Up until recently, it was hard for LGBT couples or individuals to adopt in the United States. The biggest reason for this had nothing to do with being LGBT. It had to do with the fact that most adoption decisions were based on someone’s marital status.
This means that, until Texas legalized same-sex marriage in 2015, LGBT couples in Texas couldn’t adopt as a couple. Sure, there were ways around this. You could get married in another state, adopt a child and then move to Texas. But even this situation was flawed.
For a lot of couples, international adoption seemed to be the way to go. Over the last few years, however, many countries have put restrictions on who they’ll approve for international adoptions. You can imagine that many of these countries included LGBT couples in their list of people they didn’t want to give children to.
The idea that anyone would deny someone an adoption based on their sexual orientation is ludicrous. There are so many babies and children out there who need a loving home. Who cares whether that home is with a heterosexual or LGBT couple?
Apparently, lots of countries do care. This is why there are challenges facing LGBT couples looking to complete an international adoption these days. If you’re thinking about adopting a child, you should really consult an experienced LGBT adoption attorney in Houston, Texas.
Why Should You Consider an International Adoption?
Lots of LGBT couples look to an international adoption to make their family complete. There are lots of reasons for this. Some are just personal preference. Other people simply get tired of being discriminated against by domestic adoption agencies.
If you want to adopt a child because you know how many kids need a good home, international adoption makes sense. There are tons of orphanages abroad where kids live in terrible conditions. You may want to rescue one of these children and give them the kind of life they deserve.
Or, you may want to experience another culture. Some couples love the idea of embracing a child from a different culture. This gives you an opportunity to teach your child about both their heritage and your own culture.
Regardless of the reason, international adoption may be a solution for starting your family. You just have to be mindful of the limitations for LGBT couples looking to adopt a foreign baby.
Your Houston LGBT Adoption Attorney Understands Why International Adoptions are so Complicated
Adopting a baby from another country can be difficult. It’s not like a domestic adoption. With a domestic adoption, you only have to worry about the laws in your home state. When it comes to an international adoption, you’re subjected to many laws, including:
- The adoption laws of the United States
- Your home state’s adoption laws
- The laws of the other country
- The Hague Convention, if the country subscribed to it
This means you may have to jump through 3 or 4 sets of hoops instead of one. As a LGBT couple, you have to understand how difficult this may be. You’ll be scrutinized at every single level of approval. This may not be fair, but is the truth.
All of these laws can also be different. This means that, even after you’ve completed your adoption, you may have to do the process all over again in Texas. Since some countries don’t recognize same-sex marriages, you may have to decide which one of you will do the international adoption. You’ll then have to complete the re-adoption process in the U.S.
Work with an International Adoption Agency
Because the process can be so complicated, it’s a good idea to work with an international adoption agency. They can coordinate with your LGBT adoption lawyer in Houston to help complete your adoption.
These agencies know which countries are more likely to approve an adoption for a LGBT applicant. They also have relationships with people in other countries. They can open up an entirely new world of adoption opportunities for you and your spouse.
Contact a LGBT Adoption Attorney in Houston
If you’re thinking about adopting a child, you should contact a LGBT adoption attorney in Houston, Texas. It can take months or even years to complete the international adoption process. You’ll want to get started as soon as possible.
Your Houston LGBT adoption attorney at Eddington & Worley can protect your rights throughout the adoption process. They can work hand in hand with the international adoption agency to maximize your chances of getting a child.