November 2019 News

In the Press this Week: Proposed Rule as it Relates to Gay Couples Hoping to Adopt...

I would like to give the context behind this article about a rule proposed on Nov. 1 that would supposedly "allow adoption and foster care agencies to receive federal grants, even if they choose to reject LGBTQ couples as potential parents for religious reasons". Here's some background:

1. A woman facing an unplanned pregnancy might evaluate her three options and choose adoption. If she does choose adoption, she wants to specify what kind of adoptive parents will raise her child. She might want her baby to go to a Korean couple, or a couple of Jewish or Catholic faith, or a two-career couple, or a couple with a stay-at-home mom, or a college-educated couple. OR, yes, she might also specify a heterosexual, Christian couple. That birthmother makes an adoption plan BECAUSE she believes that the adoptive parents who meet her criteria will give her child the kind of life she wants for her child, but can't give at this time.

2. The issue became heated because adoption agencies arranging adoptive parents for newborns want to be able to honor birthmothers' wishes. It is the birthparents' right to choose the kind of adoptive parents they want to place their baby with.

3. The adoption agency works hard to honor those wishes.

4. The adoption agency exists to find the homes that are acceptable to the birth parents. It does not exist to further (or block) anyone else's agenda.

5. This does not mean gay couples can't adopt. They can. And there are all kinds of adoption agencies! There are agencies that specialize in Jewish placement, Catholic placement, etc. There are also agencies that specialize in LGBT adoption. Here's an example. If you are hoping to adopt, go to the agency that's aligned with what you're seeking. The variety is out there.

The repeal of this Obama law, as proposed this month, takes the handcuffs off of adoption agencies so they can live their faith AND honor birthparents' wishes.

Let's remember that the birthparents are making a brave and noble choice, to place their baby with parents who are ready, willing and able to care for their child. Let's not make it political. Let's honor those birthparents by abiding by their wishes!

A Reference Guide for Families

Here’s a guide to open adoption and how to make it work, from the match period through common post-adoption bumps. It includes tips on how to keep the focus on the child’s best interests.

Phrase of the Day: Open Adoption

Open adoption is a form of adoption in which the biological and adoptive families have each other's contact information and varying degrees of contact with each other, by phone, in person and/or through social media.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fewer than 1% of women facing unplanned pregnancy make an adoption plan?
When they do, it's because an adult in their life encouraged them to consider adoption?
There are over one million U.S. couples waiting now to adopt?

Check out our website at www.UnplannedGood.org/
Comments? Email us, at UnplannedGood@gmail.com
Submit stories, testimonials, questions or comments.
Why are we doing this?
Young women are 50% more likely to make an adoption plan when the trusted adult in their life suggests it to them. Otherwise, most girls don't give it a minute's thought, and choose between abortion or single parenting. That's why we need to get this on the radar of more people.

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"My Mom encouraged me, and that made all the difference!
I needed to know that she'd stand by me through this and support the adoption plan."

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Thank you so much for your continued encouragement & support.

Terri

About Unplanned Good

We promote adoption as a positive option for those facing unplanned pregnancies. It can be so very good (and beautiful!) for all involved.

Unplanned Good is reaching out to both teens and their parents, to let them know that adoption is an option. Studies have shown that girls are 50% more likely to see their pregnancy through and make an adoption plan when an adult suggests this path.

Please visit our site, and encourage others to see it. Read the encouraging, heartfelt stories there. Send in your own story, and ask a friend to do the same.