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Name: Carson
Current Event Posting Number: 1
Period: D
Topic: Civil Rights

Title: Florida appeals court strikes down gay adoption ban

Writer: the CNN Wire Staff
Publication Name: CNN News
Date of Publication: September 22, 2010
Length: 721 words
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/09/22/florida.gay.adoptions/index.html?npt=NP1

A law in Florida was dismantled by an appeals court in the southern state, which banned gay men and women from adopting children, ruling that the ban was unconstitutional. The current Governor, Charlie Crist, also running for a Senate seat said that he was pleased with the court ruling that lifted the ban, and that the state of Florida was no longer enforcing the law. Interestingly, a former Republican, Crist supported the ban. The current case was brought to court by a man who was a foster parent licensed by the government who wanted to adopt two boys that were put into his care, but was unable to do so because of his sexual orientation. The ban was put in place because "there is a rational basis for the prohibition on homosexual adoption [i.e.] children will have better role models, and face less discrimination, if they are placed in non-homosexual households, preferably with a husband and wife as the parents" (Page 1). It is now removed under the ruling that the ban violated constitutional rights, and was not in the best interest of the child.

In conclusion, Florida has lifted the ban, stating that homosexual couples are prohibited from adopting children. Although this is a victory in terms of human rights, and homosexual rights, the country as a whole still has a long way to go in becoming completely unbiased, if that is at all possible. Hopefully the country can make an example out of this Florida ruling, and start making those steps towards equality