Brook Rose and Gregg Busch with their newly-adopted son, Nolan Reese Rose-Busch, at last year’s adoption day proceeding. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Superior Court Chief Judge Lee Satterfield and Family Court Presiding Judge Zoe Bush signed the final adoption papers for more than 20 proud couples, including several same-sex couples, at the 27th Annual D.C. Adoption Day Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 23.

The event, held at the D.C. Superior Court’s Moultrie Courthouse, was organized to celebrate the joy of adoption and encourage area residents to consider adopting or fostering a child in the city’s public child welfare system, according to a statement released by the court.

The D.C. Child and Family Services Agency, which co-hosted the event, has encouraged same-sex couples to consider adopting children in the District. According to the statement released by the court, the CFSA is currently seeking “permanent, loving, adoptive homes for 123 children in foster care in D.C.”

D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, and CFSA Director Brenda Donald were among those participating in the Adoption Day celebration.

Charles DeSantis and his husband, David McDermott, were among the gay and lesbian couples whose adoption papers were signed by one of the judges at the courthouse celebration, according to a report by the Washington Post. DeSantis and McDermott are among a growing number of couples that apply for and are approved to adopt two children at the same time, court spokesperson Leah Gurowitz told the Blade.

The statement released by the court says those interested in learning more about becoming adoptive or foster parents are invited to call the CFSA hotline at 202-671-LOVE.