The following can be attributed to Howard Simon, ACLU of Florida Executive Director and Robert Rosenwald, ACLU of Florida LGBT Advocacy Project Director, in response to Governor Crist’s declaration that July 22 shall be “Explore Adoption” Day:
“Governor Crist claims that ‘adoption is a priority’ and that ‘Florida must take care of our vulnerable children.’
“If Gov. Crist truly believes in helping place the thousands of Florida children who are awaiting adoption, he should be supporting legislation to repeal of Florida’s ban on adoption by gays and lesbians. Florida is the only state that categorically bans gays and lesbians from adopting, and it’s time to put this ugly practice to an end – whether through bipartisan legislation or through the ACLU’s lawsuit, which is currently on appeal.
“It is disingenuous to urge the expansion of adoption, and at the same time ban an entire segment of eligible and qualified adults from being able to adopt.
“It is time to bring our state’s policies in line with the overwhelming research of child welfare professionals, and to stop holding the lives of Florida’s adoptable children hostage to anti-gay politics.”
