April 20, 2015
Florida Senate leaders decided Monday not to vote on a controversial proposal that would allow taxpayer-supported adoption agencies to use religious or personal beliefs to discriminate against prospective parents.
April 17, 2015
Contact:
Jim Harper, Media/Communications, [email protected]
In a bipartisan vote, the Florida Senate on Tuesday gave final approval to a bill designed to help more foster children find permanent homes. The bill also removes an outdated and unconstitutional ban on gays and lesbians adopting children.
Former Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Destin, spoke eloquently in urging his colleagues not to be swayed by objections that the measure might go against the religious principles of some private, taxpayer-supported adoption agencies.
In an ugly symbolic move, the Florida House on Thursday approved an Indiana-style discrimination bill that gives taxpayer-funded adoption agencies a “license to discriminate” against gay and lesbian couples looking to adopt.
Equality Florida and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) called on lawmakers today to abandon an anti-LGBT bill that will enable discrimination -- with taxpayer dollars -- against prospective LGBT foster and adoptive parents, and place children seeking a permanent home at continued risk.
A need to protect his family brought Jim VanRiper into gay activism. He hasn’t stopped since.
Since moving to Tallahassee in 2003, VanRiper has been a leader in almost every aspect of its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
April 2, 2015
Contact:
Carlos Guillermo Smith, Public Policy Specialist, [email protected]
Jim Harper, Media/Communications, [email protected]