First Same-Sex Adoption in Florida Is Life Saving

on December 15, 2011 at 2:35 PM

gay adoption It's hard to believe that some people believe your sexuality is indicative of what kind of parent you will be. Have you seen these horrible parents who are card-carrying members of the heterosexual crowd? So it's way overdue that Florida allowed same-sex couples to adopt children. (The ruling came in 2010.) And the first gay couple to adopt in Florida, Randy Vosburg and Nick Santamaria, have brought 7-year-old David home and into his new family. And that is one lucky little boy.

Because you won't believe the fate of other children in foster care.

There are 25,000 kids in America every year who age out of foster care without being adopted. 25,000! If every state allowed same-sex adoption, that number would be lower. Giving kids a home before they're kicked out on their own with no family to fall back on, and no resources, will also go a long way in improving our communities. You're simply throwing 18-year-olds out into the streets, where they will do whatever they have to do to survive. That's a big picture reason to allow same-sex adoption. But the best reason by far is David's happiness at belonging to a family. Or as he put it: "I was worried that no one was going to adopt me," he said, "but I've got two dads!"

While being raised in a non-traditional home may have challenges for everyone involved, there are non-traditional families involving step-parents, single parents, grandparents, and more. There is no less a disadvantage in having to explain your family situation when it involves two dads or none. And any teasing is just words. Or "cuckoo words" as David explains.

So far, the two dads have been surprised by the non-hostile reception they've received from other parents at David's new school and their community. As they put it, others see them as people, not a lifestyle. Which is exactly the right move. What a great story and inspiration for everyone to start putting kids first and prejudice dead last.

Do you think homosexual parents are just as qualified as the hetero variety?

Image via Drab Makyo/Flickr

About the author April Peveteaux

writes about anything that gets stuck in her craw. A mom of two in Los Angeles, she can't believe she practically lives in the country now after attempting to raise kids in Brooklyn.

Filed Under: adoption, in the news

Comments (14)

i.love.my.kids.

on Dec 15, 2011 at 2:49 PM

Why do people have to bash on the gays? If they're happy and in love then let them be, they're probably better parents to children then most strait people. As long as they are good people and can support a child, what's the difference? There is still love in the house-hold. Just because you can't reproduse on your own doesn't mean you can't be parents. Ugh all the people that are against gay//bisexual people should be ashamed of yourselfs, they are people, they have a heart, and beliefs. So be happy for them! Dicks..

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yayheadstart

on Dec 15, 2011 at 2:55 PM

i think they might even be more qualified because they have had time to think about becoming parents. Gay people rarely have surprise babies! Good for them though. Hopefully Arkansas will take note...here unmarried people cannot adopt or foster, so there are very few homes available for children in state care. It's very sad. They would rather them grow up in group homes? Makes no damn sense.

AngiDas

on Dec 15, 2011 at 3:10 PM

If a child gets a home and two loving parents,why does it matter if the parents are gay? There are too many kids waiting for a home to discriminate.

Nonmember comment from Liz

on Dec 15, 2011 at 3:24 PM

I've done research on this very topic, and the most comprehensive studies show that children of homosexual parents are no worse off than children of heterosexual parents. Bringing another person's biological child into your home and loving that child as your own is one of the most amazing things a person can do, regardless of their sexual orientation.

CPN322

on Dec 15, 2011 at 4:19 PM

Heck yeah!

Panda2778

on Dec 15, 2011 at 4:51 PM

I have some close family members who are gay. They have been in a committed relationship for nearly 20 years. Their marriage is more stable and they are more well-adjusted than most other couples I've seen, including my own parents.

One of them has children from a previous relationship (An odd agreement with a lesbian woman that they would marry so that they could have children, since it was not legal for either to adopt at the time.) Once they divorced, they still spent time together and raised their girls as co-parents. Both girls have grown up to be happy and beautiful young women who are raising children of their own

Not only should it be easier for same-sex couples to adopt, single people should have more options for expanding their family as well. As long as there are empty arms aching for children, there should be children placed into those arms.

medicwife

on Dec 15, 2011 at 6:27 PM

Love Love Love this! Congrats to the new family:)

Aurastar

on Dec 15, 2011 at 6:33 PM

Yaaay~~

butterflymkm

on Dec 15, 2011 at 9:05 PM

Congrats to them and to David for getting a forever home. And it's awesome that their community has been so receptive. The tides are turning for the better and I couldn't be more proud. Much love and best wishes!

billsfan1104

on Dec 15, 2011 at 9:47 PM

For a while there, I do admit that I was against gay adoption. I struggled with this, because of religion. I then talked to a priest. He told me that there wasnt anything about adoption that is a sin. That and a few other things changed my mind. I really think(I mentioned this before), that people need to wath "true life" on MTV. This was an episode on having gay parents. I saw this old gay couple that had an adopted mixed child(they were white). i watched how they interacted with her, and watched her graduate and go to college. The love between the three of them was so deep. I thought to myself, that there are so many kids out there that need this type of love, and if it is two people of the same sex that can give them that love, then I am all for it.