It is now scientifically proved that children get equal love and affection from the same sex parents as with the other couples. Yet, these couples face major difficulties in adopting children as they have to fight a long legal and social battle to win over. In fact they yet resort to the surrogated mothers or artificial insemination in order to become parents.

Here are a few points that would help you understand the legal possibilities and difficulties of the gay and lesbian couples better, while adopting a child:

1. First we must understand that there are very few countries in the world where the same sex marriages as held legal. Some examples of these places are: Vermont, Massachusetts & California.

2. The most advisable though is to hide your sexuality in such cases.

3. Yet, another legal and fair advice is that one can apply for single parenting.

4. The other partner further applies as the domestic step parent or in simple terms the co-parent.

5. Here the legal rights of the co-parent are somewhat restricted, but they work out more on their personal relationships.

6. Though the studies have proved that children tend to get the same love and affection in a same sex family as compared to the other counterparts.

7. The parents’ being non-straight does not explain that the child won’t be straight as well.

8. Many lesbian & gay couples have now adopted children and proved so.

9. The legal rights of the co-parents include:

a. Knowing the where-abouts of all the important activities of the child’s life.
b. In case the couple splits away, the co-parent yet holds some rights.
c. He / She is allowed decide in all important matters like the medical treatment, educational purposes, etc.

10. In terms of parenting, both straight as well as non-straight parents want the best for their child.

11. In fact the children brought up by the same sex parents hold respect for people of varied cultures and learn to handle them better in their lives.

12. Yet, the outcome of the child being raised by the same sex home can not surely be defined, as it is a new concept and needs more research & studies.

13. Applying for adoption as a single parent with the partner applying for the co-parenting as explained above helps you get recognition in the federal government in terms of the legal parent-child relationships.

14. The adoption process continues to be the same in this case as well – a home study, the standard background check, etc.

15. The steps are no where different, yet, they become time taking & longer as in accomplished those you need to break the taboos & fight the stereo types in the society.

16. Red tapism is the real devil you have to fight against.

17. In case the judge is in your favor, the job is indeed done.

18. Else be prepared for some real friction on that front.

19. In mainstream America, these sorts of adoptions are yet a hard nut to crack and the situation seems like to stay for another few years to come.

20. The impacts of same sex parenting on the child are yet inexplicable, still, the adoptions made till date seem to be quite successful as those children have adjusted pretty well in the families.