Jill M. Crawford

In the following viewpoint, Jill M. Crawford contends that too many prospective homosexual adoptive couples who can offer children permanent, caring homes are discouraged from adopting by the scrutiny and homophobia they confront during the adoption process. Although single-parent adoption and “loopholes” in existing policies allow some gay and lesbian couples to raise children, she concludes that failing to sanction same-sex couple adoptions denies many children the benefits of having two legally recognized parents. Crawford is an adoption social worker at the Cambridge Family and Children Services in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to the author, why did one gay couple not pursue adopting Jackie and Todd?
2. What are the two common scenarios in which homosexual couples wish to adopt according to...