LGBT+ Parenting

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (“ONS”) show that in 2019 there were 212,000 same-sex families in the UK, having increased by 40.0% since 2015. However the most recent statistics for the number of same-sex couples raising children remain those from 2013, when 12,000 couples were doing so.

In March 2015, government statistics for the previous year showed that on average more than 9 children per week were being adopted by LGBT parents, representing 14% of all adoptions.

ONS has confirmed that a voluntary question about gender identity will be included in the 2021 Census. This should enable a fuller appreciation of family diversity to be presented in the future.

LGBT+ PATHS TO PARENTHOOD

An overview from the NHS on the options for LGBT+ people wishing to start a family.

Website

NEW FAMILY SOCIAL

New Family Social is a UK charity, led by LGBT+ adopters and foster carers, supporting LGBT+ people seeking to foster or adopt. An increasing number of lesbians and gay men in the UK have become carers and adopters of children in public care. There is now a real appreciation of the unique strengths and qualities that gay and lesbian people possess as parents.

Website

STONEWALL GUIDES

Two useful resources from Stonewall:

“Pregnant Pause: A guide for lesbians on how to get pregnant” is a guide published in 2009 for lesbian and bisexual women on all aspects of pregnancy and childbirth from conception to starting school.

“A Guide for Gay Dads” is a guide published in 2015 taking gay men through the choices available to them in starting a family including legal advice on parenting rights in various situations.

Both booklets can be found from the link below by choosing the “Co-Parenting” menu option.

Website

Lesbian & Gay Fostering & Adoption: Extraordinary yet ordinary

An increasing number of lesbians and gay men in the UK have been recruited in the last few years to become carers and adopters of children in public care. This increase has been helped by a change in the law and there is a real appreciation of the unique strengths and qualities that gay and lesbian people possess

Website
Links to Other Supportsponsor