November is National Adoption Month.
While there are a lot of kids out there who need good, stable, loving, nurturing, protective, providing 'forever families' (as they're called in the adoption world), there is a lot of legislation out there preventing children from finding such homes.
Which is why I'm relieved Obama is still President of the US. He has publicly stated that families headed by gay couples are equal to any other family. His administration does not defend DOMA.
This is a big deal. Huge, especially considering that more and more states are opening their doors to full marriage equality. The most significant byproduct of marriage equality is family equality.
Many people believe that a child deserves a mom and a dad. I used to believe this until I asked myself: What is truly unique about a male-female parenting team? Beyond anything external or socially driven... nothing.
And what is truly important, vital, and ideal for a child? Parents who have done their research on parenting. Parents who have an arsenal of skills such as redirection. Parents who provide for their children unconditionally.
The most important provisions: love, encouragement, shelter, nutrition, clothing, education, and an example/guidance of what it means to be a good person in general.
That is the ideal parent.
Legislation supporting families headed by gay couples pushes away the arbitrary definition of ideal parents and toward where it should be.
Obama not defending DOMA plus more states incorporating family equality is a very promising formula for making more families available to adopt those kids waiting for their forever families.
