INDIANA????? Court OKs adoption by gay couple.

[im10ashus]

:wow:

Ruling paves way for unmarried partners to adopt
By Tim Evans
[e-mail]
April 14, 2006

An appeals court on Thursday cleared the way for unmarried couples in Indiana -- including gays and lesbians -- to jointly adopt children.

In a 2-1 decision, the Indiana Court of Appeals denied a Morgan County judge's efforts to overturn the adoption of an infant girl by a same-sex couple in April 2005 in Marion County. The judge opposed the adoption not because the partners were gay, but because, he said, Indiana law did not allow for simultaneous adoptions by unmarried individuals.

Previously, adoptions to unmarried couples were granted only if the child was either the natural offspring of one partner or already had been adopted by a partner in the couple, rights that have been granted by other recent appellate decisions.

"The main thing this ruling does is approve joint adoption by unmarried couples when it is in the best interest of the child," said Patricia Logue, senior counsel for Lambda Legal. The national organization that promotes civil rights for gays represented the couple in the appeals case.

cont'd...

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060414/NEWS01/604140505

[Psychmd]

1. It's unbelievable that a court in Indiana made this ruling....Yea

We have been following this case very closely. We live in Indianapolis and have been in the process of adopting our two foster children for the past year. We were advised by the Department of Family and Children's attorney to not try and file for a two parent adoption because it would draw attention to our case. We followed her advice and I adopted them under my name only. We did not want to risk the state trying to take them out of our home before the adoption was finalized. Now my partner can file for a 2nd parent adoption. We wanted to get the kids out of the state system as soon as possible because the state agency was in the process of trying to change policy and ban same sex foster parenting as well. We have an older gay foster teen that remains in the "system" and we are willing to enter a heated court battle with him if necessary because he can speak up for himself and advocate his desires if need be. This ruling is a great thing for gay foster parents and gay couples wanting to adopt in this very conservative state.

[bunkerbuster1]

2. Kudos to your accomplishment.

As a fellow foster parent who adopted, I salute your efforts.

Being that we were a hetero couple, of course, it was easy-peasy for us. It's criminal that it's difficult for you and your partner.

[Psychmd]

3. Thank you for your support

It is criminal what people are willing do do for their own selfish beliefs. It should always be about the children and working to find them stable loving homes. It is a shame that the abusive, neglectful parents of origin have more legal protection than gay/lesbian individuals do in these cases.

[im10ashus]

4. Congratulations!!!

I grew up in Indianapolis and was AMAZED that an Indiana Appeals Court ruled in our favor. Wonderful news indeed!!!

:-)