Same Sex Couples in Arkansas Sue over Adoption Laws
Posted on Jan 7, 2009 10:23am PST
In Arkansas, the American Civil Liberties Union has recently filed a lawsuit that challenges a new law in Arkansas. The law, which is centered on the topic of adoption, prevents unmarried couples who live together from being foster parents and adoptive parents. Numerous homosexual couples live together, but cannot be married in the state Arkansas, which has prompted an adverse reaction by the homosexual community.
In November, Arkansas voters approved Act 1. Act 1 limits adoptions to only married couples in the state. This means that unmarried individuals, both heterosexual and homosexual, cannot adopt children. Many who are pro Act 1 believe that the law was passed with the best interests of the children in mind.
The Associated Press reports that 30 individuals are listed as plaintiffs on the lawsuit that was filed by the ACLU. One of the plaintiffs is a grandmother who has lived with her same sex partner for over 10 years and who is the only relative who is willing to adopt her grandchild. Instead of being able to provide a home for her grandchild, the state will now be able to dictate where the child is to live, even if that means the child is placed in foster care.
The ACLU lawsuit alleges that Act 1 prevents children in Arkansas from having a "chance at the largest possible pool of potential foster and adoptive homes."
Additionally, the ACLU lawsuit alleges that the new law discriminates against the homosexual community in Arkansas, who are not allowed to legally get married in the state.
Act 1 went into effect on January 1, 2009. Legislators are confident that the ACLU lawsuit will fail.
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