Florida Gay Adoption Ban Unconstitutional

Today a Florida circuit court today struck down a state law that bars lesbians and gay men from adopting. The court granted adoptions to our client Martin Gill, a North Miami resident who, along with his partner, has been raising two foster children since 2004.

The court ruled that the ban violated the equal protection guarantees of the state constitution because it singles out gay people and children raised by gay people for different treatment for no rational reason. The court also found that the ban denies children the right to permanency provided by federal and state law under the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997.

The courts decision comes after a four-day trial in October where the court heard from experts on childrens health and development and the justifications offered by the state for the ban. In reaching its decision, the court rejected the false assumptions and stereotypes about gay people that the state offered to justify the ban, holding that many reports and studies find that there are no differences in the parenting of homosexuals or the adjustment of their children. These conclusions have been accepted, adopted and ratified by the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatry Association, the American Pediatric Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Child Welfare League of America and the National Association of Social Workers. As a result, based on the robust nature of the evidence available in the field, this Court is satisfied that the issue is so far beyond dispute that it would be irrational to hold otherwise; the best interests of children are not preserved by prohibiting homosexual adoption.

Gill and his partner of more than eight years became foster parents to the two boys on December 11, 2004. The couple, who had been parents to seven other foster children over the years, was initially told that the placement would be temporary, but a plan to place the kids with their grandmother fell through. Both boys had significant health problems when they arrived in the home. The older boy, who was four at the time, was withdrawn and didnt speak. Today both boys are healthy, have lots of friends and are doing well in school. The older boy started out behind educationally and had to repeat the first grade, but with the couples help, he has progressed significantly.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Florida
• Gay
• Adoption
• Ban
• Unconstitutional
• ACLU
• atheist
• atheism
• proposition
• eight
• homosexual
• religion
• Martin
• Gill
• Circuit
• court
• miami
• dade
• judge
• and
• Safe
• Families
• Act
• of
• 1997

[polkadotbox2]

It is sad to see that many people still hate gays more than they love unwanted children. A loving, caring and nurturing home can be provided by any adults who possess those qualities of human kindness. Their sexual orientation has nothing to do with parenting skills.

25% of all children in this country are abused and/or neglected. The overwhelming majority of abused and neglected children see such abuse while in the care of their own, heterosexual parents.

Shame on those who teach hate.

[SeanChapin1]

On the subject of how far humankind has arrived, making derogatory statements such as describing gay adoption as "fag" adoption is not exactly the kind of action toward evolution of humanity that people would look back with pride.

If you ask me, I'd rather have a child adopted by a loving gay person than by a hateful straight person.

[rsb176]

@tms0206 I couldnt agree more! Nobody cares about the life that would be for the child! I got somthing he can adopt a shotgun! Put buckshot in it point the barrel into his face and pull the trigger!

[tms0206]

Why the fuck are kids living in foster care with ass porking fags! Most gay men are pedofiles! That guy only wants to adopt a victim to sodomize! Poor poor kids!

[boc1953]

@nastylefthook1 I'd say your mind's already destroyed. When did they get you?

[boc1953]

Not so long ago, it was against the law in some American states for a black person to marry a white person. One day a more civilised America will look back on this gay ban and feel the same shame as they now feel about racial vilification and discrimination. Shame that should be rightfully felt!

[eliotraincloud]

@easttx22 I saw you posting messages of a similar sentiment on another video. First of all let me give you a tip: if you want to voice your opinion then you should voice it in a nicer manner or else prepare to be dismissed as nothing more that a fucktarded, little troll. If the concept of two men or women raising a child is too huge for you to handle then I say to you this: If a child comes from a home where they are loved and they know it, and they're safe and not neglected then that is awesome

[easttx22]

america as to much freedom , fagot wants a kid get a women thats what there for cant shoot babys out your assholes

[BrownDarter]

Thank God for the "Yankee" transplant because it is the only thing that keeps this bible thumping backwards state from total collapse. When I heard the ruling today I knew it was a progressive judge not some TYPICAL FloriDUH bible thumping redneck thinking judge.

[aswar87]

@MrBongo43 Whats with the question mark?

[MrBongo43]

@aswar87 Child molester, ass molester, their both disgusting?