An update to: Court Rules in Favor of Gay Man's Adoption of 2 Children

Given the importance of this issue, SAVE, at the invitation of the family, sent a SAVE Board Member so that we could be in solidarity with the plaintiff and to observe and report back on the proceedings and the outcome.Frank Gill, foster parent to 2 half-brothers, ages 4 and 8, whom he was seeking to adopt, was told today by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman that "It is clear that sexual orientation is not a predictor of a person's ability to parent.''   Our board member reported that, "the judge made the ruling using two different reasons. First, she said that it was unconstitutional for a gay person not to be able to adopt. The second argument was that children up for adoption are also protected under equal protection laws in being given the chance to be adopted by someone who would make a good parent regardless of their sexual orientation." It's our understanding that an appeal will be filed and that the ACLU will see the appeal through; although there is still some uncertainty as to what type of appeal the state will pursue. 

SAVE views this court decision as an important step in the right direction.  The decision recognizes the principle of equal rights for all prospective adoptive parents regardless of sexual orientation.  But more importantly, however, this ruling upholds the interests of Florida children.  The court refused to allow antiquated prejudices to stand in the way of securing adoptions for the two children involved in this case.  If the court's decision is upheld on appeal, this could have a very positive impact on the lives of other children in Florida.  Currently there are more than 3,000 children in Florida in immediate need of placement with good, responsible adoptive parents.  The court ruling makes one more option available to the state in its efforts to place these children in good homes.