Ensure Tani's Rights as Jubi's Parent

Tani and Jenn were married in February 2021. In August of 2024, we had our much longed-for baby girl.

Currently, Tani and Jenn are both on the birth certificate as parents. Here in Illinois, both of us are legally recognized as such. However, other states do not have to recognize Tani's parentage.

In order to remedy this, a second parent adoption (sometimes called step-parent) is necessary. This is a step straight parents do not need to go through, and it's absurd that Tani must adopt her own daughter. We want to guarantee Tani's ability to protect and care for Jubi, and for our non-traditional family, this is something we see as absolutely necessary.

Our concern is that with the direction our country is moving in, there may come a time when Tani is no longer recognized as the legal parent in our home state. If this were to happen, Tani would not have a legal connection to Jubi, impacting her ability to make healthcare, religious, educational, and other imperative decisions that are in Jubi's best interest. She would legally have no connection to Jubi. Our biggest concern lies in Tani's potential inability to give and receive medical information for emergent care should that need ever arise.

We ask for your help in raising the funds to retain an attorney who is well-versed in LGBTQ second parent adoptions. The average quote we received was $3,000 for everything involved. We appreciate every person that has been, continues to be, and will be supporting us along the way on our non-traditional parenting journey. Please, please, please share this GoFundMe so more eyes are on it and donate as you're able.

Thank you so incredibly much.

Jenn & Tani (Jubi and the boys too)