For some gay couples, the idea of one child is daunting. But for the Brangelina of Arizona, Steven and Roger Ham, 12 is the magic number. The Hams have been raising 12 kids together in a state that doesn’t allow same-sex couples to marry or adopt, yet they have recently scored a victory in bringing their family even closer together.
Steven and Roger adopted the first member of their brood in 2003, a boy named Michael. But after witnessing the boy’s distress over being separated from his four siblings, who had been spread out among different foster homes, the Hams grew determined to reunite the five kids.
And they didn’t stop there.
Over the past ten years, 42 foster children have passed through the Hams’ door, with the couple eventually adopting an even dozen. In 2007, Roger changed his last name to Ham so that everyone would have the same last name and to avoid any confusion during pick-up from school or the doctor’s office.
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However, since Arizona prohibits same-sex adoption as well as the adoption of one same-sex partner’s child by another, 10 of the kids were legally-bound to Steven. Two of the kids were adopted in Washington, where same-sex adoption is legal and therefore both Steven and Roger’s names appeared on the birth certificates.
That is until last month, when the Hams received a call that would change their family forever.
Shelly Kreb, the lawyer who helped them adopt in Washington, offered to facilitate the re-adoption of their 10 other kids for the price of one — $1,500. On July 13, Judge Diane Woolard called to inform them that from now on both Steven’s and Roger’s names would appear on each of their children’s birth certificates.
Thanks to a lengthy profile in the The Arizona Republic last year, Steven and Roger Ham were named two of Esquire‘s “Fathers of the Year 2012.” You can see the super dads in action below:
Source: The Arizona Republic
QJ201
It’s nice to see gay men taking in children born of heterosexual unions and abandoned. I’d rather see THIS as a reality show than one about some fundamentalist white christians pumping out child after child in the name of god.
shannon
THIS……….IS THE PICTURE OF A “FAMILY”!!! I LOVE IT………I WISH YOU BLESSING WITH ALL YOUR KIDS….
Josephst
Nice that they could jointly adopt but, gay or straight, 12 kids is too many.
I won't grow up
Look America….THIS IS FAMILY!! TWO loving parents in ONE house. These men should be held as an example of what a family is. Not two gay men with kids but a true well raised family.
randalaw
@QJ201: to QJ201– Yours is a great idea and I agree wholeheartedly. It would be difficult, however, to find gay parents who would subject their children to the ill effects of such an experience–even for the cash flow increase–that a reality show would impose. Gay parents are more concerned about the welfare of their children than about the money or their own 15 minutes of fame.
InscrutableTed
They’d better not get a reality show.
InscrutableTed
Okay, I change my mind. As much as I hate reality shows about families with lots of children, I would totally watch this one.
Roxorz
Well GUESS WHAT!!!?? On August 18, at 10:00 PM OWN network is airing a 60 minute special titled ” 10 kids 2 dads” about this family and their life. My guess is if people tune in and it gets decent ratings OWN might turn it into a series.
Roxorz
Update—Apparantly this OWN documentary is about a different 2 gay dads who have 10 kids mostly ethnic. Not the 2 dads above.
MJ (different from the other one)
the gay version of Cheaper by the dozen! yay!! but seriously, good for them
jason
I don’t have a problem with them raising 12 kids. If it brings joy to the kids, good on them.
Let’s just rejoice in this wonderful story.
cosmos35
Now this is a positive image of Gay men…..amazing!