OUTINCT2019

LGBTQ+
&
Foster Care
Opportunities
by Chris Popilowski, Senior Foster Care Recruiter
Wheeler Clinic
As a recruiter, I attend many events
in the community. I get a number
of different questions but none that
surprised me and changed my way
of thinking as much as one in particular.
As I stood at my table, with all my foster care
info and small items with our logo on it, ready to
disseminate to anyone that would take it, I was
approached by an older gentleman. I could immediately
tell he had something important to ask as
he hurried over. Before I could introduce myself,
the man asked, “Is it illegal for same sex-couples to
adopt in Connecticut?”
My immediate answer was, “Of course it’s not
illegal. We have numerous same-sex couples in our
program.” He then went on to tell me that this was,
or previously had been, the case in many states. I
assured him that this was not the case in Connecticut
and that Wheeler Clinic Foster Care is proud of all the
amazing work our same-sex foster parents do. He was
happy to hear this, thanked me, and went on his way.
But this wasn’t where this question ended for me.
The magnitude of the problem of not allowing
same-sex or transgender couples to be foster or
adoptive parents is quite obvious. Children need
homes. In this state, we are facing a crisis, and
we need homes for them more than ever. What
we don’t need is to make outdated and unfair
judgments of people based on how they identify.
I look for good homes for our kids. A good home
does not have anything to do with a person’s
sexual orientation or gender identity. It isn’t about
what they look like or where they live. It’s about
who they are on the inside, how they treat people,
and how much compassion and concern they have
for those around them. And we can’t overlook the
need for patience.
How many caring and loving parents have not
even approached the table because of a fear of
rejection? Even one is too many.
For information about foster care opportunities,
call 860.793.7277 or email FosterCarePrograms@
Wheelerclinic.org or www.wheelerclinic.org/foster.
LGBTQ+ GUIDE OF CT | 11