Each person’s definition of happiness is determined on an individual basis. Every human being strives to achieve their specific definition of happiness. This quest for happiness is often a lifelong goal. For some, happiness means money or career success; often, it is something so essential as love. However, not just romantic love but familial love also denotes a sense of completion and joy for many people. It is hard to fathom, but some are denied their source of happiness by being prohibited from their desire to create a family through adoption based on the simple fact of their sexual orientation. Unfortunately, this is a reality for some because, in several places, gay adoption is prohibited and denied. Gay adoption was only legalized in the United States of America in 2017, and some other countries still do not recognize gay adoption legally. Currently, many communities and organizations believe that gay and lesbian individuals should not be allowed to adopt children for reasons not supported by legitimate facts. Studies and anecdotal records have proven how gay adoption is both rewarding and life-altering on a practical level. There are often misconceptions and no plausible research to support the restriction of gay adoption. Moreover, gays and lesbians should be allowed to adopt children because biology and sexuality do not hinder parental effectiveness.

Following this, studies have shown that biology does not necessarily correlate with parental effectiveness. According to the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, several factors help determine parenting style. The three main ones are parent characteristics, child characteristics, and contextual and sociocultural characteristics, none of which call into question the sexuality or the biology of the parent. “Parenting is a complex process in which parents and children impact one another” (Prinze 97). Knowing that sexuality does not affect the parent’s role in providing a duty of care is a solid reason to allow for gay adoptions. Comparably, in the article “Gay parents in Cuba Demand Legal Right to Adopt,” a gay father who is not biologically related to a same-sex partner’s child states, “It is very hard…and even frustrating that I have no legal rights over my boy. …There is nothing legal to define or protect our relationship” (Gonzalez 1). Therefore, this shows that this father cares for his partner’s son as though he was his own and yet they are not biologically related. Cuban law does not recognize this nonbiological bond legally. This proves that biology does not ensure a strong familial bond; it is something that can be built and cultivated. Thus, people of all gender identities should be allowed to formulate lasting relationships recognized in a court of law. Many organizations and people still do not acknowledge gay parents as genuine caregivers even though there has been no legitimate research to back this claim. If a caregiver successfully provides love and proper care for the child, logically, it should not matter if the parent is gay and not related to the child. Likewise, the article “Md. Should Embrace Gay Adoption”, discusses how according to two significant medical associations, American Medical Association and American Psychological Association,”... there's no reason gay and lesbian partners, whether married or single, can’t be just as good parents as their heterosexual counterparts when they are equally committed to their children’s well-being” (Baltimore Sun). Concurrently, the most important thing to consider about gay adoption is that it comes down to the child’s well-being. Therefore, this evidence displays how a child having two gay parents that are not necessarily biologically related to them does not affect the child in the long run. As long as caregivers adequately provide for a child, the right to adopt should not be taken away from specific individuals just because of their sexual orientation. Nevertheless, while studies show that not having two biological parents is not necessarily a bad influence on children, the more common reason people are against gay adoption is misconceptions about gay individuals entirely.

 According to psychological evidence, gay adoption is not harmful to children. For example, the article “10 Anti-Gay Myths Debunked”, details that the American Psychological Association stated that ¨ same-sex couples are remarkably similar to heterosexual couples…parenting effectiveness and the adjustment, development and psychological well-being of children is unrelated to parental sexual orientation” (Schlatter, Steinback). This evidence implies why same-sex couples should be allowed to adopt because, according to psychological research, homosexual and heterosexual parents are quite similar, and the overall well-being of children is not affected by a caregiver’s sexuality. That is what should primarily matter in the argument concerning gay adoption, the child's general emotional and mental state. Subsequently, gay adoption does not harm the child being adopted. More children being taken out of the adoption system and being cared for properly is better than the child struggling no matter the conditions. Following this, there is a common and ignorant misconception that homosexuality can be passed on and that gay people contain some virus or sickness. In an interview with a gay man, Riuber Alarcon, from the article, “Gay Parents in Cuba Demand Legal Right to Adopt”, the individual is responding to an old misconception that gay parents will pass their “sickness” onto their child. He states that “Most of us came from heterosexual families, if it was logical that homosexuality was something you could catch or learn at home we would have been like our parents” (Gonzalez 3). Furthermore, the evidence signifies how many individuals, groups, and organizations who believe that gay people should not be allowed to adopt are basing their claims on antiquated misunderstandings that do not pertain to contemporary society. In addition, many of the misconceptions that people use to justify a prohibition on gay adoption are rooted in homophobic ideas that gay parents are sick. Also, these misconceptions are based on societal stigmas that prevent many gay individuals from experiencing happy family life. Due to that fact, old ideologies should not be the basis for judging various actions that individuals may or may not take, such as the right to adopt. Succeeding this, a case study by a group of psychologists was conducted to see whether or not children being raised by homosexual couples were better or worse off than children raised by heterosexual couples. The article describing the case study, “Adopted children thrive in same-sex households, study shows”, states that “...researchers found that the children of gays and lesbians were virtually indistinguishable from children of heterosexual parents” (Munsey). This study shows that children of homosexual and heterosexual parents are not affected by their caregivers' sexuality. Ultimately, the type of adult a child will become in the future is not due to whether the child has two heterosexual biological parents or homosexual nonbiological parents; it is due to how those individuals decide to provide for their child. This disproves the myth that children of gay parents do not turn out as well as children of heterosexual parents. Research shows that a classic 1940s version of a family with a biological mother and father may not always be the only situation where a child can be parented successfully. 

To conclude, gays and lesbians should have the same right to adopt children as heterosexual parents do. While there are numerous misconceptions and preconceived notions about gay parents, such as they will infect their child with their “gay disease”, it is vital to acknowledge that all people should be treated with equality. This is a concept taught in elementary school, so why does it sometimes not apply in the discussion of gay adoption? That is because countless laws that aim to prevent adoption by gay and lesbian individuals are derived from blatant homophobia and not legitimate factors. Hence, while society is becoming more openly accepting, it is still paramount to realize that many fundamental rights such as people not being able to marry whom they love or not being able to complete their families, are still under attack. If gay adoption is not more openly accepted, there will be a plethora of children in the foster care system and more children ending up in abusive households. Additionally, it is important for lawmakers and organizations to realize that children are the future. By preventing gay people from adopting, they are preventing children from having the most essential thing anyone should have, a real childhood.