Research on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer people and the adoption system in Ontario*
Background
• Little is known about the experiences of LGBTQ people who have adopted children through the adoption system in Ontario.
• In a 1995 Charter challenge, four lesbian couples challenged the heterosexual definition of “spouse” to mean only a man and a woman.
• As a consequence of this Charter challenge, in 2000, the policies guiding adoption in Ontario were revised to allow any two adults to adopt an unrelated child; this was understood to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people.
• The goal of this research was to examine whether this legislative change has translated into increased access to adoption for LGBTQ people.
Who were the researchers?
This project was a research partnership between Dr. Lori Ross at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Rachel Epstein of the LGBTQ Parenting Network, Sherbourne Health Centre, Toronto, Ontario.
How did you get the research results?
This project had two parts:
• Part A: We surveyed 97 public, private and international agencies licensed to handle adoption in Ontario to examine their policies and procedures related to LGBTQ adoption.
• Part B: We interviewed 43 LGBTQ people from across Ontario who had completed, or were in the process of completing, an adoption to understand what the experience of adopting was like for them.
What were the research results?
Results summary:
From its survey of both adoptive and prospective adoptive parents, and agencies, this research has produced several observations with regard to the state of LGBTQ adoption in Ontario.
• Many LGBTQ adoptive and prospective adoptive parents, specifically participants in the study, had positive experiences with the adoption system.
• Many adoption workers have an understanding of how to work with lesbian and gay adoptive parents.
• Some adoption workers recognize the potential strengths of lesbian and gay people as adoptive parents.
• Adoption workers may lack an understanding of bisexual and transgender people and their potential strengths as adoptive parents.
• People in smaller communities are more likely to encounter workers who are unfamiliar with LGBTQ people.
• Many adoption workers hold the belief that LGBTQ people need to provide gender role models for their adopted children.
• Requiring gender role models undermines LGBTQ families.
Research Results
Detailed information on the results of this research is available in a variety or resources.
Resources for LGBTQ people considering adoption
1. Queer Parenting Info Brochure Series: LGBTQ Adoption
• The LGBTQ Adoption Brochure outlines different types of adoption (public, private, international), a guide to the adoption process, issues related to race and culture, and challenges and positive experiences that LGBTQ people may face in the adoption process. Includes list of LGBTQ parenting and adoption resources.
• As part of the Queer Parenting Info Brochure Series, this pamphlet was developed collaboratively by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Sherbourne Health Centre, The 519 Community Centre and Rainbow Health Ontario.
A downloadable PDF of this brochure is available through this link.
2. Talk to an LGBTQ person who has already been through the adoption process
The LGBTQ Parenting Network has a list of LGBTQ people who have adopted and are willing to talk to LGBTQ people who are thinking about adopting. For more information please contact Mariko Tamaki at parentingresources@sherbourne.on.ca.
Resources for Ontario adoption workers
1. LGBTQ Adoption - A Booklet about LGBTQ Adoption for Adoption workers
• A resource for Ontario Adoption workers, this booklet outlines key findings from this research project. The booklet samples personal narratives on the positive/supportive and negative experiences of LGBTQ persons in the adoptive process and provides practical suggestions for Adoption Workers of ways to be supportive of LGBTQ persons engaged in the adoption process. Issues discussed also include: gender role models, myths and stereotypes, bisexuality and ways in which LGBTQ identities were sometimes highlighted as advantageous in the adoption process.
A downloadable PDF of this booklet will soon be available. Search "LGBTQ Adoption" under Resources for more information.
Or to purchase a copy of the booklet, visit www.RainbowHealthOntario.com.
2. Published Articles
More information about the results are also available in three academic publications that were produced as part of this project:
Ross, L.E., Epstein, R., Goldfinger, C., Yager, C. (2008). Lesbian and queer mothers navigating the adoption system: The impacts on mental health. Health Sociology Review, 17, 254-266.
Ross, L.E., Epstein, R., Goldfinger, C., Yager, C. (2009). Policy and Practice regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual and Two-Spirit adoption in Ontario. Canadian Public Policy, 35(4), 451-451.
Ross, L.E., Epstein, R., Anderson, S., Eady, A. (2009). Policy, practice and personal narratives: Experiences of LGBTQ people with adoption in Ontario, Canada. Adoption Quarterly, 12(3/4), 272-293.
3. Workshops about supporting LGBTQ families who want to adopt
To request a workshop on LGBTQ adoption for your agency, classroom or organization, contact parentingnetwork@Sherbourne.on.ca.
* The original title of this project is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual and Two-Spirit Adoption in Ontario: Policy, Practice & Personal Narratives. This project was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
