Campaign to End Florida's Adoption Ban
RSVP! Register now for the February 2012 adoption events in Orlando and Gulfport!
For 33 years, Florida was the only state in the U.S. that had a law outright banning gay men and lesbians from adopting children. Although thousands of children languished in Florida's foster care system, there were many deserving parents willing to provide a forever home who are being denied that right solely because they are gay. This harmful law was passed in 1977 in response to an anti-gay crusade led by former Miss America and Florida orange juice spokesperson Anita Bryant.
The ACLU of Florida, along with partnering organizations, worked hard through legal and legislative avenues to repeal this harmful and discriminatory law. On September 22, 2010, Florida's unique law banning gay people from adopting was declared unconstitutional by Florida's Third District Court of Appeal. ACLU plaintiff Martin Gill and his family are finally -- after a nearly five-year legal battle -- able to breath a sigh of relief that state officials will not, one day, come knocking on their door to break up their family. This means that all gay, lesbian and bisexual people have the chance to adopt on the same terms as everyone else. It also means that children in Florida's troubled foster care system will have more opportunities to be part of a permanent, loving and stable family.
But the fight isn't over! The ACLU is working -- thanks to a $225,000 grant from the Gill Foundation -- in collaboration with over 30 national, state, and local organizations to raise awareness throughout the state through public education events, media training and town hall meetings to protect this victory and defend against discrimination against gays and lesbians who wish to adopt.
Learn more about the trainings here.
Dowload tools and resources to help you with advocacy efforts related to this campaign.
Below is a list of dates and locations where you can get involved with the ACLU's campaign.
LOCAL TRAININGS/MEETINGS/TOWN HALL EVENTS
Check Back Regularly for Dates of Trainings in a City Near You! Dates are subject to change. For more information on any of the upcoming trainings, please contact us at: training@aclufl.org.
February 2012
March/April 2012
- Orlando
May/July 2012
- Jacksonville
ALREADY COMPLETED:
October 2009
- Miami Beach Convention Center (completed)
January/February 2010
- Orlando (completed)
March 2010
Fort Lauderdale - Saturday, March 20 (completed)
Naples - Sunday, March 21 (completed)
June 2010
- St. Petersburg - Saturday, June 19 (completed)
October 2010
- Gainesville - Tuesday, September 28 thru Saturday, October 2 (completed)
January 2011
- Key West:
Screening of "In Anita's Wake," Friday, January 21st
GLAAD Speakers Training, Saturday, January 22
February 2011
- Melbourne ... Friday, February 18th - Saturday, February 19th
April 2011
- Jacksonville ... Friday, April 1 - Monday, April 4
- Pensacola ... Thursday, April 14 - Saturday, April 16th
November 2011
- Sarasota & Tampa ... November 3rd, 5th and 6th
Thanks to our collaborating partners in this grand endeavor to change the landscape of LGBT rights in Florida.
