U.S.

Soulforce and Atticus Circle announced today the launch of Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights, an online gathering place and educational resource for the millions of straight people who believe in equality for LGBT Americans.

After Congress ordered states in 1997 to move faster to find more families willing to adopt, child-welfare organizations joined together to get legislatures to allow any qualified parent to adopt, irrespective of sexual orientation.

A new report has shed light on disturbing new data. Young adults are growing old in foster care. They are "aging out" of the system without permanent families.

The number of single men adopting has more than doubled since 1998, according to a USA TODAY analysis of government statistics. Single men account for just 3% of all adoptions from foster care, but their share has risen.

Fost adopt may be the best bet for single men who want to adopt. Although single men are typically chosen less by women putting babies up for adoption, they are often welcomed in the foster care system.

Parenting can be challenging and there are times when you wish for more support. If you want to reach out and you're searching for a local group, learn more about Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere (COLAGE). COLAGE has supported and educated families run by gay and lesbian parents since the 1980's.

Foster Care is a wonderful experience but it shouldn't be a financial burden.

Before becoming a foster parent you must prove that you are financially fit to take care of your family without the foster care subsidy. If you are unable to care for your own family without the aid of the subsidy, you can not become a licensed foster parent. However, some people do become foster parents for the monthly subsidy. Agencies do their best to keep this from happening.

The National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) is the only national organization that supports foster parents at the state and local level in the United States. The group provides education and training to its members and the public.

The NFPA Mission Statement says the group works to "support foster parents in achieving safety, permanence and well-being for the children and youth in their care".

NFPA's website offers links to NFPA State Associations.