LGBTQ+ strong adoptive families

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40% of our adopters approved in 2025 identified as LGBTQ+

We welcome enquiries from ALL communities. Sexuality isn’t an important factor when it comes to adoption. What IS important is the commitment, resilience, stability and love that children who have suffered early childhood trauma, ALL need. We welcome and encourage enquiries from the LGBTQ+ community.

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Daniel

Daniel adopted his son with Adoption Matters in 2025. As a single gay man, he has never looked back.

“Take the plunge, make the call! You can go at your own pace throughout the process and stop for a break at any time! I had a 2-month break to travel Australia and New Zealand between stage 1 and 2 without any pressure or issues! So, what’s stopping you taking that first step? You will never ever regret it!!

One year after starting the process, my son has moved in and I couldn’t imagine life without him. Take that first step! My only regret is not making it sooner!”

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April

April, a solo adopter, adopted her son with Adoption Matters in 2024.

“I think being a queer woman, especially of my generation, has given me quite a helpful perspective on adoption. I spent my formative years under the shadow of Section 28, and left to feel an outsider as a result, as ‘ideal’ family life was always presented as biological and nuclear. I think this experience is helping me put myself in the shoes of a child whose family life doesn’t fit that mould, because of their history and adoption. LGBTQ+ people – many marginalised people – tend to know all too well what it feels like to be seen as different, and to understand instinctively the importance of chosen family. There are positive messages from this we can pass on to our adopted children.”

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April

I’ve recently realised that being part of the LGBTQ+ community has given me a helpful way in to talking about family with my adopted child. We often seem to be talking about my friends, and their children who ‘have two mummies’, or a friend at nursery who “has two dadas”. My 3 year old son (left) now chats away endlessly about how “some friends have a dada, some have two, I have a mama and a cat”. We’ve been able to communicate what family means without even trying, and he now understands he lived somewhere else before he met mama. What a nice, calm way into starting our conversations about his history as he grows up.”

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LGBTQ+ Adoption

Sexuality isn't an important factor when it comes to adoption. What IS important is the commitment, resilience, stability and love that children who have suffered early childhood trauma, ALL need. We welcome and encourage enquiries from the LGBTQ+ community.

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From 1 in 31 to 1 in 5

Statistics from the Department of Education show:

  • In 2025, 1 in 5 adoptions were by same-sex couples.
  • In 2013, it was closer to 1 in 31, showing a significant rise over the past decade.

Currently the Department only records limited data on LGBTQ+ adoptions this is because recording is still relatively recent. This new data excludes bisexual people, Trans people not in a same sex relationship and single LGBTQ+ adopters. Therefore, the real number of LGBTQ+ adopters will be considerably higher.

With 3,000 children currently waiting for adoption of which over half part of a sibling group there is a huge need for more adopters.

Love makes a family

Adoption Matters Chief Executive, Susy White, says: “We know from experience that LGBTQ+ people often come to adoption with an open mind and real enthusiasm – it’s often their first choice to build their family.

“You can be single, over 50 and you don’t need to own your own home to consider adoption. Sexuality isn’t an important factor in our assessment of prospective adopters, what we need is people who can offer stability, love and resilience who can who can help a child with whatever needs they may have. We offer ongoing support and training to all our families for as long as they need it.”

We welcome enquiries from the LGBTQ+ community.

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