LGBTQ individuals' experiences with delays and disruptions in the foster and adoption process

Purpose: This mixed-methods study reports findings from 337 LGBTQ adults in the United States who reported delays or disruptions in the adoption or foster care process. Methods: An online survey was distributed by Clark University and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a large LGBTQ organization, with the goal of understanding LGBTQ individuals' experiences with adoption and foster care. Results: Respondents highlighted LGBTQ specific and general barriers, at multiple levels (legal, adoption agency, birth/foster family, child) that interfered with (a) timely progression through the adoption/foster care process and (b) permanency planning. Conclusion: Adoption practitioners need training in the explicit and implicit ways that LGBTQ prospective adopters may be exposed to marginalization and stress in the adoption/foster care process, and legislation preventing the discrimination of LGBTQ prospective parents is needed.