Florida Legislature Repeals State Ban on Gay Adoption
Florida’s nearly four-decades old ban on gay adoption — which has already been struck down by the courts and is no longer enforced — could be repealed under a bill now headed to the governor’s desk.
The ban was first put in place the same year singer Anita Bryant led a highly publicized campaign to repeal a Miami-Dade ordinance that outlawed discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The Florida Senate passed the bill Tuesday on a 27-11 vote, but not before several Republicans questioned getting rid of the ban.
“I would ask every one of you before you vote, think about the long-term implications for every one of these children,” said Sen. Alan Hays, a Republican from central Florida. “Put the politics aside and think about the children.”