700,000 signatures reached
To: Governor Laura Kelly
Allow Same-Sex Couples to Adopt within the 'Every Child Deserves a Family Act'
We are asking the government to allocate additional funding to provide for the training necessary for new adoptive parents.
We also ask that the 'Every Child Deserves a Family Act' be revised, in to order to ensure equal opportunity for all families, and to allow both parents in a same sex relationship to adopt legally.
We also ask that the 'Every Child Deserves a Family Act' be revised, in to order to ensure equal opportunity for all families, and to allow both parents in a same sex relationship to adopt legally.
Why is this important?
Thousands of children lack a quality, and safe home because there is a shortage of qualified individuals who are willing to adopt or foster a child. Studies show that foster children have a below average level of education, compared to children who are placed in a permanent home. Academic performance is associated with low socioeconomic status and a low employment rate.
In addition, children who experience placement disruptions are likely to suffer from negative employment, mental health, and education outcomes.
As of 2007, only 4% of adopted children are raised by a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered couple. However, according to a report, conducted by the William Institute, an additional 2 million LGBT couples are interested in adopting.
The 'Every Child Deserves a Family Act' would prohibit any adoption agency from discriminating against potential adoptive parents based on sexual orientation or gender identity. However, what this act does not provide is the recognition of same-sex marriages and the legality of adoption.
Currently, Kansas allows for same-sex couples to adopt, but will only recognize one parent as the legal guardian. Recognition of joint adoption protects the child and parents through: parents’ health benefits, social security, child support entitlement, legal ground to consent to medical care, education, as well as establishing parent and child permanency.
*Thank you for continuing to advocate for basic human rights, Maggie Chiu, LSCSW
In addition, children who experience placement disruptions are likely to suffer from negative employment, mental health, and education outcomes.
As of 2007, only 4% of adopted children are raised by a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered couple. However, according to a report, conducted by the William Institute, an additional 2 million LGBT couples are interested in adopting.
The 'Every Child Deserves a Family Act' would prohibit any adoption agency from discriminating against potential adoptive parents based on sexual orientation or gender identity. However, what this act does not provide is the recognition of same-sex marriages and the legality of adoption.
Currently, Kansas allows for same-sex couples to adopt, but will only recognize one parent as the legal guardian. Recognition of joint adoption protects the child and parents through: parents’ health benefits, social security, child support entitlement, legal ground to consent to medical care, education, as well as establishing parent and child permanency.
*Thank you for continuing to advocate for basic human rights, Maggie Chiu, LSCSW