Mississippi's gay adoption ban is dead

Mississippi's ban against gay couples adopting children is dead after the state didn't appeal a federal judge's injunction, said the lead counsel for plaintiffs.

Roberta Kaplan, attorney for the Campaign for Southern Equality, told Buzzfeed News the deadline passed without Mississippi filing an appeal of a federal judge banning enforcement of the state law.

Mississippi was the only state left in the nation banning same-sex couples from adopting without regard to their qualifications as parents or the best interests of the child, the group says.

The legal challenge case was filed on behalf of four same-sex couples: Kari Lunsford and Tinora Sweeten-Lunsford, who are seeking to adopt a child; Brittany Rowell and Jessica Harbuck, also seeking to adopt; Donna Phillips and Janet Smith, parents to a young daughter; and Kathryn Garner and Susan Hrostowski, who have a 15-year-old son. Two organizations — the Campaign for Southern Equality and Family Equality Council — have joined the case as plaintiffs representing LGBT families across Mississippi.

U.S. District Judge Dan Jordan issued the injunction March 31, saying the law violated the Constitution's equal protection clause as the result of last year's landmark Supreme Court ruling.

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http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/05/03/mississippis-gay-adoption-ban-dead/83884788/

Good.