Arkansas: Gay foster parents ban protects kids

http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=7541

Lawyers for gay couples told the Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday that a policy banning homosexuals from becoming foster parents is unconstitutional, but the state argued that it protects children's moral and spiritual welfare.

Because the state has banned gay marriage, and its Child Welfare Agency Review Board bars unmarried couples who live together from becoming foster parents, gay couples cannot have foster children, said Kathy L. Hall, attorney for the Department of Health and Human Services.

The state is appealing a 2004 lower court decision that found the welfare board's 1999 ban to be unconstitutional.

The state's utmost concern is the health, safety and welfare of foster children, "and that can't happen in a home where unmarried sex occurs," Hall said.



I wonder how Ms. Hall can keep a, pardon the pun, straight face while spewing this garbage

gay parents. They say it is harmful but never go into details. Could it be they are making this up?

I think that explanation pretty much takes the ruling into unconstitutional territory. Since when is the spiritual welfare of citizens within the responsibilities of government?

I think not.

that having an unadopted child in an orphanage or state home is more harmful to it than having two gay, loving parents who want the absolute best for the child.

A lot of children are going to hate her guts when they grow up.