MIAMI -- Hoping to persuade skittish lawmakers to at least partially repeal the state law barring gay people from adopting children, a grass-roots organization is gathering signatures from Floridians opposed to the ban.

Organized by the Unity Coalition of Miami-Dade County, the petition drive is not a traditional one aimed at placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot.

Rather, it is meant to gauge public support for repealing the nation's only blanket ban against homosexual adoptions.

"It's an unscientific effort to show that not only do we [in the gay community] believe this is right, but a bigger pool of people say this is right," Herb Sosa, director of the Unity Coalition, said Wednesday.

"Let's face it, for a lot of people in the Legislature, this is stepping out. But if they see a lot of voters are behind it, they may be more comfortable."

Organizers, who include Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas' brother, hope they will collect enough signatures to persuade the Legislature to support a bill allowing homosexuals to be considered as adoptive parents just for the state's neediest children -- abused, abandoned and neglected kids ready and waiting for adoptive homes. Today, there are more than 3,400 of them.

Luis Penelas, an AIDS activist and Unity Coalition board member, said he understands all too well the dilemma politicians face in addressing decisions involving homosexuals.

He has yet to ask his brother, the mayor of Miami-Dade County who is planning a run for the U.S. Senate, to support the drive or the repeal.

"Unfortunately, that's one of the problems of being a politician," Luis Penelas said. "You want to keep getting elected so the position you take is not necessarily the one you want to take."

Alex Penelas was unavailable for comment Wednesday.

Maya Bell can be reached at 305-810-5003 or mbell@orlandosentinel.com

Sentinel Takes Up Gay Adoption
The Orlando Sentinel is featuring the gay adoption ban in this week's Friday Forum section. "With 3,400 foster children awaiting adoption, should gays and lesbians have the same opportunity as other Floridians to be evaluated as potential adoptive parents? Should Florida's law prohibiting homosexuals from adopting be struck down? Why or why not?" Email your views to insight@orlandosentinel.com