Critics decry Florida court ruling overturning gay adoption ban

Tallahassee, Fla., Sep 22, 2010 / 17:56 pm

After the 3rd District Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday to overturn Florida's ban on homosexual couples adopting children, critics voiced concern stating that the presence of both a mother and a father are “not optional non-essentials in the lives of children.”

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist announced on Wednesday that the ban on adoptions by same-sex couples will cease immediately after the 3rd District Court of Appeals upheld a 2008 ruling by a Miami-Dade judge. According to the Associated Press (AP), the judge found "no rational basis" for the ban when she approved the adoption of two young brothers by a man named Martin Gill and his same-sex partner.

"I'm very pleased with the ruling on behalf of the Gills," said Gov. Crist on Sept 21. "It's a great day for children. Children deserve a loving home."

However, pro-family group Liberty Council reacted to the news on Wednesday and issued a statement saying that under “Florida law, adoption is a privilege and not a right and, as such, the state may make classifications in the adoption arena that may be constitutionally suspect in other areas. The decision to adopt a child is not a private decision but a public act.”

Mathew D. Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel and dean of Liberty University School of Law said that  “Common sense and human history underscore the fact that children need a mother and a father.”

“The Florida law seeks to ensure that children are placed in homes that have the potential of a mother and a father,” Staver underscored. “Homosexual adoption precludes children from having parents of both genders. Gender does matter to the well-being of children. Moms and dads are not optional non-essentials in the lives of children.”

In comments provided to CNA, Family Research Council  senior fellow Peter Sprigg said that all “scientific data and academic studies demonstrate that the kids do best with married parents: one male, the other female. Common sense, Western history and Judeo-Christian moral teaching also affirm this.”

“Florida has today done grave harm to the well-being of vulnerable children who will be raised in homes with role models who cannot provide them with the true vision of what family life should be,” Sprigg added. “Political correctness has been given precedence over child welfare.”