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Home > About Adoption > Gay & Lesbian 
Photo by Jane Heron
Children need parents. People in the gay and lesbian community make great ones!
AFABC is holding a special Gay Adoption Information session. Come meet gay and lesbian adoptive parents and hear their stories. Learn the facts about adopting in BC. It’s easier than you think.
If you know someone who would make an amazing adoptive parent, encourage them to attend.
Join us this September for our second info session on same-sex adoptive parenting. This session will be hosted in the Commercial Drive district. Check back soon for date and location!
For information, contact: Sarah Reid, AFABC 604-320-7330, Ext 106 or Michelle McBratney, Ext 105.
Are you a special person with the ability to love, provide for, and commit to a child? Many gay or lesbian individuals and couples in BC have adopted children. Some choose to adopt one of BC's Waiting Children, others go through one of BC's licensed adoption agencies, and others adopt children internationally.
Many of AFABC's members are gay or lesbian and have adopted children. If you would like to speak to our staff about your adoption options, please contact us. You will find articles on gay and lesbian adoptive parents in our articles section.
Gay and Lesbian Adoption and Parenting Resources
Support Groups
Links
Books
You can buy, or order, most of these books at Little Sisters in Vancouver or you can try Chapters online. The following list is taken from Alternative Family Magazine, June 1998.
Considering Parenthood, A Workshop for Lesbians
By C. Pies, Spinsters Ink
Different Mothers, Sons and Daughters of Lesbians Talk about Their Lives
By L. Rafkin Cleis Press
Families We Choose, Lesbians, Gays, Kinship
By K. Weston Columbia, University Press
Family Values, Two Moms and Their Sons
By P. Burke, Random House
Friends and Family: True Stories of Gay America's Straight Allies
By Dan Woog, Alyson Publications
Gay Parents/Straight Schools
By Virginia Casper and Steven, B. Schultz Teachers College Press.
Gay and Lesbian Parents
By F. Bozett, Praeger
Gay Fathers
By R. Barret and B Robinson, Lexington Books
Gay Parenting, A Complete Guide for Gay Men and Lesbians with Children
By J. Schunlenberg, Anchor/Doubleday.
Getting Simon, Two Gay Doctors Journey to Fatherhood
By K.Morgen, PhD Bramble Company
Growing up in a Lesbian Family, Effects on Child Development
By F.Tasker and S. Golombok, The Guilford Press
Homosexuality and Family Relations
By F. Bozett and M. Sussman
Lesbian and Gay Families, Redefining Parenting in America (The Changing Family)
By J. Pollack, Franklin Watss Inc.
Lesbian and Gay Parenting Bibliography
Nat'l Center for Lesbian Rights (1994)
Lesbian and Gay Parenting Handbook
By A. Martin, Harper Collins
Lesbians and Lesbian Families: Reflections on Theory and Practice
Edited by Joan Laird, Columbia University Press
Lesbian Parenting Book
By D.M. Clunis, G.D. Green, Seal Press
Lesbians Raising Sons, An Anthology
Edited by J. Wells, Alyson Publications
Lesbian Step Families, An Ethnography of Love
By J. Wright, Ph.D., Harrington Park Press
Love Makes A Family
Edited by P. Gillespie, University of Massachusetts Press
Non Traditional Families: Parenting and Child Development
By M. Lamb, Erlbaum
Our Families, Our Values
By R. Goss and A. Strongheart, Haworth Press
Out of the Ordinary: Essays on Growing Up with Gay, Lesbian, and Transgendered Parents
Edited by Noell Howey and Ellen Samuels, St. Martins Press
Politics of the Heart: A Lesbian Parenting Anthology
By S. Pollack and J. Vaughn, Firebrand Books
Preserving and Protecting the Families of Lesbians and Gay Men
By R. Achenberg, Nat'l Center for Lesbian Rights (1990)
Queer Families, Common Agendas, Gay People, Lesbians, and Family Values
Edited by T. Richard Sullivan, Ph.D.
