Gay adoption by legal couples has become a growing controversy over the past decade, affecting the lives of many children and families. Most states allow gays and lesbians to adopt individually, but do not allow them to adopt as a legally recognized couple. In 1976, the American Psychological Association stated that "the sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation...of the natural or potential adoptive or adoptive parents should not be the sole or primary variable considered in cases of custody or placement”. Historically, the benefits of same-sex adoption have been recognized, but have not yet been legalized. However, adoption by same-sex couples should be legalized to provide children with a new family environment option, to give couples the right to have children and start their own families, and because they have the same ability to raise their children in a positive manner simply as heterosexual couples do. With countless children living in temporary foster homes or orphanages, allowing same-sex adoption would reduce the number of children living in such unwanted situations. There has been a recent move to legalize same-sex adoption, but most countries do not allow it. In the past four years, Uruguay became the first country in Latin America to allow same-sex couples to adopt children together. Other countries are following the same path, such as the Netherlands, South Africa and Sweden, but the United States has not yet implemented this transition (At issue: Gay Adoption). “The best interests of the child” has been the watchword for government decisions for centuries (Dickerson). Regarding the topic of same-sex adoption, the best interests of the child relate to providing a home and family environment for children who cannot...... middle of paper ... ...rents can be the best parents. " LiveScience . TechMedia Network, January 15, 2012. Web. February 15, 2014. .Parker, Jeff. "Judges Leave Florida. Gays Adoption Ban Florida Today, 2002. Web. Savage, David G. and Maura Dolan . “Experts Defend Gay Parenting.” Los Angeles Times April 6, 2013: A.1 Web. Sioco, Maria C. “What Makes a Family? A closer look at gay adoption. " Children's Voice Online. Np, November 2009. Web. February 18. 2014. .