Professor Robin Fretwell Wilson, director of the Family Law and Policy Program at the College of Law, participated in a July 19th panel at the Cato Institute titled "Solomon's Decree: Conflicts in Adoption and Child Placement Policy."
Panelists discussed topics such as the conflict between LGBT advocates and some conservative religious agencies over the latter’s participation in state child placement systems; sources and possible solutions of the crisis in international adoption; and the proper role and practical effect of birth mother choice.
Wilson also spoke with Deseret News and Forbes in the days leading up to and following the conference at Cato.
"We need to start over and have a model that has all hands on deck," she said. "Every gay couple who wants to adopt needs to be able to be helped in that process without feeling humiliated, and every agency needs to stay in the market to provide homes for children."
Wilson suggests a plan modeled on the Child Care and Development Block Grant Program, which would give money directly to families ready to adopt, allowing them to choose the agency — religious or secular — that best fits their needs. She planned to present this idea at the conference.
"Both sides must stop fighting for their team to win, and figure out a plan where everybody wins. That means putting children first," she said.
Deseret News piece
Forbes piece
Cato Institute conference livestream