We are pleased to invite members of the LGBT adoption community (birthparents, adoptees, and adoptive parents), adoption professionals, researchers, and practitioners to submit presentations and papers that address issues of representation for the “LGBT Adoptions: Our Community, Our Voices Conference” at the University of Arizona, Tucson.  Traditionally adoption conferences have focused on the psychosocial well-being and adjustment of adopted children, adoption policies, or best practices by adoption professionals.  For this conference, we aim to gather adoption triad members and share the struggles and joys of the LGBT adoption community through their own experiences, voices, and with their peers and adoption service providers.  Our goals are:

-       to create opportunities for mentorship with LGBT prospective adoptive parents and other triad members
-       to provide educational opportunities for adoption service providers (CEW/CLEs)
-       to develop sustainable outreach efforts between LGBT prospective adoptive parents and adoption service providers locally in Arizona and online

We anticipate a unique mix of presenters and participants, from notable bloggers to adopted youth, and encourage creative responses to the following issues:
-       barriers to LGBT adoptions
-       access to support networks and information
-       maintaining relationships in open adoptions
-       protections needed for LGBT adoption triad members
-       narratives on domestic, international, and IVF adoptions

We welcome submissions on additional issues that focus on issues of representation for the LGBT adoption community.

Submission Guidelines
Time allotted:
Papers/Presentations: 20 to 45 minutes
Panels/Workshops:  90 minutes

Performances or multimedia presentations are also welcomed.

Submissions will only be accepted via email at ethicainfo@gmail.com.

Submission Due:  May 1, 2010
Acceptance Notices:  June 1, 2010

Proposal information
1.     Title of Presentation/Paper/Panel/Workshop
2.     Format (Presentation/Paper/Panel/Workshop)
3.     Primary presenter and affiliation(s) with the adoption community, organizationally, professionally, or personally
4.     Address, Email, Phone, and Website/Blog if available.
5.     Co-presenter(s) and affiliations(s)
6.     Contact information for co-presenter(s)
7.     CV’s, resumes, or if unavailable, a brief biography.
8.     Content description (500 words or less)
9.     Summary for website and program
10.   Has this presentation been presented prior to this conference?  When and where?

Ethica, founded in 2002 as a non-profit organization, is dedicated to its mission to advance ethical considerations and protections for all members of the adoption community:  biological parents, adopted children and the adults they become, and adoptive parents.  This conference is made possible by a grant from the Alliance Fund whose mission is to develop and enhance resources that benefit the LGBT&S community in Southern Arizona through philanthropy, endowment building, and collaboration with straight allies and friends.

No related posts.