b'FAMILYCreating the Modern FamilyWhats involved for queer couples keen on starting a family todayBy Sarah B. HoodT hese days, same-sex couples have aThat said, it remains a challenging optionBut many couples feel thats not something host of options available to them iffor those who have their hearts set on healthythey want to do. they want to start a familyfromyoung infants. In most cases, couples needMost of the children waiting for adoption all the way to surrogacy. No longerto be prepared to make a commitment to anpermanency are over the age of 12, notes is it a rare thing to come across openly same- older child who may have had a difficult startMurphy. They may be living with siblings, sex couples with children. In fact, its fairlyin life. With better reproductive educationand they may be living with visible or invisible commonplace, and there are many differentand less stigma about children born outsidedisabilities, like fetal alcohol spectrum paths to get there.marriage, it is very difficult to find a healthydisorder. Most will have experienced The traditional consideration is adoptionnewborn to adopt in Canada, says Ellendevelopmental trauma just because they havesame-sex couples in Canada are as eligibleEmbury, partner with Carbert Waite LLP,been part of the child welfare systemto adopt as any other family. Adoption isa Calgary-based law firm with expertise inin Canada. regulated by each province and territory,surrogacy and fertility.Those couples who do choose to adopt will but adoption is open and inclusive to allIf you are comfortable working withencounter a far more open and transparent Canadians, including singles and same-sexpublic adoption agencies who are typicallysystem. Children are no longer routinely couples, says Cathy Murphy, executiveplacing children who are older and may havegiven up for adoption with the assumption director of the Adoption Council of Canada,come from a background of abuse, thats anthat they will never know their birth parents, based in Ottawa.amazing and wonderful thing, adds Embury.for instance. Adoption disclosure records Issue 2 2021 | QBiz CANADA |11'