Adoption
- This Is Lincolnshire gives an overview of adoption by same-sex couples in the U.K. Apparently, there has been a 50 per cent increase in adoption by same-sex couples during the last six years, and they adopt 1 in 20 adoptive children. (Joint adoption by same-sex couples only became legal six years ago, however, so one might expect a quick ramp up.) Also check out one of the organizations referenced in the article, New Family Social, a U.K. charity for LGBT adopters, foster carers, and their children. A great resource if you’re in the U.K.
- Three Illinois Catholic Charities agencies are suing the state for an exemption from the state law that requires them, as recipients of state funds, to license qualified unmarried couples and same-sex couples in civil unions for adoption or foster care. And the Catholic Charities agencies in two dioceses have recently halted all licensing of new adoptive or foster parents because of objections to the law.
- A Louisiana House committee rejected a  bill that would have allowed two unmarried, same-sex adults to adopt a child together.
- On a happier note, the Michigan adoption agency Hands Across The Water became the first agency in the state to earn HRC’s All Children—All Families seal of recognition, “by meeting the required criteria for fully inclusive policies and practices in working with the LGBT community.”
- And Tampa Bay Online reports on the gay and lesbian parents who have adopted since the state’s ban was overturned.
Nonbiological-Parent Recognition
- South Australia passed a bill that will recognize non-biological parents on birth certificates of children born to same-sex couples, making it the final state in Australia to do so.
- Lambda Legal has a list of Frequently Asked Questions for same-sex couples married in other jurisdictions who want the non-biological mother to be named as a parent on the birth certificate of her child born in Maryland.
Other
- The first same-sex couple to get a civil union license in Cook County, Illinois were Janean Watkins and Lakeesha Harris. The Chicago Tribune reports, “The couple has six children who will all be in attendance at a formal civil union ceremony tomorrow.”
- The Salt Lake Tribune profiles Cara Cerise, the daughter of a gay dad, who has just been named the 2011 Utah Young Humanitarian by a panel of community leaders.
- Southern California Public Radio looks at issues of sperm donor anonymity.
- Lee Wind alerts us to the publication of Operation Marriage, a children’s picture book about the Proposition 8 battle for marriage equality in California. (Disclosure: the book is being published by social justice company Reach & Teach, which, without solicitation by me, has bought advertising at Mombian.)