"Adoption Absurdity."Advocate 1052 (2011): 13. Academic Search Premier. Web. 3 June 2012. This is an article review of how can the Catholic Church say its protecting children while throwing out hundreds of adoption and foster care cases? This is a case of the end of a century old partnership between the Roman Catholic Church and the state of Illinois. The Catholic Church officials decided to move out of foster care areas and adoption issues. The church is against same sex couple marriages and does not recognize them to be parents so is against issuing adoption and foster care to them. The same sex couples, who have civil union rights in the state of Illinois, say that this is prejudice on the part of the church which says that it is a violation of the constitutionally protected religious beliefs. Many states in the USA have now recognized same sex couples right to marriage and this has become a common ground for anti-gay activists for championing state run adoption and foster care homes. The National Organization for Marriage's Maggie Gallagher, one of the most vocal opponents of gay marriage says that if same sex couple move for equal rights they will be hurting children and put many foster care homes out of business It is seen that in the state of Illinois, where the catholic church which handles one out of every seven cases of adoption gives up its stake on this the private adoption homes are willing to carry out the same with the catholic church moving out of this, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services handed over the same to a private care centre which handled 300 cases in weeks. The other catholic dioceses which sued to be exempted from this civil union law have received temporary injunction till their cases are heard in august. It has been increasingly felt that the catholic dioceses have done enough service to the child welfare services and it would not be good if they leave but, their religious commitment refuses to accept same sex couple marriage which is since then a union civil liberties law and hence against their beliefs. I am shocked by this. I knew from growing up Catholic that their view points on homosexual lifestyles wasn’t that friendly but I had no idea they went into all of this. My family, both immediate and extended comes from a Catholic background but luckily for my situation it is far from some of the extreme cases you hear about. My family has shown me nothing but love and support, yes they are Catholic, but they know what to believe in and when to “draw the line” so to speak. It is very scary that we live in a world that is still largely run by the Catholic Church. The same people that teach “love thy neighbor” are the same ones that are quick to say but not “those neighbors.” ******************************************** Goldberg, Abbie E., and JuliAnna Z. Smith. "Stigma, Social Context, And Mental Health: Lesbian And Gay Couples Across The Transition To Adoptive Parenthood." Journal Of Cou.

1. "Adoption Absurdity."Advocate 1052 (2011): 13. Academic
Search Premier. Web. 3 June 2012.
This is an article review of how can the Catholic Church say its
protecting children while throwing out hundreds of adoption and
foster care cases? This is a case of the end of a century old
partnership between the Roman Catholic Church and the state of
Illinois. The Catholic Church officials decided to move out of
foster care areas and adoption issues. The church is against
same sex couple marriages and does not recognize them to be
parents so is against issuing adoption and foster care to them.
The same sex couples, who have civil union rights in the state
of Illinois, say that this is prejudice on the part of the church
which says that it is a violation of the constitutionally protected
religious beliefs. Many states in the USA have now recognized
same sex couples right to marriage and this has become a
common ground for anti-gay activists for championing state run
adoption and foster care homes. The National Organization for
Marriage's Maggie Gallagher, one of the most vocal opponents
of gay marriage says that if same sex couple move for equal
rights they will be hurting children and put many foster care
homes out of business
It is seen that in the state of Illinois, where the catholic church
which handles one out of every seven cases of adoption gives up
its stake on this the private adoption homes are willing to carry
out the same with the catholic church moving out of this, the
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services handed
over the same to a private care centre which handled 300 cases
in weeks. The other catholic dioceses which sued to be
exempted from this civil union law have received temporary
injunction till their cases are heard in august.
It has been increasingly felt that the catholic dioceses have done
enough service to the child welfare services and it would not be

