FROM THIRD PARTIES TO PARENTS: THE CASE OF LESBIAN COUPLES AND THEIR CHILDREN

A lesbian couple decides to bring a child into their relationship and to raise that child together, with each of them acting as a parent. They have two options: they may adopt, and, although some states allow a joint adoption by the couple, it is common for only one partner to adopt the child. Or they may choose insemination of one partner with donor semen, whichever route they select, they welcome the child into their family as two parents, and they raise the child that way for some period of time and if the couple separates the child may remain with the biological (or legally adoptive) mother, who permits ongoing contact, even joint custody, by her ex-partner for a period of time. Adapted from the source document.