A Manchester charity has promoted fostering and adoption within the LGBT+ community.
LGBT+ Adoption and Fostering Week kicked off on March 3, an annual campaign led to encourage more same-sex couples to expand their families.
Adoption and fostering have long been pressing challenges in Manchester, with recent data indicating a decline in fostering applications across the region.
In response to this, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority launched an initiative last year to encourage more LGBT+ couples to consider fostering.
The need for more inclusive and supportive services is particularly critical within the LGBT+ community, as individuals and couples often face additional barriers when it comes to the adoption and fostering process.
Proud 2 b Parents is a Manchester-based charity founded with the mission to enhance the health and well-being of LGBT+ parents, carers, and their children, and to advocate for greater inclusivity within the adoption system.
With 6.6% of Manchester’s population identifying as LGB+, the city is seeing a growing demand for services that can meet the needs of LGBT+ individuals who want to build families.
One in five adoptions in the UK were to same-sex couples as of 2023.
Matt Taylor-Roberts, founder and managing director of Proud 2 b Parents, said: “Through our work, we strive to create a more inclusive society where all families can thrive.”
The charity’s commitment to equality and inclusion was recently recognised when Proud 2 b Parents won the charity or community initiative of the year award 2024 at the British LGBTQ+ Awards.
In 2024 alone, Proud 2 b Parents supported over 1,061 individuals, including 460 children.
Beyond adoption and fostering, Proud 2 b Parents has worked to address health disparities within the LGBT+ community and create stronger relationships between same-sex families and wider society.
For several families in Manchester, Proud 2 b Parents has been described as a “second family” where they feel “seen, supported, and valued”.
Addressing hurdles: discrimination and hate crimes
Discrimination and hate crimes continue to be significant barriers for many same-sex couples, particularly within the adoption and fostering systems.
A survey revealed that 13% of LGBT+ people have experienced unequal treatment from staff due to their sexual orientation, while 23% witnessed discriminatory or negative remarks by healthcare staff.
Since 2014, the UK has dropped 17 places in the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association rankings.
In response to this, Proud 2 b Parents has organised several specialised training programmes in healthcare settings and corporate organisations.
Looking ahead
While Manchester has made significant strides in supporting LGBT+ adoption and fostering, ongoing challenges still remain.
Proud 2 b Parents wants to see a society where LGBT+ families are “fully embraced, empowered and integrated.”
The organisation hopes that “through education, advocacy and comprehensive support services we aim to create a world where every family is celebrated, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”
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