Virginia Lawmakers Proposing Ban On Gay Adoptions Now

[justin899]

Bill bans adoption by gay couples

Kevin Crossett / [e-mail]
February 2, 2005

RICHMOND - Two lawmakers are on a crusade to preserve what they call the Virginia tradition of heterosexual adoption by submitting a proposal banning the practice for gay couples.

Dels. Dick Black, R-Sterling, and Bob Marshall, R-Manassas, are among the General Assembly’s most vocal opponents of homosexuality. The team often champions such anti-gay measures as banning gay marriage and civil unions. Their growing list now includes codifying a policy that bans homosexual adoption in Virginia.

Marshall, who along with his wife adopted three of their five children, said Virginia already prevents adoption by same-sex couples. Their proposal would just codify what the state already does.

“We’re not taking away any homosexual rights in Virginia because they can’t do it anyway,” he said.

http://www.newsadvance.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=LNA/MGArticle/LNA_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031780587813&path=

Doesn't VA have enough anti-gay legislation yet? What with their heterosexual marriage license plates, health insurance bans for same-sex couples and that hideous 751 law (which you can read about here)? I mean damn!

Up until a couple of weeks ago they were still trying to enforce state sodomy laws (never mind the fact the SCOTUS struck them down a couple of years ago) by having under cover cops go in chatrooms and try to lure gay men to parks for sex.

There's not much more anti-gay legislation left for the state to pass, short of trying to make homosexuality a capital offense (which is the way they're heading with all of these anti-gay dehumanizing laws). :mad:

[SaveElmer]

1. I'm ashamed to live here...

The birthplace of Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Mason, and Wilson has turned into Falwell-land.

How truly sad!!!

[Meldread]

2. I'm ashamed too...

...that's why I'm leaving. I refuse to pay taxes to people who want to do nothing more than step all over me.

[davidinalameda]

3. every gay person should pack up and move out of that state

I can't imagine living there

and I wouldn't doubt that would try and make being gay against the law

they're hateful enough to do it

[big peaches]

4. The news just keeps getting worse ...

.... and I feel for all of you family-types who live in this horrible State of Denial.

However, I disagree with a call that every Gay and Lesbian person should move out of Virginia. Quite the contrary, I think, a million Gay and Lesbian people should MOVE IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I also think that the only way to defeat the current tide of hatred and phobia is to COME OUT and BE LOUD ABOUT IT!

[Meldread]

5. That may be the case...

...however the hatred here is deep. Especially where I live. Fred Phelps would have little trouble finding allies within my town.

[Technowitch]

6. How long before they open the "Reorientation Camps" for us, friends?

For our own good, of course.

Sad...

[arwalden]

7. Pandering To Christian Bigotry And Hatred Works

When the victims complain... it's ignored.
When the non-Christians complain... it's ignore.
When a few progressive Christians complain... it's ignored.

When will the REST OF THE CHRISTIANS bother to speak out against these things?

What does their silence mean? How should we interpret their apathy? Do they consent? Do they approve?

Supposedly the progressive Christians exist in GREATER numbers than the bigoted hate-mongering Christians (a "loud" minority we're told). So, why don't they SAY SOMETHING?

[davidinalameda]

8. Virginia Bill Banning Gay Adoption Gutted

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

not great news but I guess it's better than it was before

Legislation to prevent gays and lesbians from adopting was gutted Thursday.

The bill it finally approved does not include an outright ban on gay adoption. Instead it leaves it up to social services agencies.

The legislation now says that the agencies may take into account sexual orientation and also whether a couple is married or living together in deciding whether a home is suitable for an adoptable child.

[Egalia]

9. Adoption Ban filed in Tennessee now

Homophobia seems to be a contagious disease. TN legislators hope to pass the proposed anti gay marriage constitutional amendment this session, and now they want to outlaw adoption too. I'm counting the days til they go back home!

From today's Out & About:

Bill filed in Tennessee Senate to prohibit homosexuals from adopting

A bill has filed by State Senator Diane Black (R-Hendersonville), which would prevent any homosexual in Tennessee from adopting.

Black filed the legislation (Senate Bill 829) on February 3 and it has Tennessee's gay and lesbian community crying foul. Companion legislation has been filed in the Tennessee House by Dewayne Bunch (R-Cleveland).

Read the story on our Web site, http://www.outandaboutnewspaper.com

Updates on this developing story will be posted as they happen.