Gay Compromise

Dick Black’s bill designed to prevent gays from adopting has been reported to the House floor after a compromise was reached. [Disclosure] It seems the deal is that judges can ask about a couple’s homosexuality (whether it be a man and a woman, married or unmarried, as well as same-sex couples). Their reply presumably can be factor in the judge’s decision.

Deleted from Black’s original bill was: "F. No person under this statute may adopt if that person is a homosexual." Included instead was: "C. The investigation requested by the circuit court shall include, in addition to other inquiries that the circuit court may require the child-placing agency or local director to make, inquiries as to…v) whether the petitioner is known to engage in current voluntary homosexual activity or is unmarried and cohabiting with another adult to whom he is not related by blood or marriage."

The yes vote included some Democrats, including caucus leader Brian Moran.

YEAS--Hamilton, Purkey, Orrock, McDonnell, Nixon, O'Bannon, Welch, Marrs, Hogan, Bell, Athey, Nutter, Frederick, Janis, Spruill, Moran, Keister, Howell, A.T.--18.

NAYS--Baskerville, Sickles, Ebbin, BaCote--4.

Maybe the judges should ask what the couple’s favorite color is, as I’m sure that impacts how good they could be as adoptive parents. Or maybe the gay couple could reply, “No, we’re not currently engaged in voluntary homosexual activity, we’re answering these questions, and yes we are married -- in Massachusetts.”

Virginia Progressive has been following this issue.

Comments

[Bob]

That's a good idea.

Bob

[David]

It's not up to the applicants to define it. All prospective adoptive parents should ask the questioner to describe, in exacting and exhaustive detail, what he/she means by that. That should take care of the problem.

[Bob]

Perhaps. What worries me is that everyone, including straight couples, will need to define "current homosexual activity" (to include menage a trois, peut-etre) and answer a question no one has any business asking.

[paul]

that basically kills the effectiveness of the bill. Adoption agencies are staffed with liberals who aren't going to enforce it.