2. good if they leave but, their religious commitment refuses to
accept same sex couple marriage which is since then a union
civil liberties law and hence against their beliefs.
I am shocked by this. I knew from growing up Catholic that
their view points on homosexual lifestyles wasn’t that friendly
but I had no idea they went into all of this. My family, both
immediate and extended comes from a Catholic background but
luckily for my situation it is far from some of the extreme cases
you hear about. My family has shown me nothing but love and
support, yes they are Catholic, but they know what to believe in
and when to “draw the line” so to speak. It is very scary that we
live in a world that is still largely run by the Catholic Church.
The same people that teach “love thy neighbor” are the same
ones that are quick to say but not “those neighbors.”
********************************************
Goldberg, Abbie E., and JuliAnna Z. Smith. "Stigma, Social
Context, And Mental Health: Lesbian And Gay Couples Across
The Transition To Adoptive Parenthood." Journal Of Counseling
Psychology 58.1 (2011): 139-150. Academic Search Premier.
Web. 3 June 2012.
It is always a stressful experience on the part of the gay and
lesbian couples to live in a world dominated by heterosexual
population. The turmoil and the solution to the turmoil of the
non-heterosexual couples in the respect of stepping into the
realm of parenthood through the means of adoption has been
meticulously conveyed in the article Stigma, Social Context,
and Mental Health: Lesbian and Gay Couples Across the
Transition to Adoptive Parenthood by Smith and Goldberg.
Besides, the authors have also pointed out the pathetic condition
of the non-heterosexual individuals which they face while
leading life in a heterosexist world. The first and foremost
problem which the non-heterosexual minority has to face is the
imposition of the undue stigma on their non-heterosexual form

3. of behavior by the heterosexual majority. The perverted
endeavor of the heterosexual majority in the U.S society in
specific and in the international societies in general to
contradict and disparage any non-heterosexual form of identity,
community or relationship has also been highlighted in the
discussion. The authors have stressed on the fact that the
heterosexual community acts as a pivotal antithesis to the
natural concept of non-heterosexual orientation and the
institutionalized heterosexism always tend to promote antigay
legislations which always pose a threat to the wellbeing of the
non-heterosexual minority across the world.
It is noteworthy that through their inhuman efforts
institutionalized heterosexism is always tending to formulate
law restricting marriages between gay or lesbian couples and
the heterosexual majority is even standing against the process of
adoption of children by same-sex couples. Now, that is sheer
inhumanity. And hence, the authors emphasize on the fact that
the wellbeing of the non-heterosexual community depends
largely upon the cooperation of the heterosexual community as
because, if the heterosexual community carries on pressurizing
the non-heterosexual individuals in such perverted manners then
the latter are sure to lose their mental stability which will in
turn deteriorate their mental health. The authors conclude that
like the biological heterosexual parents the non-heterosexual
parents also go through phases of emotional changes while
becoming parents through adoption for the first time. Hence,
every human being, for the sake of humanity should render
proper cooperation and healthy treatment towards the non-
heterosexual couples and by doing so, the proper balance can be
maintained in the human society and the non-heterosexual
individuals will be able to enjoy their fundamental human
rights.
********************************************

4. Chapman, Steve. "RealClearPolitics - Articles - Gay Adoption:
The Real Agenda." RealClearPolitics - Articles - Gay Adoption:
The Real Agenda. 30 Nov. 2008. Web. 29 May 2012.
The article explains that there is a need for stable families and
love for children and this may not be available to them in case
of gay adoption. Moreover since they require social stability in
case of adoption it becomes crucial that they are in a position
that they can take care of the child and this may or may not be
possible that there be stability availed to the child in case of a
gay adoption.
Moreover as gay adoption is not legal and there are several
obstacles that can come into gay adoption then it can result in
creating issues in raising the child. Having explored the notion,
"To Parent or Not to Parent," the three things that I believe a
person should consider in making this life changing decision
include lifestyle, quality of time spent with the child and the
child’s need and acceptance. This may or may not be available
and possible in case of gay adoption and hence it results in
there being several issues in gay adoption. Moreover it also
results in quite a lot of instability and stress which will impact
the life of the child.
Stress and being busy can make the child feel unwanted and
rejected. It is extremely important that parents and children
spend quality time with each other in order to understand the
feelings and needs of each other better. It is important that they
try and understand the views of each other and also that the
parents communicate to their children in a kind and loving way
in order to be able to make them feel accepted and not rejected.
A mother is essential in a child’s life and more so when
adopted. Social influences and what the children observe as
well as the quality of care is what influence early child
development most.

