Please join COLAGE – as well as all LGBTQ families in Florida and across the U.S. – in celebrating this joyous occasion!
In a case brought by the ACLU on behalf of Martin Gill and his partner who sought to adopt the two siblings they’ve fostered since 2004, a Florida district appeals court ruled to be unconstitutional a state law banning gay people from becoming adoptive parents. The Governor then affirmed that Florida would immediately stop enforcing the ban.
COLAGE Families Rejoice in Reaction to the Ruling:
COLAGE Board Member, Steve Scarlato who lives in Orlando, FL:
“As the adult son of a gay father and as a gay parent myself, I am immensely gratified to finally see this injustice removed from the books. Like the judges, I believe it is ‘in the best interests of the child’ for my partner and I to both be legally recognized as parents to our son who we have been raising together for five years. In fact, we look forward to proudly and immediately setting the court dates when our status as our son’s parents will be legally affirmed and we may jointly welcome a second son into our family.”
Isaac Calhoun, 16 year-old COLAGE Jacksonville, FL Chapter Leader:
“As a teenager with lesbian parents, I never liked the fact that my moms couldn’t adopt if they wanted to because what if they couldn’t have a baby for some medical reason? Now I know that if one day they wanted to adopt a child, I could have another younger sibling. In fact, now that the ban is lifted, maybe I can have a little sister. 
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Sheila Calhoun (one of Isaac’s moms):
“Florida’s ban on adoption has been a barrier in the past, preventing my partner and I from even considering foster parenting simply because we knew that, should we wish to formally adopt a child placed with us, we would be unable to and that would be very unfair to the child. I believe this ban being lifted is important to the thousands of children currently awaiting placement!”
People with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer parents know that in a system where thousands of children are in need of stable and nurturing homes, qualified adults must be allowed to become adoptive parents. At the same time, children have a right and must be supported to maintain a connection to their biological heritage and cultural roots.
As COLAGE celebrates this pivotal legal victory, we honor all the children, youth and families who, for over three decades, have courageously shared your lives and advocated for your unique families with teachers, social workers, policymakers and judges in an effort to gain the rights, recognition and respect that all families deserve.
If you were adopted by a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer parent, let your community know how important this court decision is to you and your family. Write a letter in your school paper; talk about it with friends and extended family members; share your story with COLAGE so we can continue to make the changes that matter most to LGBTQ families!