“I’d Love My Mom Even If She Were Straight!”
March 18, 2006: I just came across this article from the Miami Sun Sentinel that HRC reprints. I like this story for many reasons, but my favorite is the kid’s quote at the end. (I cut out some of the middle, but you can read the whole article here):
Momentum is Building, Gay Adoption Backers Say
Erika Slife, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, March 1, 2006“Skye” was 7 when he was placed in foster care and by the time he moved to his current home last year at age 15, his reading and math abilities were still at the second-grade level, according to his foster caretaker, Lisa Smith.
But after the pair hit the books all summer, Skye not only improved his skills, he nearly caught up to his peers, Smith said. More importantly, the once-shy and withdrawn teen started calling her “Mom.”
But the moniker is in name only and will not be recognized by the government as long as the state’s ban on gay adoptions is in place. Skye and Smith, who is a lesbian and would like to adopt Skye, were part of a forum Tuesday night at Florida Atlantic University on pending legislation that would eliminate the ban.
Florida is the only state that specifically prohibits homosexuals from adopting, although Mississippi, Oklahoma and Utah have similar bans, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The law was enacted in 1977, at the height of the crusade against homosexuals by former Miss America Anita Bryant.
“Our statute is archaic and does not represent the best interest of children. When children are placed in stable, loving homes, they should be able to remain there,” said Sen. Nan Rich, D-Weston, the bill’s sponsor.
Although she acknowledges the change will be an uphill battle, she said the movement is gaining momentum considering that the committee even heard the bill.
Conservative groups are not ready to back down without a fight. Gov. Jeb Bush is in favor of the ban, and the debate comes at a time when many states across the country are facing gay rights opposition. In 2004, voters in 11 states approved constitutional amendments to ban same-sex marriage. Currently, 16 states are considering adoption bans similar to Florida’s, Saunders said.
But for Skye, who said he’s finally found a home, the amendment couldn’t come fast enough. The transgender teen said he languished in foster care before coming to live with Smith in Lake Worth.
“She’s been a great parent for me,” he said. “Even if she was straight, I would still love her.”