Metro Weekly

Florida’s ban on adoptions by gay families is over! Atty Gen. McCullom will not pursue case

”The constitutionality of the Florida law banning adoption by homosexuals is a divisive matter of great public interest.   As such, the final determination should rest with the Florida Supreme Court, not a lower appellate court.  But after reviewing the merits of independently seeking Supreme Court review, following the decision of our client the Department of Children and Families not to appeal the decision of the Third District Court of Appeal, it is clear that this is not the right case to take to the Supreme Court for its determination.  No doubt someday a more suitable case will give the Supreme Court the opportunity to uphold the constitutionality of this law.”

Statement from Florida’s Attorney General Bill McCollum, who had been fighting for a very long time to keep gay people from legally adopting children. (Office of the AG of Florida)

A month ago, the Florida Court of Appeals found ”no rational basis” for the ban. The long series of court battles centered around Martin Gill, a foster parent of two boys since 2004 whom he wanted to adopt. Gill had won an similar victory in 2008. McCollum then appealed the case for the state, but he foolishly paid for the testimony of an anti-gay “dotor,” George Rekers, who was later caught in the company of a gay male escort.

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