I am writing in appreciation of the articulate and sensitive letter from Eleanor Mann on the topic of child adoption by gay and lesbian families.

Marriage equality has been law in Massachusetts since 2004; preceding that gay and lesbian partners were permitted to foster and adopt children. Not only have homeless infants and toddlers been provided with loving parents but older children and teenagers, thrown into the street by birth parents who detested their “gayness,” have found the safe haven of an adoptive “forever home” as well.

At this point, my college student granddaughter has friends and classmates reared and nurtured by gay or lesbian parents.  The kids are all right.

If the writer espousing AIDS/HIV testing for lesbian and gay adoptive parents truly cares about the welfare of children, he or she might consider finger printing and background checks for heterosexual couples embarking on parenthood. The physical, emotional and sexual abuse inflicted on  America’s child-victims comes, overwhelmingly, alas, from their birth parents or a close relative.

As Ms. Mann wrote, “Help make this world a better place.”

Mona Howard, North Oxford, Mass.