Gay Foster Care and Adoption: Getting the Word Out

Jayne Rowse, left, and April DeBoer, right, pose with their adopted children Jacob, 5, from left, Nolan, 6, Ryanne, 6, and Rylee, 2, at their home in Hazel Park, Mich., Sunday, April 12, 2015. DeBoer and Rowse initially went to court to win the right to jointly adopt each other’s children, not to confront Michigan’s ban on gay marriage. But three years later, the Detroit-area nurses sometimes can’t buy groceries without supporters recognizing them and giving a hug. Each woman has adopted two kids, but they can’t jointly adopt them because joint adoption in Michigan is tied to marriage.
Jayne Rowse, left, and April DeBoer, right, pose with their adopted children Jacob, 5, from left, Nolan, 6, Ryanne, 6, and Rylee, 2, at their home in Hazel Park, Mich., Sunday, April 12, 2015. DeBoer and Rowse initially went to court to win the right to jointly adopt each other’s children, not to confront Michigan’s ban on gay marriage. But three years later, the Detroit-area nurses sometimes can’t buy groceries without supporters recognizing them and giving a hug. Each woman has adopted two kids, but they can’t jointly adopt them because joint adoption in Michigan is tied to marriage. Paul Sancya / AP
Jayne Rowse, left, and April DeBoer, right, pose with their adopted children Jacob, 5, from left, Nolan, 6, Ryanne, 6, and Rylee, 2, at their home in Hazel Park, Mich., Sunday, April 12, 2015. DeBoer and Rowse initially went to court to win the right to jointly adopt each other’s children, not to confront Michigan’s ban on gay marriage. But three years later, the Detroit-area nurses sometimes can’t buy groceries without supporters recognizing them and giving a hug. Each woman has adopted two kids, but they can’t jointly adopt them because joint adoption in Michigan is tied to marriage.
Jayne Rowse, left, and April DeBoer, right, pose with their adopted children Jacob, 5, from left, Nolan, 6, Ryanne, 6, and Rylee, 2, at their home in Hazel Park, Mich., Sunday, April 12, 2015. DeBoer and Rowse initially went to court to win the right to jointly adopt each other’s children, not to confront Michigan’s ban on gay marriage. But three years later, the Detroit-area nurses sometimes can’t buy groceries without supporters recognizing them and giving a hug. Each woman has adopted two kids, but they can’t jointly adopt them because joint adoption in Michigan is tied to marriage. Paul Sancya / AP

Gay Foster Care and Adoption: Getting the Word Out

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Despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, some states still prevent same-sex married couples from adopting a child or becoming foster parents. Aside from that though, many LGBTQ adults are not fully aware of opportunities that do exist. One the other side of the coin are LGBTQ wards of the state who are hard to place. 

Here in Illinois there are efforts to address both issues. The non-profit Pride Action Tank has partnered with 10 agencies to help LGBTQ youth with placement in foster homes, while at the same time encouraging LGBTQ adults to become foster or adoptive parents. 

Morning Shift talks with Tracy Baim, founder of Pride Action Tank and Renee Lehocky of the Chicago group home Lawrence Hall about the ongoing efforts.