ABSTRACT
This chapter describes interdisciplinary research exploring the outcomes and experiences of adoptive families headed by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) parents using developmental, ecological, and family systems perspectives. Individual, couple, parent–child, and family-level outcomes are examined in the context of intersecting identities related to parental sexual orientation, gender, racial-ethnic identity, and adoptive identity. The unique strengths and challenges of LGBTQ parent adoptive families are considered alongside comparisons to adoptive families headed by cisgender heterosexual parents. The influences of legal, sociopolitical, and other environmental factors on family functioning are discussed, as well as their implications for adoption policy and law. Areas for future work are suggested.