5. ********************************************
Pemberton, Camilla. "Support For Gay Adoptive Parents."
Community Care 1814 (2010): 20-21. Academic Search Premier.
Web. 3 June 2012.
This article explains gay adoption as a concept where
psychology as well as sociology is extremely essential. In cases
of there being gay adoption it results in several issues as gay
parenting differs from parenting other children. Moreover in
case of gay parenting it results in a responsibility to help the
child be able to understand as well as be understood. Adopting
children is a task of huge responsibility since bringing them up
requires a lot of dedication and efforts. In case of gay parents it
becomes very difficult to explain to the child that they are
different and need to explain to the child in an extremely
sensitive manner.
It becomes crucial for the parents to understand the sensitivity
of the issue. It is not just the legal aspects which are important
and can cause an obstruction but it is also the sensitive aspects
of gay adoption and gay parenting that matter. Moreover
stability is a very important thing for children in a younger age.
When adoption of young children takes place, they would
already be facing a distress of adjusting in a new environment
as well as formation of a new family. Gay adoption then
becomes more and more complicated. Moreover there may be
cases where the child, adopted at an older age, may think they
need and yearn for a “mother.” They might want all that a
mother does, which they might think would not be possible in
the case of gay adoption, and not understand and that a gay
parent and/or parents can do the same thing. It is quite possible
that gay parents may not be able to give children the required
social stability as well since the child might not be mature
enough to understand the concept of gay adoption or protect
them from bullying and social issues that comes with this. There

6. are several problems and situations that can arise from gay
adoption, since the child would grow in a very different
environment, which may result in mental distress. Being gay
and adopted myself this is very hard to say but it is the truth, a
child growing up in this situation would be faced with many
challenges along the way as well as they gay adoptee parent(s).
********************************************
Lindenberger, Michael A. "The Fight Over Gay Adoption Heats
Up." Time. Time, 26 Nov. 2008. Web. 29 May 2012.
Discrimination against gays has been expressly forbidden across
all the states in North America. Gay marriages for instance is
slowly being recognized, a good illustration is at Massachusetts
Supreme Court where it was made legal. Gay adoption has also
won the battle and a state judge in Miami tossed out a statute
that had barred gays from adopting. Although these are plusses
for such a topic, it is still a minor thing on such a major road.
Many people are living their lives according to their sexuality
and give their preference according to their views. Many people
are leading life abundantly by same-sex marriage. By gay
adoption, the children who are poorer, and who don’t have
parents will get all the facilities they need, especially parents’
love. It is extremely necessary for children while they are in
important developmental years to experience this love and will
also get a much better future in for their life.
The gay issues and gay adoption are highly sensitive matters
because it considers the physiological conditions. When
Massachusetts court made it legal the other courts began to
recognize gay rights. Many states including Massachusetts,
California, New York, New Jersey and Maryland already
expressed positive views about gays seeking to adopt. Some

7. other States allow gay adoption without specific legislation. The
States that prohibited gay adoption had an extremely hard time
refusing gay adoption approved by other States. Gay adoption
takes an explicit ruling by a judge. The adoption rulings are the
kinds of decisions that have been designed by the US
Constitution’s under the “Full Faith and Credit” clause.
Unlike gay marriages, gay adoption campaigns face a more
difficult process. Normally marriage licenses are administrative
in nature and are based on the constitutional protection of
different states but child adoption rulings are based on the
decision that the U.S. Constitution’s Full Faith and Credit
Clause are meant to protect. The executive director of National
Lesbian and Gay Law Association said, “Gay and lesbian are
willing to have to fight for foster adoption and the Court has
stood up for the majority of this right”.
But if the Court and supporters continue to reach conflicting
notions then the fight could be for a long time. The supporters
said “We are looking for changes in the hearts of American
peoples, and we are the parts of their community, and we can
become loving parents.” Many conservatives are striving to
fight against gay adoption. They have decided that facing the
ballot box is the most preferred method to use compared to
taking the issue to be tackled in the courthouse. The same
conservatives have managed to pass votes in many states; this
has led to 45 states in North America to declare gay marriages
expressly illegal.
********************************************
Price, Rita. "Gay Families Struggle to Safeguard Adopted
Kids." The Columbus Dispatch. 27 May 2012. Web. 29 May
2012.

