Last month, the Third District Court of Appeal in Miami unanimously ruled to end a state ban on adoption by gay men and lesbians. Yesterday, Florida’s Department of Children & Families’ Director, George Sheldon, announced the agency will not appeal that ruling, which found the law banning adoptions by gays and lesbians unconstitutional.
The case centered on two foster children adopted by Frank Martin Gill, an openly gay man from Miami. Gill was represented in the case by the American Civil Liberties Union. And, as of today, Gill’s adoption of his two children is legally binding, and Gill has been quoted as saying he is more than thrilled to tell both of them that he and his partner are now their “forever parents”.
The Center for American Progress reminds us “the struggle for LGBT equality extends far beyond the headline issues of repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” passing the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, and achieving marriage rights for gay couples.”
Only six states have laws or policies expressly prohibiting discrimination against gay and lesbian adoptions. These states are California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey and New York. Three states expressly restrict adoption by same-sex couples: Michigan, Mississippi and Nebraska.
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