open adoption

My parnter and I adopted our son in 2007. Can I just say that we absolutely LOVE being parents! In fact, we love it so much that we plan to adopt again. However, this time we are planning to do things a bit differently.

We made the decision to adopt in April 2006 after considering surrogacy as an option, too. We decided that having children was more important to us than having children that looked like us.

Andrew Meets his Birth-Mother

As promised, I sent Jennifer (birth-mother) pictures each month of Andrew. I've called her numerous times but she never responded. Finally one day I received a phone call. It was Jennifer. She called to thank me for the pictures and said he has really grown. I said, "I'm so happy that you called us." I asked if she would like to meet Andrew she said yes. We set up a time to pick her up for Saturday April 16th 2008 at 12 noon.

Ross and J. are using the Internet to pursue open adoption. They're already busy with Connor, their little boy - born in 2005 - and the dads think he'll be a "great big brother".

The couple believes strongly in open adoptions. Each open adoption is different - and based on the type of relationship that the birth parents and the adoptive parents have agreed to.

We interviewed Ross and J. to learn about their experience with this type of adoption - and gained insight into their pioneering method of finding open adoption online.

He made Oregon State a national contender that reached the College World Series. And now Kirk Walker is believed to be the only openly gay coach in NCAA Division I athletics.

Walker became a dad in 2006 after completing an open adoption he pursued with his long-time partner. In an interview with ESPN, Walker said it took about 6 months to complete the necessary paperwork and enter the adoption pool, just the first step in the long adoption process.

Open Adoption & Family Services is the premier Northwest adoption agency in the U.S., with over 20 years experience facilitating child-centered open adoptions. The agency completes the most domestic infant and newborn adoptions in Oregon and Washington, and welcomes gay and lesbian adoptive parents into its adoption program.

All U.S. states require prosective parents undergo home study. This process evaluates desire and commitment to adopt. Home study also explores reasons for adopting and provides education about adopting. The result is an evaluation for prospective parents.

Home study begins after application to adopt a child has been established (whether through an agency, an attorney/facilitator, or directly to the court in an open/independent adoption).

Open adoption (or independent adoption without an agency) is a good choice for prospective gay and lesbian parents. By eliminating interaction with an agency, you avoid the barriers some create - such as restrictions based on marital status or sexual orientation. You are responsible for finding a birth parent, a social worker, and a judge; and the typical cost begins at $9,000 but can exceed $35,000.