Decided to get a copy of "The Pink Guide to Adoptions...for lesbians and gay men" as the BAAF recommend it. For those who haven't read it, the book is split in to two sections: the first about the process and some of the things to be aware of; the second a collection of case studies and real-life stories from people who have been through the process.
It's not a blockbuster but, on the whole, it's an interesting read. There's a lot of stuff in there about standing up for who you are, making sure they (social services) know that you're no different to anyone else etc., etc. and I'm not much for the militant angle. Sure there's going to be prejudice, we live with it every day at work and in our personal lives. There's no reason to expect the adoption process to be any different. The overriding message coming from the case studies is, simply, be yourself. It's the personality, not the sexuality, that people are interested in. It's much easier to win people over with the former than the latter...unless you're in a Soho bar when it's normally the other way around!
Overall I've enjoyed reading the book and some of the stats are scary and exciting at the same time. Only 80 odd gay adoptions in the UK last year, among 5,000 or so in total. That ticks both boxes.
Still waiting to hear from the LA about the next step...keep watching the mailbox...but not surprised that it's slow in coming. Patience...patience...
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