The Center for Adoption Policy,
The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, and
The Justice Action Center at New York Law School present:

Gay and Lesbian Adoption: Past, Present, and Future

Friday, May 20, 2005, 9:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
New York Law School

Adoption law today reflects the dramatic changes in and growing inclusiveness of American society. This conference focused on the history of gay and lesbian adoption struggles, the current state of the law, and prospects for legal reform.

The conference was held at New York Law School, 47 Worth Street in Tribeca, New York City. It was the second annual conference focusing on adoption policy. For information on the first annual adoption policy conference, please visit the Intercountry Adoption Conference page.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
All events took place on Friday, May 20, 2005, in the Wellington Conference Center, 5th Floor, New York Law School.

9:15 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Welcome and Keynote Remarks

• Diane B. Kunz, Center for Adoption Policy
• Adam Pertman, Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute (EBD)
• Arthur Leonard, New York Law School

10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Panel I: The Gay and Lesbian Family in the United States

• Cynthia Russett, Yale University, Moderator
• David Strah, Author, "Gay Fathers"
• Judith Stacey, New York University, "On the Front Lines of the Family Wars"
• Scott Ryan, Florida State University, "Gay Men and Lesbian Adoptive Parents: Who Are They?"
• David Brodzinsky, Rutgers University and EBD, "EBD Survey of Adoption Agency Practice"

11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
Panel II: Roundtable on the Construction and Effect of Challenges to the Legislative and State Constitutional Bans on Gay and Lesbian Marriage and Adoption

• Kris Franklin, New York Law School, Moderator
• Gregory J. Wallance, Kaye Scholer LLP, "Fifty-State Survey of Gay and Lesbian Adoption Law"
• Leslie Cooper, American Civil Liberties Union, "Recent Challenges to Categorical Exclusions of Gay and Lesbian Adoptions and Fostering in Florida and Arkansas"
• Shannon Minter, National Center for Lesbian Rights, "The California Frontier: Litigating Exclusions to Gay and Lesbian Adoption and Marriage"
• Stuart Delery, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, "Appellate Litigation Challenging Gay and Lesbian Adoption"

1:15 p.m.–2:15 p.m.
Lunch break

2:15 p.m.–3:45 p.m.
Panel III: Gay and Lesbian Adoption in the United States: A Primer

• Jeanne Howard, Illinois State University and EBD, Moderator
• Jane Aronson, World Wide Orphans, "Choices in Adoption by Gay and Lesbian Individuals and Families"
• Rudy Estrada, LAMBDA Legal Defense and Education Fund, "LGBT Youth in Foster Care and Available for Adoption"
• Sharon Roszia, The Kinship Center, "The Magic of Unending Committment"
• Michael Colberg, Founding Co-Director of the Center for Family Connections, currently in private practice in New York, "Being a Child-Centered LGBT Parent"

4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Discussion with Panelists and Audience: Current Issues

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION

New York Law School has been certified by the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board as an Accredited Provider of Continuing Legal Education in the State of New York. This CLE program was approved for newly admitted and experienced attorneys for a maximum of six CLE credits in Professional Practice. Cost for non-New York Law School alumni seeking CLE credit was $150. Cost for New York Law School alumni seeking CLE credit was $125. For individuals not seeking CLE credit, the fee was $35. There was no fee for current New York Law School students or faculty. If you have questions regarding CLE from this program, please review the CLE page of the New York Law School website or contact the center.