Discriminatory Treatment in Foster Parenting and Adoptions

The ACLU works in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and the laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country.

LGBTQ issue image

If you’ve been discriminated against based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status, the ACLU wants to hear about it.

What's at Stake

The ACLU has a long history of successfully challenging state exclusions of LGBT people from adopting or becoming foster parents, such as our 20-year fight that brought down Florida’s notorious anti-gay adoption ban. We will continue to challenge remaining state laws that ban adoption or fostering by LGBT people or same-sex couples. We’ll also continue to fight efforts to allow discriminatory treatment of LGBT people by religiously affiliated child welfare agencies that contract with states to serve the needs of children in state custody.

Need help?
Fill out our confidential online form

For non-LGBT issues, please contact your local ACLU affiliate.

The ACLU has a long history of successfully challenging state exclusions of LGBT people from adopting or becoming foster parents, such as our 20-year fight that brought down Florida’s notorious anti-gay adoption ban. We will continue to challenge remaining state laws that ban adoption or fostering by LGBT people or same-sex couples. We’ll also continue to fight efforts to allow discriminatory treatment of LGBT people by religiously affiliated child welfare agencies that contract with states to serve the needs of children in state custody.

Need help?
Fill out our confidential online form

For non-LGBT issues, please contact your local ACLU affiliate.

{{ showFullContent ? 'Hide more content' : 'Expand to read more' }}
Support our on-going litigation and advocacy work