Miami Judge Rules Against Fla. Gay Adoption Ban

A juvenile court judge in Miami on Monday allowed a gay couple to adopt two children who had been in their foster care, ruling that a Florida law banning gay couples from adopting is unconstitutional.

Miami Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman ruled Tuesday there was "no rational basis" for prohibiting gays from adopting children.

The ruling will allow Martin Gill to adopt two young brothers he has cared for as foster children since 2004. Gill said when he and his partner agreed to act as foster parents to the boys, he expected it would be for just a few months.

As time went on and it became clear that the boys would not be returning to their family, Gill said he knew he'd have to challenge the state law.

Some other states have similar laws on the books, but Florida's law is the strictest in the nation banning adoptions because of sexual orientation.

In granting the adoption, Lederman said there is a consensus among researchers that there is no reason to prohibit adoptions by gay couples.

Lawyers representing Florida's Department of Children & Families said they will appeal the decision.

http://www.npr.org/newsinbrief/index.html#MT97452518

Yes!  YES!!! I could list all the reasons why that ban is horrible, but right now all I want to say is HOORAY!

Oh yea!!!!!  Good for those foster parents for fighting that state law.  This just gave me goosebumps!  I can't even imagine the happiness of that family right now.  And thanks Charlie for posting this!!  Great news.

YAY!!  This had to be one of the most cruel bans passed.  I am glad the judge did the right thing!

I was listening to NPR on the car radio yesterday & caught a partial interview with the father.  He said that he was tracing their name with his 2 children (to practice writing it) when one of the kids looked up at him & said 'Now we will have the same last name!'  

Fantastic!

That is so wonderful!

This is great news.  I wonder how many of the good Christian families who don't want gay couples to adopt/foster children, are willing to take the children into their own families.

I keep thinking how great those kids must feel to know that someone cares enough to stand up and fight the system to keep them.  What a wonderful gift to give those children!

Chills over here.  Hooray!

Of course the state appealed the ruling, but they don't have a leg to stand on.  Judge Lederman is  well known and respected nationally for her work on behalf of  children's  rights.   Let's see the state try and prove that she did not act  with the children's best interest at heart.  HOORAY!  At last Florida is in the papers for something positive.  Its a bitch to live in this state....@!@$@#$S