Boseman v. Jarrell

Brief Filed: 3/10
Court: North Carolina Supreme Court
Year of Decision: 2010

Read the full-text amicus brief (PDF, 1.3MB)

Addresses a case in which a conservative advocacy group seeks to invalidate an adoption order by which a biological mother and her lesbian partner documented their family relationship

Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Parenting

At issue in this case is a conservative advocacy group that seeks to invalidate an adoption order by which a biological mother and her lesbian partner documented their family relationship. APA was advised that about 250 lesbian and gay couples have used the second parent procedure in adoptions in North Carolina. These adoptions, as well as future adoptions, would be at risk if the challenge is successful. A group of conservative organizations has filed an amicus brief which argues that research shows that there are significant differences between children raised by same-sex couples and those raised by opposite-sex couples. APA was asked to file a responsive amicus brief that would present the court with an accurate description of the scientific evidence regarding children who are raised by same-sex parents and related research about stigma.

APA’s brief submitted to the Supreme Court of North Carolina refutes the arguments that second-parent adoptions by same-sex couples are harmful to children. This is ground that APA has covered many times in other briefs. 

On Dec. 20, 2010, the Supreme Court of North Carolina ruled that same-sex adoptions are void under their statutes.