Reputable child advocacy groups continue to speak out against the ban and have issued scientific research and clear-headed policy statements condemning laws that automatically exclude gay and lesbian people from being considered. Among the organizations are the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Psychoanalytic Association, National Council of Adoptable Children, Child Welfare League of America, National Association of Social Workers, and others.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there is no credible scientific evidence that the sexual orientation of parents has any effect either on the quality of parenting or on the wellbeing of their children.

Throughout Florida, thousands of children are being raised by gay and lesbian people, either as foster parents or, increasingly, as part of planned families. It is time for the Florida legislature to step up and repeal this harmful ban so that these children will be able to enjoy the same safety and security as other children - protections that only legal adoption can provide.

Judge Birch, of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, wrote the 2004 majority opinion upholding the constitutionality of the ban, and added a personal note: "If I were a legislator, rather than a judge, I would vote in favor of considering otherwise eligible homosexuals for adoptive parenthood...I consider the policy decision of the Florida legislature to be misguided...."

We need you to help in the fight to make the "best interest of the child" the primary consideration in adoption decisions. Allowing gay and lesbian parents to adopt would expand the pool of eligible loving, nurturing and permanent homes for Florida's most vulnerable children. Help make Florida the state you want it to be.