Seeking Adoption Equality
LGBT adoption gets the focus of lawmakers and the White House, but a presidential proclamation calling for equality without mentioning ''gender identity'' raises eyebrows

By Chris Geidner
Published on November 2, 2011, 1:46pm

http://www.metroweekly.com/news/?ak=6710

On Monday, Oct. 31, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced the Every Child Deserves a Family Act – a bill previously introduced in the House by Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) – in the Senate to end discrimination in adoption and foster care based on sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status. On Tuesday, Nov. 1, President Barack Obama launched National Adoption Month with a proclamation declaring, "Adoptive families come in all forms."

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After declaring that adoptive families "come in all forms," however, Obama's proclamation provides less inclusive parameters than would be provided for in the Every Child Deserves a Family Act. He writes, "With so many children waiting for loving homes, it is important to ensure that all qualified caregivers are given the opportunity to serve as adoptive parents, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, or marital status."

That less inclusive message brought criticism to Obama from the Human Rights Campaign, which earlier this year endorsed the president's re-election bid.