BREAKING NEWS: End of Florida Adoption Ban will NOT BE Appealed

The following is a statement by Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida , regarding today’s announcement by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum that he will NOT appeal the Third District Court’s ruling that found Florida’s ban on adoption by gay and lesbian prospective parents “unconstitutional.”

“Since Sept 22nd, Florida’s ban on gay people adopting has been over. We are pleased to learn that Attorney General Bill McCollum has decided not to squander more taxpayer dollars and muddy the waters on a matter the courts have decided unanimously.

We continue to celebrate the end of a ban that has literally torn families apart and denied children permanent loving homes for over 33 years. The courts have been clear that this ban is irrational and puts anti-gay prejudice ahead of the needs of children.”

Here is the Attorney General's full statement:

Attorney General Releases Statement on Decision to Not Appeal the Gill Case

Attorney General Bill McCollum today released the following statement on his decision to not appeal the Gill Case. This will be the only comment provided by the office on this matter.

"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."

Equality Florida is the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
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