Washington

According to The Seattle Times, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 19 percent of male couples in Washington are raising children younger than 18. That's about 1,423 families with gay dads.

Feather Boa Fathers is a support group made of gay dads or men who are thinking about it.

In the true spirit of "it takes a village", it's a way, dads say, for their children to get to know others growing up in families like their own. They meet regularly and have experience with adoption, foster care and surrogacy.

Washington's newly passed Domestic Partnership law went into effect July 23, 2007, and couples lined up by the dozens to register their relationships.

The registry offers some legal standing for same-sex and straight couples.

A few months ago, a Washington state family with two moms was living a great life.

But after nearly 18 years together, one was stricken with a brain aneurysm and died. The family says the way they were treated by a Miami hospital compounded their shock and grief.

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.

The Oregon House passed two bills that will allow same-sex couples the same benefits as married couples, and protection against discrimination. Governor Ted Kulongoski plans to sign both.

The first bill would enable same-sex couples to enter into contractual relationships that grant them the same benefits offered to married couples under state law. The bill refers to the relationships as domestic partnerships.

The Washington legislature approves surrogacy as a lawful option for prospective parents.

Gays and lesbians are welcome to benefit from surrogacy too. The Washington Department of Health’s Center for Health Statistics (CHS) reports that surrogate parenting arrangements have been successfully completed by gay couples and singles.

Source: The American Surrogacy Center
Photo: Bill and Kent's Place on the Web