To the editor:

The adoption of our son was finalized Oct. 1, 2007. He was born in Oklahoma City and we’ve had him since he was six hours old. I loudly applaud the family adopting from Nepal. We did the same thing, created beautiful multicultural, multiracial families through adoption. I encourage anyone considering adoption to know that domestic adoption DOES exist.

The reality of transracial adoption is quite simple. Children of color in the United States do not get adopted at the same rate as Caucasian children. Why? Good question. What I know is that beautiful, healthy children in need of homes are born multiple times each day in the United States but either don’t get adopted or are slow to be adopted.

Equally important is why it is so difficult for desirous, qualified families to adopt. Quite simply, economics. International adoption and same-race (Caucasian family and baby) start at $40,000 and take years. Transracial adoptions cost anywhere from $20,000 to $30,000 and can take very little time to accomplish. I don’t think the laws of supply and demand should apply to children.

No one will argue louder than me that ALL children need to be protected in the adoption process. However, people should not be precluded from creating a family simply because they cannot afford $20,000 upfront to begin the process. Maybe abortion opponents and adoption proponents should work together to create viable options so more people can take advantage of a wonderful way to create a family.

Diane B. McGee,

Lawrence