AUSTIN, Texas —  Data shows that same-sex couples are more likely to foster or adopt than non-LGBTQ+ couples.

  • Same-sex couples more likely to adopt
  • Couple fostered 11-month-old child
  • Child became available for adoption

Mark Kuykendall and his husband Jay Shreedhara began the process of expanding their family about two years ago by becoming emergency foster parents.

"About a week later, we got a phone call that there was an 11-month-old that really needed a place to stay," said Kuykendall.

The family quickly bonded after the initial shock wore off.

"He made it very easy. It was like his personality was almost extremely friendly. He was not adversarial. He was just smiling a lot at me. That made it very easy to bond with him," said Shreedhara.

Over the next nine months, the couple was on edge, knowing Ajay could be returned to his biological family.

"We were just enjoying everything that we were learning. We were enjoying this connection we had without really thinking about it in the long-term," said Kuykendall

The couple eventually got the call they'd hoped for all along. Ajay was up for adoption and the new parents were first in line to become his permanent family.

"There was no discussion of should we or shouldn't we. We already knew from the first day," said Kuykendall.

About six more months went by before Ajay was officially adopted in April. Now, the new dads are enjoying being able to officially call Ajay their son and those simple moments at home.

"I think that every day is Father's Day. I learn so much from him," said Shreedhara.

The dads plan to go out for breakfast or lunch and just spend the day together as a family.

If you want to learn more about fostering or adoption, visit partnershipsforchildren.org.