8. The article explains the issues that exist in case of gay adoption
and gay parenting which are not only legal issues but also
several psychological and social issues. There are several
problems that can arise as a gay couple would need to struggle
in order to take care of an adopted child. It becomes very
difficult for them to be able to understand the needs of the child
and also explain to the child that they are gay. In case of
societal acceptance and self-esteem as well, the child may have
certain problems and may not be able to cope with the
psychological pressures that come in as a part of being in a
family without a mother. As a child is extremely sensitive and
needs to be cared for with a lot of effort, in case of a gay family
he may not receive the care and security.
Moreover gay parents also need to struggle to raise an adopted
child as they are not able to cope up with the pressures of child
adoption. Moreover there may also be several problems that the
child faces while growing up as he does not get the care and
love from a mother but is required to accept two fathers.
Moreover legal acceptance in case of gay parents and gay
adoption is not very common. The laws for adoption is still
skeptical in case of same sex couples since they doubt the
stability and love that the child can get in a normal house and a
normal family where a mother and a father take care of the
child.In this way it becomes very important for the child and the
parents to create effective communication and only then will the
laws are able to change and accept same sex parents or gay
adoption.
********************************************
Stone, Andrea. "Both Sides on Gay Adoption Cite Concern for
Children." USA Today. Gannett, 20 Feb. 2006. Web. 29 May
2012.
The court of law, when asked to comment about it, is almost

9. silent about homosexuality and gay adoption. It is as they don’t
even want to “touch these issues.” The gay experts and
advocates however say there are many cases pending in
Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee about gay adoption.
The executive director of the Family Equality Center in Boston
said that, “they were bringing this issue to the attention of the
American people, “and were likely to use a similar strategy
when it comes to parenting issues. Gay marriage is expressed to
be illegal in 45 states. The argument about gay adoption is more
difficult than the argument about gay marriage. Gay adoption is
an emotional and psychological matter and in such cases the
court sees what they think is “best for the child.” Most children
in foster homes have a scarred past as they have mostly been
exposed to frequent abuse and neglect, this is clearly portrayed
by the story of Michael in Oregon who had been molested and
because of this had lost emotional touch. He refused to be
hugged by anyone for four years. As an impact of his behavior,
nobody had stepped up to adopt him. Birtcher and his partner
O’Reilley wanted to adopt the child but the law did not allow
because they were gay.
In North America, over 520,000 children are in foster care,
according to North America Council on Adoptable Children.
120,000 children are put on adoption but only 50,000 find
homes or families. This leaves 70,000 children in foster homes
to be left out. These shows that families that can adopt the
children are not enough, while gays who are willing to adopt are
not allowed. Many gays would prefer to adopt a child who is, in
lack of a better word, classified as a “reject” because they
understand and feel how it is like to be the odd one out and
classified as such.
The gay adoption issue will soon face the ballot if the

10. legislators do not act says Rev. Russel Johnson Chairman of the
Ohio Restoration Project. He is the one who spearheaded the
fight against gay marriage on the ballot in 2004. The general
public also has had a vote on this and a recent poll showed that
58% of Missouri voters and 62% of Ohio voters said they would
definitely vote against it.
********************************************
Ruggeri, Amanda. "Emerging Gay Adoption Fight Shares Battle
Lines of Same-Sex Marriage Debate."US News. U.S.News &
World Report, 31 Oct. 2008. Web. 29 May 2012.
The state of Florida allows gays to become foster parents but
ban them from adopting. This is an example of a case
experienced by Frank Gill who wants to adopt two boys to
whom he has fostered since 2004. In the states of Mississippi
and Utah, they have also put a ban on adoption (Ruggeri par.1,
2).
There is no evidence showing that gay parents harm children.
But many conservatives argue that it’s always in the best
interest of the child to have both a mother and a father. In North
America only 3 states do not allow gay adoption, 12 states
allow gay adoption while the rest 33 states are not sure yet if
the adoption petition might be a success.
Gays can find it easy to adopt since many courts treat it
differently for singles versus couples. But this issue is tricky
since in nearly 22 states it is not clear if both partners can
legally adopt one child. In the long run this can leave the child
with some crucial legal protections because if one of the parents
dies the child might not get security from the other.

