For National Adoption Week, we're celebrating the different journeys that bring families together and sharing a perspective on what it can mean to explore adoption as an LGBT+ person.
I always knew I wanted a family of my own
I knew I wanted a family of my own. As a gay man, I just didn't know what that journey might look like for me.
For a long time, becoming a dad was something I hoped would happen one day, even if I wasn't entirely sure how. Like many people, I had questions about what my future might look like and how I might go about building a family of my own.
When my partner and I started talking more seriously about parenthood, we began to imagine what life as two dads might look like. We knew our journey might be different from the one some people experience, but the hope of becoming parents was something we shared.
Discovering adoption
As we began exploring our options, adoption became a possibility we wanted to learn more about.
We quickly realised that adoption was about much more than our dream of becoming parents. It meant thinking carefully about a child's needs, their experiences and the support they might need as they settled into family life.
We had questions, and we knew there was a lot to learn. Were we ready? What would the process involve? What did we need to understand before taking the next step?
It was exciting to imagine the future, but we also recognised the responsibility that came with it. We wanted to approach the journey thoughtfully, with a willingness to learn and an understanding that a child's needs would always come first.
A journey of learning and preparation
Exploring adoption meant reflecting on the kind of parents we hoped to be and the home we wanted to offer a child.
We learned that every child's story is different, and that becoming an adoptive parent means being ready to listen, understand and respond to their individual needs. Love matters enormously, but so do patience, stability, consistency and a willingness to keep learning.
Gradually, something that had once felt uncertain began to feel possible. We could start to picture a future we might build together.
There were still things we couldn't predict, but we were beginning to see a path towards the family we had hoped for.
Becoming dads
Becoming a parent marks the beginning of a new chapter, rather than the end of a journey.
Parenthood brings new experiences, new challenges and plenty of opportunities to learn. It means showing up, listening, adapting and recognising that no two families, or children, are exactly alike.
As two dads, we've come to appreciate that there isn't just one way for a family to look. What matters is creating a home where a child feels safe, valued, understood and supported.
Our family might look different from someone else's, but we don't have to fit a particular picture of what a family should be. Every family has its own story, and every child deserves the care and support they need to thrive.
A message to LGBT+ people considering adoption
If you're an LGBT+ person thinking about adoption, it's OK to have questions about what the journey might look like for you.
You don't have to have every answer before you begin exploring your options. Taking time to find out more, ask questions and seek support can help you understand the process and decide what feels right for you.
LGBT+ people and couples can become adoptive parents, and your identity doesn't have to be a barrier to exploring whether adoption could be part of your future. What matters is understanding the needs of children waiting for adoptive families and being prepared to meet the responsibilities of adoptive parenthood.
Every journey is different, and having access to supportive, inclusive information can make a real difference along the way.
Every family has a story
At Proud 2 b Parents, we know that there are many different ways to build a family. We support LGBT+ parents, carers and those exploring their journey to parenthood, helping families find connection, understanding and a sense of belonging.
This National Adoption Week, we're celebrating the people and experiences that make every family unique.
Thank you to the parent who shared this perspective and helped us shine a light on the experiences of LGBT+ people exploring and experiencing adoption.
Every family has a story. Every family deserves support.
If you're an LGBT+ parent, carer or prospective parent, Proud 2 b Parents is here to help you connect with a supportive community.
