It has always been legal for gay couples to adopt, provided that the adoption is in the best interests of the child. Prior to the 1980's gay people had to hide their orientation during the adoption process. In recent years, as discrimination against gay couples has subsided, adoption by these couples has more often served the child's best interests.
Yes, joint adoption by same sex couples is explicitly legal in 22 U.S. states plus Washington DC as of 2014:
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Maine
Maryland
Minnesota
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
Oregon
Vermont
Washington
New Mexico
New York
Rhode Island
Gay people are allowed to adopt in every U.S. state except Utah. There is no longer a restriction on single gay people adoption. Furthermore, as of 2014, 25 states allow joint adoption by gay couples.
Gay parenting is not prevalent on any continent. The United states has the most gay couples with children (as of 2017, about 20% of gay couples are raising children). In South America, the numbers are much lower.
Beginning in 2009, Finland permits only "stepchild" adoptions by same-sex couples. This means that the biological child of one partner may be adopted by the other partner.
It is easier to adopt a child in the US.
One can adopt a child from Africa by going to Americans for African Adoptions incorporated. One just has to apply for the cause and one is able to adopt a child from Africa.
Gay male couples usually adopt, but surrogacy is available in many areas.
Numbers aren't tracked for this statistic, but about 15% of gay couples adopt children.
Yes. Same-sex couples may adopt children in Maine. Also, a same-sex partner may adopt the other's child. Single gay persons may also adopt children.
Yes. Same-sex couples are permitted to jointly adopt children in Nevada. Also, a same-sex partner may adopt the other's child. Single gay persons are also permitted to adopt.
A same-sex partner may adopt the other's child. There is no explicit prohibition of same-sex couples jointly adopting children. Also, single gay persons are permitted to adopt.
Yes, same-sex couples are permitted to jointly adopt children in Illinois. Also, a same-sex partner may adopt the other's child. Single gay persons are also permitted to adopt children.
Yes. Same-sex couples may jointly adopt children in Iowa. A same-sex spouse may adopt the other's child. Single gay persons may also adopt children in Iowa.
Yes. Same-sex couples may jointly adopt in Oregon. Also, a same-sex partner may adopt the other partner's child and single gay persons are permitted to adopt children as well.
Yes. Same-sex couples can jointly adopt children in Vermont. Also, one spouse may adopt the other spouse's natural child. Single gay persons are also able to adopt children.
Single people adopt more than gay couples, but only because there are many more single people in the world than there are gay couples.
Yes. Same-sex couples may jointly adopt children in Indiana. Also, a same-sex partner may adopt the other's child. Single gay persons may also adopt children in Indiana.
Yes. Same-sex couples may jointly adopt children in Massachusetts. Also, a same-sex spouse may adopt the other spouse's child. Single gay persons may also adopt children.