Queer Family Values
By Valerie Lehr, Temple University Press
Reinventing the Family: The Emerging Story of Lesbian and Gay Parents
By L. Benkov and J. Cavolina, Crown Publishing
Waiting in the Wings: Portrait of Queer Motherhood
By C. Moraga, Firebrand Books
We Are Everywhere, Writings by and About Lesbian Parents
By H. Alpert, Crossing Press
Women in Love: Portraits of Lesbian Mothers and Their Families
By B. Seyda and D. Herrera, Bullfinch Publishing
Hate Hurts: How Children Learn and Unlearn Prejudice
By Carl Stern-LaRosa and Ellen Hofheimer Bettmann, Scholastic Inc.
The Anti-Defamation League's definitive handbook for adults and children on confronting and conquering bias and encouraging appreciation for our differences. Offers practical tips, sound advice, and age-appropriate role-playing for difficult situations. Available on loan to AFABC members. Please indicate this code when ordering: IT04.s05.1
Adoption Books
The Kid
By D. Savage
Controversial gay sex columnist and now adoptive parent, Dan Savage has written a book titled The Kid: What Happened After My Boyfriend and I Decided to Go Get Pregnant. US magazine Adoptive Families called it a "stay-up-all-night" love letter to his son D.J., and a
"hope-filled story of an adoptive couple's journey into parenthood" that gives a "wonderful sense of how an agency committed to open adoption works." The review goes on to say
that, "It grabs the reader in unexpected ways and creates articulate moving images of the challenges faced by gay dads in pioneer families." Available from Chapters.
The Velveteen Father
By Jesse Green
Children's Books
The GLPCI (the gay and lesbian parents coalition international) publishes a bibliography of books for children which describes books dealing with people of color, multiracial families, lesbian and gay parents, women only space, and lesbian and gay characters. GLPCI, P.O. Box 50360, Washington, DC 20091.
Alsyon Publications produces many titles under the name "Alyson Wonderland." This is an entire line of books (with titles added frequently) for children of lesbian and gay parents. A full catalog can be obtained by contacting Alyson Publications, 40 Plympton Street, Boston, MA 02118, www.ALYSON.COM.
A Beach Party with Alexis
S. Johson-Calvo, Alyson Publications
A Boy's Best Friend
J. Alden, Alyson Publications
Seven year old Will has always wanted a dog but can't have one because his is asthmatic. He always felt "different" and wished he weren't blue. Then, his mothers give him an unusual stuffed dog for his birthday. Through LeDogg and playground bullies, a special thing happens, and Will learns that being different is not bad.
Ashas's Mums
R. Elwin and M, Paulse, Women's Press
The story tells about Asha, a Black Canadian child, defending the fact that she has two mommies to her schoolmates. Asha's assertiveness about educating her classmates and her energy in reaching her goals makes her a role model for any children who must deal with other's perceptions of differences.
Anna Day and the O-Ring
E. Wickens, Alyson Publications
A wonderful picture story that makes visible the naturalness and warmth of a family with two lesbian moms. Photos show Evan, his dog Anna Day, his best friend Ileana, and his two lesbian moms as they celebrate Evan's birthday. When a key piece of Evans's birthday tent is missing, the whole family joins in the search.
Belinda's Bouquet
L. Newman, Alyson Publications
Belinda learns self respect from the lesbians next door. Each flower has its own beauty; all different kinds of flowers make a bouquet.
The Daddy Machine
J. Valentine, Alyson Publications
This is a happily slanted fantasy of two girls with lesbian mothers who want daddies and, while their mothers are out, create a machine that makes lots of dads. As the dads emerge from the
machine, they start "doing what dads, I'm told, do." Amusing and a little wacky! The ending is comfortable gay-ever-after.
Daddy's Roommate
M. Willhoit, Alyson Publications
This gay positive book was written expressly for young children of gay parents. Illustrations are of a cartoon-like quality. This book describes, in a fast paced way, the living arrangements of a young boy who lives with his divorced dad and his gay roommate.
Daddy's Wedding
M. Willhoit, Alyson Publications
The Day They Put A Tax on Rainbows
J. Valentine, Alyson Publications
A collection of fairytales that incorporate gay and lesbian characters and families into their stories.
