Tell the Arkansas Legislature: Vote No on SB 959

SB 959, a measure that seeks to ban gay people and most unmarried heterosexual couples who live together from adopting or serving as foster parents, has been voted through the Arkansas Senate and is soon to be considered by the Arkansas House Judiciary Committee. This measure would categorically ban lesbian and gay Arkansans from adopting or serving as foster parents, even if they're relatives of the children in question. It would also ban unmarried heterosexual couples who live together unless they're related to the child, which could prevent godparents or family friends from caring for a child if the parents die or can't keep the child.

It is crucial that Arkansans whose Representatives are on the House Judiciary Committee ask their legislators to vote NO on SB 959.

If you are a youth or adult with one or more LGBT parent/s who lives in Arkansas, we need YOU to share your story! Please contact COLAGE to get involved.

Below you will find contact information for the relevant leaders, talking points for phone calls, and model text for emails or letters to your leaders. For more information, please feel free to contact us, as well as visit the ACLU's website for updated information.

Who to contact:

The bill has been sent to the House Judiciary Committee. A hearing date has not been set yet, but we encourage constituents to call committee members now. According to the Associated Press, Reps. Lamont Cornwell of Benton, John Paul Wells of Paris, and Jon Woods of Springdale have said they will likely vote for the ban, so constituents in their districts are especially encouraged to call. Cornwell told the AP that so far he has heard from 246 constituents in favor of the bill and only three against it.

The main message to get across is to "Vote NO on SB959." It’s also important that you tell the Representative that you are a constituent and include your name and address.

All Arkansas Representatives may be left a telephone message at: 501- 501-682-6211. If you do not know your state representative, the office will look this information up for you.

The telephone number for Governor Mike Beebe is: 501-682-2345.

Members of the House Judiciary Committee include:
Lamont Cornwell, Benton, District 28
Phone: 501-778-7327

John Paul Wells, Paris, District 84
Phone: 479-963-3227
E-mail: wellj@arkleg.state.ar.us

Jon Woods, Springdale, District 93
Phone: 479-200-3100

Tommy Baker, Osceola, District 55
Phone: 870-563-8277

Will Bond, Jacksonville, District 44
Phone: 501-982-9081
E-mail: bondw@arkleg.state.ar.us

Steven Breedlove, Greenwood, District 67
Phone: 479-996-6040

Earnest Brown Jr., Pine Bluff, District 16
Phone: 870-534-6332

Jerry Brown, Wynne, District 57
Phone: 870-238-3132

Aaron Burkes, Lowell, District 95
Phone: 479-877-0412

Joan Cash, Jonesboro, District 75
Phone: 870-886-6663

Steve Harrelson, Texarkana, District 1
Phone: 870-772-5482
E-mail: steve@steveharrelson.com

Robert Jeffrey, Camden, District 7
Phone: 870-837-2446
E-mail: jeffreyr@arkleg.state.ar.us

David Johnson, Little Rock, District 38
Phone: 501-372-6555
E-Mail: johnsond@arkleg.state.ar.us

Robert Moore Jr., Arkansas City,
Phone: 870-877-9339

Mark Pate, Bald Knob, District 49
Phone: 501-268-6900

Tracy Pennartz, Fort Smith, District 65
Phone: 479-285-4800

David Powers, Hope, District 3
Phone: 870-777-9822

Chris Thyer, Jonesboro, District 74
Phone: 870-932-2000
E-mail: thyerc@arkleg.state.ar.us

Charolette Wagner, Manila, District 77
Phone: 870-561-4600

Talking points:

* The state of Arkansas doesn't have enough foster and adoptive homes available for children awaiting placement. Limiting the pool of potential parents through a blanket restriction like SB 959 would create would only mean that even more children go without good homes.

* Child welfare experts agree that all potential foster or adoptive parents should be subjected to the same individual screening process to determine their ability to provide a safe, stable, nurturing homes for children.

* All of the major Arkansas and national groups dedicated to children's health and welfare oppose blanket restrictions on parenting by lesbians and gay men.

* And most importantly, tell YOUR personal story!

Model text for your email:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],
As your constituent, I urge you to vote no on SB 959, which is currently being considered by the House Judiciary Committee.

Although this legislation purports to "protect" the children of Arkansas, instead it would hurt the many children in need of adoptive and foster homes in Arkansas . It would tie the hands of caseworkers and prevent them from making the placements they deem best for some children.

25 years of research on lesbian and gay parents and their children shows that gay people are just as capable of being good parents as heterosexuals and the children raised by gay parents are just as well-adjusted. Not a single study has found any harm to children from being raised by gay parents. {Insert your personal experience}

All of the major Arkansas groups dedicated to children's health and welfare -- Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, the Arkansas Psychological Association and the Arkansas chapter of the National Association of Social Workers -- recognize that gay people can be equally good parents and, thus, oppose restrictions on parenting by lesbians and gay men. All of the national children's health and welfare groups agree too, including the American Academy of Pediatricians, the American Psychological Association, the National Association of Social Workers, and the Child Welfare League of America.

The Arkansas Supreme Court has already struck down a ban on fostering by gay people, saying that it served no child welfare purpose. Arkansas already individually screens every prospective foster parent through a criminal records check, health screening, and a home study. Anyone, gay or straight, that the state finds unfit to parent is already excluded. This bill is nothing but an attempt to get around the court's ruling at the expense of children who need homes.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

[Your address]

COLAGE Speak OUT Member