Michigan Journal of Gender & Law Volume 19 Issue 1 2012 Displaced Mothers, Absent and Unnatural Fathers: LGBT Transracial Adoption Kim H. Pearson Gonzaga University School of Law Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.law.umich.edu/mjgl Part of the Family Law Commons, Juvenile Law Commons, Law and Gender Commons, Law and Race Commons, and the Sexuality and the Law Commons Recommended Citation Kim H. Pearson, Displaced Mothers, Absent and Unnatural Fathers: LGBT Transracial Adoption, 19 MICH. J. GENDER & L. 149 (2012). Available at: https://repository.law.umich.edu/mjgl/vol19/iss1/3 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at University of Michigan Law School Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Michigan Journal of Gender & Law by an authorized editor of University of Michigan Law School Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. DISPLACED MOTHERS, ABSENT AND UNNATURAL FATHERS: LGBT TRANSRACIAL ADOPTION fQr If Pearson* INTRODUCTION * 150 I. NON-NEUTRAL CLAIMS * 154 A. In rejN. 154 B. History of Claims and Fears . 158 1. Race-Based Claims . 161 2. Orientation Transmission Fears . 168 II. STAGING A COMPETITION 174 A. Brfino andABCNews . 175 B. Good Fathers - 179 C. Absent Versus Unnatural . 183 D. Patriarchy Versus Privilege . 190 III. COSTS OF STAGING A COMPETITION * 194 A. DisplacingMothers: Black Women, Abortion and Foster Care . 195 B. ObscuringParents: LGBTs of Color, Low Income, or Both . 199 C. Fixing Identities: Black Boys, White Gay Men, Black Fathers - 204 D. Acknowledging Adoptees: ProvidingMore Resourcesfor Adoptees . 207 CONCLUSION * 214 APPENDIXES 215 * Assistant Professor Gonzaga University School of Law.