What is the Independent Adoption Center

So, by now you all know that we are adopting.  And if you don't, well SURPRISE!! We are gonna have a baby! As I have mentioned before, we had thought about the county adoption process, but it did not meet our needs.  So we found another option.

When we first came to California, three years ago, we had thought about the adoption process.  Thankfully, we realized that it wasn't a good option at that point in our lives and we decided to wait.  However, we decided to check out the process so we could have an idea about what was going to happen.  I googled, like a good boy of the world of technology, and found the Independent Adoption Center.  This agency, which has been around for 30 years (according to their website - also, don't expect any professional citations.  If you want more information, go to www.adoptionhelp.org).  They specialize in open adoptions and have been incredibly successful over the years.  What also drew us to this agency is their specialization in gay and lesbian adoptions.  

Now that we are much more invested in the adoption process, we have been doing A LOT more research.  As it turns out, gay and lesbian adoptions are a large part of their clientele. In fact, it appears that gay and lesbian adoptions are above the curve when it comes to the speediness of matches.  I was asked, recently, why this is the case.  I am by no means an expert in this, but I do have some ideas about the possibilities.  Before I make these opinions, I want to make sure I do not offend anyone.  Whatever I say, I do not mean for you to take offense.  I believe that when a prospective mother is looking to give up her baby, one of the primary concerns is whether or not the couple truly wants the child.  Now, I am sure that 99.9999% of the families want to adopt - otherwise, why would they shell out so much money? If you can spare that kind of money, you have Mitt Romney money (remember, no offense).  However, I think that a mother looks at the difference between a straight couple and a gay couple is the perceived ability to have children.  I think the general consensus is that two men cannot conceive a child - I know, a shocking turn of events.  Because of this, when a birthmother looks at a profile of a gay couple, she is going to know that this couple desperately wants a child and cannot have one, regardless of how hard they try.  Now, this isn't to say the same is not true for a straight couple, but I think it is significantly more apparent that a gay couple has little option.  

So, the Independent Adoption Center, which prides itself on 30 years of non-discriminatory practices is the place for us to work with.  Stay tuned for even more updates about this agency and our work with them! 

Travis