Tennessee Legislature Moving To Ban Adoption By Same-Sex Couples

[Xero Eclipse]

Sad News:

Sen. Paul Stanley (R-Cordova) proposed a piece of legislation in January 2009 that would allow only married couples to adopt in Tennessee, a move that obviously targets gay couples as both the state law and constitution ban them from marrying or forming any other type of legal partnership. This not only hurts the GLBTQI community, but also is hurtful to all the 'homeless' children who are kept from having loving, adoptive parents. After the hope that the newly elected president has given our country and the joy we felt after defeating the English-Only initiative in the state Capitol's county, this comes as a huge blow.

Here is the exact wording of the proposed bill:
Adoption - "Prohibits any individual who is cohabitating in a sexual relationship outside of a marriage that is valid under the constitution and laws of this state from adopting a minor." - Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 49.

Here's a facebook group in opposition to this proposed law that's grown from 60 members to over 800 in just one day: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=48382197975.

We have defeated proposed laws prohibiting any discussion of homosexuality in K-8 schools in our state before because that's so outrageous, but this one could possibly pass if proper resistance doesn't develop to it in the eyes of our lawmakers.

[scrupulous_stoic]

Eeek! What are the chances of this being supported by the state?

[Xero Eclipse]

Originally Posted by scrupulous_stoic

Eeek! What are the chances of this being supported by the state?

If the organizations we have in place didn't put up a fight, it would most certainly pass. I will let you know how the fight looks like it's going as I have updates. There is an upcoming Equality Day on the Hill for our state in a few weeks, so I should more information by then based on what assessment we have of how many representatives are supporting or opposing this bill.