11. Advocates have argued that the issue of gay adoption should be
decided only in the courtroom. Currently, the results in Florida
and Arkansas indicate that the fighting has begun against gay
adoption. The gay right supporters and conservatives are ready
to fight back. The executive director of National Lesbian and
Gay Law Association said “Gay and lesbian are willing to have
a fight for foster adoption and regular adoption and the Court
has stood up for the majority right”. But if the Court and
supporters are to continue to reach conflicting results, the fight
could be for a long run. The supporters said “We are looking for
change in the hearts of the American people and making them
understand that we are like them, and part of their community,
we worry about homework and being lovely parents.”
*************************************************
Kellard, James. "Gay Marriage Should Be Legal." Gay
Marriage. Ed. Debra A. Miller. Detroit: Greenhaven Press,
2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "Do We Have a Constitutional Right
to Ban Gay Marriage?" 2011. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In
Context. Web. 29 July 2012.
Gay marriage has always been a topic of speculation and in the
olden times a topic of condemnation as well. There are many
views on this topic which are mostly against it. Most religions
are not supportive of this idea and there seem to be many
practical obstacles to it as well. People will have tough time
accepting it, because it is not the ideal thing to do but that does
not mean that it is the wrong thing to do. We expect a child to
be raised by a mother and a father but if he/she gets a disturbed
and abusive childhood among them, it is better that they should
be raised with a loving gay couple.
Gay marriage should be legalized as they are not a threat to the
society, because if two people are ready to spend their life with
each other in harmony, there is no need of the outside world or
religion to interfere in it. They are far better than the violent

12. households in which heterosexual couples fight and get violent
with each other. It is also said that it is against the institution of
marriage which is the communion of a man and a woman. In the
purest of sense it should be done when a man and a woman love
each other but today this is not the case. Many couple gets
married for money, protection or just something as materialistic
as a medical insurance. In the given scenario it is quite unlikely
that the institution of marriage has attained the same respect as
before. On the contrary, gay couples marry out of love. Any
couple whether homosexual or heterosexual wants to get
married for the sake of love and companionship should be
legalized and respected. This is not about religion as no religion
supports violence or condemnation when two people
irrespective of gender are ready to live in peace.
The conclusion should be to allow the gay couples to get
married and should not be given any extra hype than any normal
heterosexual marriage. The unwanted publicity created around
these marriages makes it more awkward for the gay couples to
live happily as they are almost treated as an outcast who have
done something outrageously wrong. There are no religious
justifications to support that they are not normal. Almost every
religion preaches to live in peace and harmony without
disturbing anyone. Gay couples are not a threat or bad
influence, the people just need to open themselves to the idea.
*****************************************************
********
Charlotte J. Patterson, Duke J., Gender L., Adoption of minor
children by lesbian and gay adults: A Social science
perspective, June 1995.
The article deals with the adoption of minor children by gays
and lesbians. Although many of the jurisdictions do not allow
this to happen, but these types of cases do occur and there is no
harm in having gays and lesbians as parents of the children. The

