GLAD works throughout New England to update state laws to affirm and protect LGBTQ families.

We are working to ensure all children have equal access to the security of a legal parent-child relationship, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, or the marital status, gender, or sexual orientation of their parents.

By pursuing legislative initiatives, legal efforts, and educating the public regarding LGBTQ families, we have accomplished our goal in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont, made significant improvements to New Hampshire law.

Connecticut:

The Connecticut Parentage Act was signed into law on June 1, 2021 and goes into effect on January 1, 2022. The new law will ensure that all children — regardless of the circumstances of their birth or the marital status, gender, or sexual orientation of their parents — have equal access to parentage.

Maine:

Maine’s updated parentage law took effect in July 2016, ensuring all children have the same legal rights regardless of the marital status or gender of the parents or the circumstances of the child’s birth.

Massachusetts:

The Massachusetts Parentage Act was signed in August 2024 and goes into effect on January 1, 2025. The law
updates the state’s forty-year-old parentage statutes to be inclusive of LGBTQ+ families, families formed through assisted reproduction, and families that include a de facto or functional parent. Learn more.

New Hampshire:

On July 20, 2020, Governor Sununu signed a bill into law ensuring expanded access to adoption, particularly for children of LGBTQ parents.

Rhode Island:

The Rhode Island Uniform Parentage Act was went into effect on January 1, 2021. Learn more about the law and the parents and advocates who fought to pass it.

Vermont:

The Vermont Parentage Act went into effect on July 1, 2018, updating the state’s parentage law to be modern and reflective of the great diversity of families in Vermont.