A fiber optic adapter (736/836) includes a body configured to mate a first fiber optic connector (12) with a second fiber optic connector (50), the first and second fiber optic connectors (12,50) including latches (60) for mating with catches (771) of the adapter (736/836) for releasably engaging the first and second connectors (12,50) with the fiber optic adapter (736/836), wherein the latches (60) are configured to be unlatched from the catches (771) by direct contact with the latches (60). The adapter (736/836) includes a release mechanism (702/802) for allowing a user to release the latch (60) of at least one of the first and second fiber optic connectors (12,50) from the adapter (736/836) without directly contacting the latch (60) of the at least one of the first and second fiber optic connectors (12,50).