The 50 Spot: Legalizing Gay Adoption in Florida

The sunshine state, in addition to being home to my parents (hi mom and dad), is also home to the nation's harshest adoption law, which out-and-out rejects attempts by LGBT men and women to adopt children or provide foster care for them.  In late 2008, a Miami judge ruled that the law was a disservice to children (who really need the best family period, whether it's a gay or straight family), and now there's word that a Florida legislator is introducing legislation that would throw out the ban on adoption for LGBT people, and make it legal.

We're also visiting Delaware and Washington state in today's 50 spot.  More below...

Florida: This is such welcome news, especially since the going trend has been for states to attempt to ban gay adoption (Arkansas and Kentucky).  But in Florida, State Sen. Nan Rich, has filed a bill to repeal the Anita Bryant-era law on Florida's books that bans adoption by gay and lesbian people, and prevents them from serving as foster parents.  Per the Bradenton Herald: "State Sen. Rich, a Weston Democrat who is co-chair of the Senate Children & Families Committee, has filed a bill to repeal the 1977 Florida law that prohibits gay men and lesbians from adopting children. A second bill would specify that judges would determine adoptions based solely on 'the best interests'' of children."  An adoption law that places the best interests of children ahead of the crazy ideology of the radical right?  Now that's a bill worth getting behind, both for the sake of equal rights, and for the sake of children.

Delaware: The first state in the union might become the next state to pass legislation banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation when it comes to housing, employment, public works contracting, public accommodations and insurance.  The bill, which has stalled in previous legislative sessions, was introduced yesterday in the Delaware House by Majority Leader Peter Schwartzkopf (D-Rehoboth Beach).  Stormin' Peter Schwartzkopf gave a stinging message to the detractors of this bill who think it treads toward enacting special rights: "This is 2009. If the past several months have taught us anything, it's that Americans are much more tolerant and accepting of others now than ever before....End of story. That's it.  It's not a special-rights bill. It doesn't have anything to do with gay marriage, it has nothing to do with civil unions. The bottom line is, people shouldn't be discriminated against."  That's the type of bluntness that I find more than refreshing in my politicians.

Washington:  Hate crimes legislation moved forward in yesterday's 50 spot, and today comes word that the Washington State Senate passed a sweeping domestic partnership bill that would give same-sex couples registered with the state nearly all of the benefits afforded to married couples.  Yes, we know, it's "a separate but equal" type of policy.  But it's a step in the right direction, as openly gay State Senator Ed Murray (who introduced the legislation into the Senate) has said.  "Morally, we hope this discussion leads to marriage. Legally it does not. My partner and I have been together 18 years and would love the opportunity to marry. Domestic partnership is as close as we can get without being granted marriage," said Sen. Murray.  The bill now moves on to the Washington House.