permitted in many states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Vermont.