Tampa Bay Coalition
Eye on GLBT Adoption, Custody & Parenting 
Rights News Archives 2003
 
"National News"
 
June 2003
 
Adoption Agency Moves To Have Lesbian Bias Suit Tossed
June 11: A Southern California adoption agency has asked a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit by
a lesbian couple that claims the company discriminated against them because of their sexuality.
The Olive Crest Family Care and Adoption Agency, based in Santa Ana, said the discrimination
Related Article:
May 2: Lesbian Couple Sues California Adoption Agency.
 
Vermont First State Seeking Gay Couples to Adopt Children
June 11: Vermont has become the first state in the US to actively seek gay and lesbian couples to
become adoptive parents. The agency of Social and Rehabilitation Services, SRS, said that it has
more children in the system than there are prospective 'traditional' families to adopt them. Officials
at SRS believe that same-sex couples are particularly good at parenting children who have been in
the system, all of whom are considered "special needs" children.
 
April 2003
 
California Foster Care Bill Passes Key Committee
April 9: The Human Services Committee of the California State Assembly Tuesday approved a
bill to protect foster children in the state from discriminatory treatment, including discrimination
or harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV/AIDS status. The bill passed
 
Judge Denies Transgender Man Custody Of Son
April 9: A Chicago judge ruled, that a transgender male cannot be granted parental rights because
same-sex marriages are illegal in Illinois and therefore the man was never the boy's legitimate father.
The man is the only father the boy, now 11, has ever known. Cook County Public guardian Patrick
Murphy, who represents the child, said the boy wants to live with his father.
 
March 2003
 
National Latina/o Group Supports Florida Rally for Gay Adoption
March 19: Representatives of the Washington, D.C.-based National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Organization (LLEGO) will travel to Tallahassee, Florida, for visits with state legislators and a rally supporting adoption by same-sex couples. The events are presented by the Unity Coalition of Miami-Dade, a grassroots advocacy group for Latina/o sexual minorities. [Photo Right: Dan Skahen and Wayne Smith getting a big hug. Click on Above Photo for Enlarged Image.
 
National Latina/o Group Supports Florida Rally for Gay Adoption
Mar 19: Representatives of the Washington, D.C.-based National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual and Transgender Organization (LLEGO) will travel to Tallahassee, Florida, for visits
with state legislators and a rally supporting adoption by same-sex couples. The events are
presented by the Unity Coalition of Miami-Dade, a grassroots advocacy group for Latina/o
sexual minorities.
 
Group Woos Lawmakers to Repeal Ban on Gay Adoptions
Mar 6: 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.

U.S. Judges Question 'Rational Basis' of Gay Adoption Ban
Mar 5: Federal appellate judges questioned whether there was a ''rational basis'' for the Florida
law banning gay men and lesbians from adopting children in a case.
 
Gay Adoption Pits Moral Arguments Against Need for Homes
Mar 5: Lawyers for four gay men seeking to adopt children they are raising urge federal appeals
court to strike down the Florida law prohibiting homosexuals from adopting, the only law of its kind
in the nation.

States Grapple With Gay Rights and Definition of the Family
Mar 5: Two court cases have the potential to push America toward a broadening the definition of
family that is increasingly inclusive of homosexuals.
 
"International News"
 
'Self Centered' Gays Do Disservice To Children By Adopting RC Church Says
Roman Catholic Church is warning the government of the Australian state of Tasmania not to force
its members to support gay adoption. The state parliament is considering legislation that would allow
gay and lesbian couples to adopt.  The Catholic Church wants the government to let its members
"vote their conscience rather than the party line." ~ Two News Articles ~
 
 
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