At GWK Academy, we believe Pride is not only a celebration of identity—it’s a celebration of love and the many beautiful ways we build our families. In honor of Pride, we partnered with one of our incredible family-building partners, Spence-Chapin, to spotlight just a few of the extraordinary families created with their help through adoption. .
Ashley, NY
“I did a summer abroad in college, and my volunteer assignment was working in a local orphanage. I saw the extreme need for parents for these kids, and at that time I vowed to adopt when I could. My ex-wife and I ended up adopting three children together—Tadiyos, Josie, and Desmond!” — Ashley
Ashley is a mom of three who grew her family through adoption. She adopted her third child, Desmond, through Spence-Chapin’s South Africa Adoption Program. Adopting as an LGBTQ+ couple had its challenges, she said. “After our first international adoption where I had to pose as a ‘friend,’ it was so refreshing to travel to South Africa and be treated as equal parents by all involved.”
Ashley and her ex-wife divorced in 2017. Ashley remarks that it was difficult to adjust to single parenthood, but before long she met the perfect partner for her—Amy. Her ex-wife also remarried, and they remark that the kids have loved both their new partners from the beginning. The kids are proud to announce that they have “four moms.”
If you’re in the LGBTQ+ community and considering adoption, here are a few words of wisdom from Amy: “Don’t be intimidated by the process but definitely seek out an agency that is open to your family and celebrates you! Do your homework on the type of child (age, background, special needs, etc.) you feel you can parent — there are so many resources out there to help with these questions and decisions, and a good adoption agency with experience can help walk you through this.”
Allison and Courtney, New Jersey
Meet Allison & Courtney! Two moms living in New Jersey who adopted their son, Hudson, last year.
They have always believed that family comes in many forms and can be found in different ways, and that our purpose in life is to love one another. “From the beginning, we knew we wanted to grow our family through adoption. The process with Spence-Chapin was even more special because our child’s birth mom chose us.”
They adopted their son through Spence-Chapin’s Domestic Adoption Program and have been navigating parenthood together ever since. “Since adopting, our lives have been filled with so much joy! Becoming parents has been rewarding, challenging, and beautiful all at once.”
As a family, they love to take walks to the beach, spend time in their backyard, and explore NYC together.
The best part of parenthood so far? “The best part is getting to see Hudson grow and change! We’ve had so much fun being parents, and Hudson makes us laugh every day!”
Raymond and Robbi, NY
“As gay dads, it’s important for us to live openly and show other LGBTQIA+ people that it is possible to become parents!” — Raymond @raymondjlee
Raymond and his husband Robbi (@robbikearns) knew they wanted to be parents when they first started dating. They looked into surrogacy and foster-to-adopt programs, but ultimately felt in their hearts that adoption was the journey they wanted to go on.
Fast forward a few years, and they adopted an amazing daughter through Spence-Chapin’s Domestic Adoption Program. “Adoption was an exciting roller coaster adventure for us. It was such a thorough process. We are so glad we had to do all the classes and educational exercises together because it helped us get on the same page as parents.”
Since adopting their daughter, life has been a busy adventure. They love witnessing life through her eyes, and are focused on raising her to be the best human she can be.
To celebrate Pride this year, they’re getting crafty! Their daughter made a pair of rainbow rhinestone sneakers that she is excited to wear to all of this year’s Pride events in Upstate New York.
A word of advice for those considering adoption? “Be patient and communicate as much as you can. The waiting process can be stressful so make sure to continue living your life: go to dinners, go on trips, watch movies, have date nights, sleep in. Trust the process and know that your right child will come home.”
The Joskens, NY
“We’ve been given the gift of breaking the norm, so be the parent you always wanted to be and more. Don’t let the world hold you back from being the best family you can be. Lean into being an LGBTQ+ family. We’re the best!” — Greg, Spence-Chapin Adoptive Parent
Greg and his husband always felt adoption would be their first choice when it came to which parenthood path to choose. They strongly believe that given family, chosen family, and found family all hold equal weight, and choosing to adopt was a no brainer for them.
Like many other families, they had ups and downs in their adoption journey. “Given all the external factors that play into the process, it is the ultimate exercise in knowing what you can and can’t control. That is a hard lesson to learn—but ultimately results in something truly beautiful.”
Now they’re living life as a family of 3, and feel like it’s always been that way! “What’s the most wild is how it feels like it was always this way. This kiddo is so at home with us.”
They’re celebrating Pride this year like every other year, surrounded by friends and family—with plenty of disco music!
Gerard, NY
“There are children already out there who are looking for homes. We wanted our home to be one of those.” — Gerard, Spence-Chapin Adoptive Parent
Gerard and his husband saw the need for children to find their forever homes and adopted their daughter in 2017. Since then, they’ve had many laughs, tears of joy, and all their heart strings pulled as they’ve watched their daughter grow up in a family full of love.
“Imagine watching a childhood favorite film of your own and seeing your child experience it for the first time. Seeing them respond in the same way you did, it’s a feeling that is almost indescribable.”
They’re celebrating Pride this month the same way they do every month—by being themselves! They’ve taught their daughter how important it is to be proud of who she is and the family she comes from.
A word of advice for those considering adoption? “Run, don’t walk. Even if it’s a tiny thought in your head, go and find out more about it. Go to an event Spence-Chapin is holding and meet some of the other families. After our first orientation meeting, we were so moved and motivated to go ahead with the process. I wouldn’t trade our choice and family for anything in the world.”
Learn more about adoption by enrolling in GWK Academy for free today.