13. main motive is to provide the child a healthy environment which
is accomplished.
Gays and lesbians can be fine parents to children and it has
been proven by some of the complicated cases as well that they
are sometimes better than the biological parents. It is important
to discuss here that sometimes the claim to biological parents
have been denied and the adoption is done by the homosexual
parents as it was found to be in the best consequences of the
situation. The claims were terminated on ethical grounds and
their biological parents were not found to be competent enough
to take care of the children on moral and ethical issues. These
kind of cases reflect a face of the society which is very bad as
people condemn homosexual people for not being normal, but
they are perfectly fine people and equal status should be given
to them as they are liable to have a good life and they are very
good parents instead.
Homosexuality is a sensitive and controversial topic ever since.
It has known to face oppression and public humiliation from
olden times. Though things are getting better now-a-days, but
there was a long period for which homosexuality has been
considered a source of utter condemnation. Though in changing
times they have been accepted in the society but still they have
a long way to go and thus it is important that they are given
every right to behave and allowed to interact in a manner every
heterosexual couple is dealt in the society. This article is giving
information in that regard as it is a good step that in some
jurisdiction it is acceptable that the parents of an adopted child
shall be homosexual. It has got deeper implications as an
increase level of faith in homosexuals which were not the case
in olden times. Gays and lesbians had seen a tough time fighting
for their rights but if not immediately, then gradually they are
crawling towards attaining that goal.
This article has some controversial cases as well where the
rights of the biological parents were not terminated yet the child
was adopted by the homosexual couples. These are the example
that people are getting more and more open towards accepting

14. the idea of gays and lesbians as extremely normal level headed
people who can be totally trusted with children and they can be
really good and loving parents to children. People still have
their reservation for homosexual people as they have not been
given equal status in the society. They are treated as outcaste
and so are still fighting for their identity. They are far better
than the people who don’t treat children well and leave them
alone which in some cases happen to be the biological parents
of the child. There should be every right given to a homosexual
parent as that of a heterosexual parent.
ENGL 112 Exploratory Paper
When we explore we investigate or study new ideas.
Christopher Columbus, John Cabot, Magellan, and Ponce de
Leon were explorers who sought new knowledge of the world
they knew and that others believed to be true. They understood
the position of the government and the people of their countries.
They understood what they believed to be true. Their
knowledge and understanding allowed them to form rebuttals or
counterarguments to the world’s knowledge at that time.
Without these men the discovery of America and other lands
would not have happened. But, because of their desire to
explore, Europeans gained new lands and new knowledge of the
world around them.
The explorers sought to prove their ideas. They committed their
lives and often their money to prove what they believed was
true. That is basically what you will do with your exploratory
essay. Explore your ideas on an issue by turning it over and
testing it.
Exploratory writing allows you to use your writing process to
explore unfamiliar, perhaps intimidating subject areas. You
will want to get involved—personally – with your subject. You
will also need to get inside the subject and get the subject inside
of you. Do not bring preconceived notions about proper or
expected ways to respond to the subject.

15. Topic: Explore the range of positions about the issue
selectedand used for the Annotated Bibliography. To clearly
write about an issue, you need to understand what others are
thinking and feeling about the topic. Begin with the sources
found for Annotated Bibliography showing the various
rhetorical situations of the issue. You may need/want to do
additional research to fully explore the issue.
Purpose: To understand various positions on an issue and
explore your own position on that issue (stopping short of
actually making your own argument on the issue). The paper
will synthesize (evaluate references for topics/issues/themes
they have in common) the viewpoints on a particular issue from
a variety of articles with your own position. Do not confuse
perspectives with sub-issues about the topic.
Audience: You and members of the class and regional, federal
or world individuals who have an interest in the issue being
explored.
Focus: Investigate and prepare to join others who have started
conversations about your issue.
Development: As you begin your Exploratory, read and annotate
articles on the issue. Be sure you find three different views
about the issue. Summarize articles and take notes. Your
Exploratory essay should: Introduce and explain the issue
Describe the rhetorical situation
Explain three or more positions on the issue along with reasons
why their authors have them.
Put forth your own position on the issue along with the reasons
why you are taking this stance.
Make a tentative claim
Present a paper that has a minimal number of surface, technical
formatting, and grammatical problems. (Transitions are
particularly important here.)
The paper should be cited, like any academic paper. Use MLA
or APA. Give credit in the body of the paper and give source
information in the Works Cited or Reference page.
Length, Format and Minimum Requirements: 900-1000 words,

16. plus Works Cited/Reference following MLA or APA style
formatting and documentation for sources used in your essay
and listed in the Works Cited/References page. Use the style
(MLA/APA A minimum of three sources is required.
Due dates: See the calendar for final draft due dates.
Grading: See the grade sheet for a review on how your essay
will be graded.