Parental Rights Battles: LGBTQIA+ Families Under Pressure

We are in a fight for our lives.

LGBTQIA+ families in the U.S. face a tough road when it comes to securing and keeping their parental rights. The legal system, which varies wildly from state to state, often makes things even more complicated, leaving many families vulnerable to discrimination and bias.

Legal Hurdles

Non-biological parents in LGBTQIA+ families often struggle to be legally recognized. Without formal adoption or parentage orders, these parents can be treated like strangers to their own kids, which means they don’t get a say in important decisions like medical care or education. This lack of recognition becomes a huge problem during separations or emergencies. Adoption isn’t always an easy fix either—some states allow agencies to deny LGBTQIA+ couples based on "religious beliefs," making it harder for families to grow.

Custody Battles

When LGBTQIA+ parents split up, custody battles can get ugly. Courts sometimes deny custody or visitation rights to non-biological parents, even if they’ve been a child’s prima…