The Duke Who Outlawed Jelly Beans and Other Stories
Valentine, Alyson Publications
An absolutely delightful book with five stories of dragons, castles, and wonderfully silly self-reliant children who are able to take actions that make their world a better place. Gender roles are non-traditional, and families are varied.
Families: A Coloring Book
M. Willhoite, Alyson Publications
A coloring book which depicts families of different races and ethnic backgrounds.
Families: All Kinds of Families
N. Simon, Albert Whitman and Company
Celebrating Diversity
Diversity is the focus of Rosmarie Hausherr's hardcover book. Through vivid, engaging photographs and a sensitively written text, 14 children and their families are portrayed in a joyous tribute to the uniqueness of families. Their ethnic backgrounds differ as do their
daily experiences, but all of these children have reason to celebrate the people who love and care for them every day. Adoptive, single, same sex, foster, and multiracial families are represented. This book is suitable for children as young as toddlers to those as old as nine or ten (the ages of the oldest children in the book). Youngsters will likely enjoy reading about and discussing these diverse families time and time again.
Families: A Celebration of Diversity, Commitment and Love
By Aylette Jenness, Houghton Miflin
Children and teenagers describe their families, with photographs. Interacial, single-parent, communal, lesbian, adopted, and foster families are included, with no family structure presented as the norm.
Generous Jefferson Bartleby Jones
F. Brown and L. Trawin, Alyson Publications
Jefferson considers himself lucky to have 2 dads because one of them is always free to have fun with him on the weekends. He generously loans out one dad, then the other, and suddenly discovers himself all alone for the first time.
Gloria Goes to Gay Pride
L. Newman, Alyson Publications
Preschooler Gloria relates her experiences on Gay Pride Day, one of many special holidays observed by her family. This book provides a starting point for discussing significant aspects of our lives with young children.
Heather Has Two Mommies
L. Newman, Alyson Publications
Kate and Jane decided to have a baby together and what their live is like with Heather is like. The story also recounts how Heather learns about daddies in her playgroup. Heather learns what really makes a family is not a traditional mommy-daddy but any special combinations of people whom love you.
How Would You Feel if Your Dad Was Gay?
Ann Heron and M. Maran, Alyson Publications.
Jasmine, Michael, and Noah are all regular kids except for one thing: they have two gay parents. This book written by two lesbian mothers with help from their sons, will be a lifeline for all young people who have to face the issues and concerns of having gay parents.
Is Your Family Like Mine?
L. Abramchik, Open Heart Open Mind Publishing.
Jack A.M. Homes
A novel about a young man who learns to accept his father's homosexuality.
Jenny Lives With Eric and Martin
S. Bosche, Gay Men's Press
A book to read aloud to small children. Jenny is a 5-year old Danish girl. She lives with her father, Martin and his lover, Eric. They seem on amicable terms with Karen, her mother. Deals directly with homophobia.
Lucy Goes to the Country
J. Kennedy, J. Canemanker, Alyson Publications
One Dad, Two Dads, Brown Dad, Blue Dad
J.Valentine, Alyson Publications
Two children, one with blue dads, one from a more traditional family, compare notes in this light-hearted, easy to read book about parents who are different. They discover that blue dads aren't really that different from other dads.
Saturday is Pattyday
L. Newman, New Victoria Publishers
Frankie used to live with his two moms, Allie and Patty, but they have separated. Frankie brings along Doris Delores Brontosaurus to visit Allie in her new apartment and learns that Allie will always be part of his life. Told with great sensitivity.
Two Moms, The Zark, and Me
J. Valentine, Alyson Publications
What happens when a child runs into a Zark at the zoo who states that having two moms is not acceptable? A good discussion of family diversity.
Uncle What-Is-It Is Coming to Visit!
M. Willhoite, Alyson Publications
A delightfull story for young children which both presents and dispels stereotypes around gay men. Good talking about with young ones.
Zack's Story: Growing up With Same-Sex Parents
K. Elliot and C.Halebian, Lerner Publications
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