Obstacles to Adoption
By Liane and Sunshine Hartnagel
My partner and I attempted to adopt a child through the state of Texas. We went through all the hoops, going through 40 hours of classes and home inspections. Unfortunately, we had no success. The caseworker doing our home study was the first to hint that we might not be considered "acceptable" parents by Child Protective Services because we are a lesbian couple, regardless of the fact that we already have two children from my partner's previous marriage. The caseworker, of course, didn't pass our home study. We didn't appeal the decision because we were very disheartened and jaded by the whole experience.
Sept. 16, 2002