Revised Arkansas bill still bars gay couples from adopting

[davidinalameda]

http://www.advocate.com/new_news.asp?ID=15019&sd=02/03/05

In a strategic move to boost support, legislative sponsors have abandoned efforts to specifically bar gays from being adoptive or foster parents in Arkansas. Instead, they targeted unmarried cohabiting adults, and the strategy appeared to work. The house committee on aging, children and youth, legislative and military affairs approved the revised measure on a voice vote Wednesday after rejecting an amendment that would have provided for a blanket exception made in the best interest of the child. The bill goes to the house floor.

[davidinalameda]

1. updated story

http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/02/020305arkFoster.htm

Rep. Bob Adams (D-Sheridan) says that his bill to ban the state from placing children in "homosexual homes" isn’t meant to discriminate against gays.

"Some people think this bill is an anti-gay bill; it is not," Adams told a House committee meeting today. "It is not about the gay population. It’s about the children."

Nevertheless, the committee, fearing a court challenge, dropped any mention of homosexual from the bill, amending to prohibit a child from being adopted by or placed in the foster care of an unmarried adult who is cohabitating "in a relationship that is not a legally valid and binding marriage'' under the state constitution.



with Democrats like this, who needs Republicans