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LGBT adoption refers to the Adoption of children by Lesbian , Gay , Bisexual , or Transgendered people. LEGAL STATUS AROUND THE WORLD Adoption by same-sex couples is legal in Guam , Andorra , Belgium , Iceland , the Netherlands , Sweden , South Africa , Spain , the United Kingdom and some parts of Canada and the United States . In Denmark , Germany , Israel and Norway "stepchild-adoption" is permitted, so that the partner in a Civil Union can adopt the natural (or sometimes even adopted) child of his or her partner. In the Republic of Ireland and some other countries, individual persons, whether heterosexual/homosexual, cohabiting/single may apply for adoption. In February 2006, France 's Court Of Cassation ruled that both partners in a same-sex relationship can have parental rights over one partner's biological child. The result came from a case where a woman tried to give parental rights of her two daughters to her partner whom she was in a civil union with.http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/25/ap/world/mainD8FVTSJO0.shtml On June 2, 2006 the Icelandic Parliament voted for a proposal accepting adoption, parenting and assisted insemination treatment for same-sex couples on the same basis as heterosexual couples. No member of the parliament voted against the proposal. The law went into effect on June 27, 2006. "Second-parent adoption" is a process by which a same-sex partner can adopt her or his partner's biological or adoptive child without terminating the first legal parent's rights. Second-parent adoption was started by the s. In , Prince Edward Island , and Nunavut . In the Yukon , the law regarding adoption is ambiguous. NDP MP Libby Davies , who is in a same-sex relationship, has campaigned for national uniformity when it comes to same-sex adoption. In Australia , same-sex adoption is legal in the Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia , while stepchild adoption is possible in Tasmania . In New Zealand, preliminary New Zealand Law Commission Reports and white papers have raised the issue already, while Metiria Turei , a Green Party Of New Zealand List MP raised the issue in late May 2006. In February 2005, the Greens had suggested that an adoption law reform clause should be added to the Relationships (Statutory References) Act 2005, which equalized heterosexual, lesbian and gay spousal status in New Zealand law and regulatory policy, apart from the Adoption Act 1955. While the measure was unsuccessful, it remains to be seen whether a reintroduced adoption law reform bill on its own would fare differently. http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3675250a6160,00.html A January 2005 ruling of the Israel i Supreme Court allowed step-child adoptions for same-sex couples. Israel previously allowed limited co-guardianship rights for non-biological parents.http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/01/011005isAdopt.htm In 2007 UK Catholic adoption agencies, comprising around a third of the voluntary sector, have said they will shut if forced to comply with new government legislation requiring them to enlist same-sex couples as potential adoptive parents. The government announced they will have to obey the law, although MP Ruth Kelly allowed them some extra time to comply. CONTROVERSY There is some controversy surrounding adoption by same-sex couples. The controversy generally concerns whether or not there will be negative consequences for children raised by same-sex couples. Specific questions include the potential for Gender Confusion , biased Sexual Orientation , or the general Well-being of such children. Social science research has shown that parents' sexual orientation has no bearing on that of children, and that children of LGBT couples fare as well as other children in many objective measures; the American Psychological Association, Child Welfare League of America, American Academy of Pediatrics, and many other relevant professional organizations believe LGBT parents to be as qualified as heterosexuals. Nevertheless, many object to LGBT parenting on moral or cultural grounds, and the issue is considered a part of the West's Culture War . For a brief survey of related arguments and Sociological studies, see the Main Article . A study by UCLA Law School's Williams Institute found that forbidding qualified gays and lesbians from adopting or fostering children could cost the United States between $87 million and $130 million per year. The study noted that gays and lesbians often take in children heterosexuals do not, including those who are older, disabled, HIV + from birth, or who have a history of misbehavior; the study claims that finding suitable heterosexual couples willing to care for hard-to-place children would be difficult, a potential problem given the issues faced by children in long-term foster care. (According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, "About 30% of children in foster care have severe emotional, behavioral, or developmental problems." "Facts For Families: Foster Care" , American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, May 2005.) Many same-sex couples are already coparenting children without legal status for the nonbiological parent; some advocates thus argue that adoption can simply normalize and add stability to an existing arrangement, while opponents of LGBT parenting contend that such arrangements are harmful to children and should not be encouraged. 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