Adoptions Together staff, its Board of Directors, and its network of volunteers believe that transgender children and families have the right to access services of all kinds; particularly those intended to strengthen bonds and make relationships stronger. Under normal circumstances, we complete this work quietly as lpart of our mission and vision to ensure every child will grow up in a permanent family. These are not normal circumstances for many of the families we serve. Our team is committed to providing comprehensive adoption and family counseling, education, and training services to all people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender expression.

Now, more than ever, it is critical for Adoptions Together to focus our resources and dedicate our efforts to serving all families and all children. As an agency that has helped same-sex and transgender families for decades, our staff is humbled to stand as allies with the LGBTQ+ community and to be a part of the LGBTQ+’s diverse community.

Founded 27 years ago in response to the growing need for an adoption agency to serve families from all backgrounds, Adoptions Together is here for everyone. By serving on the advisory committee for the Human Rights Campaign’s All Children All Families Initiative and maintaining our Seal of Recognition each year since its inception, we are fully committed to LGBTQ+ families across our region and the United States.

The need for services like ours is not shrinking. Over 400,000 young people are currently living in foster care across the United States, and more than 25% of those children are awaiting adoption. Of these children, LGBTQ+ youth are considered an over-represented minority, which means that the percentage of youth in foster care who identify as LGBTQ+ is larger than the general population. Passage of state laws like Texas’ HB3859, which allows child welfare agencies to discriminate against on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, and religion force us to stand up against injustices we see being committed against the children and families we serve every day, and those who embody our mission.

Supporting families is what we do. We promise to continue serving every child, every family, every step of the way with every resource at our disposal in order to make our community a stronger and more vibrant place. We stand with you in opposition to the discriminatory and unconstitutional rhetoric being harmfully unleashed against our families, friends and colleagues. We are members of the LGBTQ+ community, your allies, and we are always here for you.

Yours in Support,

Adoptions Together Team