In a state as politically conservative, 'in the Red', and basically owned by the religious right as Tennessee is, at least a few sane politicans still exist. Not all good news, but small steps forward (or at least not back) in a place where there is usually only steps backward into the last century.
Anti-Gay Provisions Dropped From Tennessee Adoption Bill
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: March 9, 2005 2:02 pm ET
(Nashville, Tennessee) A bill to block gays from adopting in Tennessee has been gutted by a House subcommittee removing all restrictions on gay parenting.
The legislation would have barred gays and lesbians from adopting or becoming foster parents to the thousands of children in state orphanages and foster care.
Supporters of the measure said the children would be better off remaining in orphanages than being with a gay parent.
The bill was stronger the blanket gay adoption law in Florida, considered at present to be the toughest in the nation. Florida permits gays and lesbians to be foster parents.
The measure was sponsored by Rep. Chris Clem (R-Lookout Mountain) who was a cosponsor of last year's amendment to ban same-sex marriage.
''This is a coalition of a lot of people that believe that heterosexual Ozzie-and-Harriet-type family ought to be given priority in adoption,'' Clem said.
When the legislation reached the House Domestic Relations Subcommittee on Tuesday, Rep. John DeBerry ( D-Memphis) proposed the amendment removing references to ''homosexual persons'' in Clem's bill.
But, it was not all good news for gay families. DeBerry's amendment would give preference to heterosexual, married couples in state adoptions.
''At some point in time, all laws have to go back to a principle,'' he said. ''The principle that this law goes back to is that up until maybe the last 30 years marriage was between a man and a woman.''
Several other Democrats on the subcommittee voiced displeasure with both Clem's original measure and the amended version.
''This is political pandering of the worst sort. I think anytime a child is placed in a loving and compassionate environment around people who care, it's to the benefit of the child,'' said Rep. Beverly Marrero (D-Memphis).
Rep. Mike Turner (D-Old Hickory) said there should be more focus on divorce rates than on same-sex couples who want to adopt.
''Heterosexual marriage is almost like a Dixie cup, you drink it and you throw it away,'' said Turner. ''It's a sad day for me and it's a sad day for the people of this state.''
Nevertheless, the amended bill passed 7-3 and now heads to the House floor for a full vote.
The Senate version of the bill is still in the Senate Judiciary Committee but no action had been scheduled on it.
There were 9,853 children in state custody as of Jan. 31. Last year, 1,115 children in state custody were adopted.
Similar legislation to bar gay adoption in Virginia was also gutted in committee in that state last month. (story)
Anti-Gay Provisions Dropped From Tennessee Adoption Bill
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: March 9, 2005 2:02 pm ET
(Nashville, Tennessee) A bill to block gays from adopting in Tennessee has been gutted by a House subcommittee removing all restrictions on gay parenting.
The legislation would have barred gays and lesbians from adopting or becoming foster parents to the thousands of children in state orphanages and foster care.
Supporters of the measure said the children would be better off remaining in orphanages than being with a gay parent.
The bill was stronger the blanket gay adoption law in Florida, considered at present to be the toughest in the nation. Florida permits gays and lesbians to be foster parents.
The measure was sponsored by Rep. Chris Clem (R-Lookout Mountain) who was a cosponsor of last year's amendment to ban same-sex marriage.
''This is a coalition of a lot of people that believe that heterosexual Ozzie-and-Harriet-type family ought to be given priority in adoption,'' Clem said.
When the legislation reached the House Domestic Relations Subcommittee on Tuesday, Rep. John DeBerry ( D-Memphis) proposed the amendment removing references to ''homosexual persons'' in Clem's bill.
But, it was not all good news for gay families. DeBerry's amendment would give preference to heterosexual, married couples in state adoptions.
''At some point in time, all laws have to go back to a principle,'' he said. ''The principle that this law goes back to is that up until maybe the last 30 years marriage was between a man and a woman.''
Several other Democrats on the subcommittee voiced displeasure with both Clem's original measure and the amended version.
''This is political pandering of the worst sort. I think anytime a child is placed in a loving and compassionate environment around people who care, it's to the benefit of the child,'' said Rep. Beverly Marrero (D-Memphis).
Rep. Mike Turner (D-Old Hickory) said there should be more focus on divorce rates than on same-sex couples who want to adopt.
''Heterosexual marriage is almost like a Dixie cup, you drink it and you throw it away,'' said Turner. ''It's a sad day for me and it's a sad day for the people of this state.''
Nevertheless, the amended bill passed 7-3 and now heads to the House floor for a full vote.
The Senate version of the bill is still in the Senate Judiciary Committee but no action had been scheduled on it.
There were 9,853 children in state custody as of Jan. 31. Last year, 1,115 children in state custody were adopted.
Similar legislation to bar gay adoption in Virginia was also gutted in committee in that state last month. (story)
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