Date: Thu, 22 Apr 99 16:56:37 -0500 From: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Subject: [NGLTF PRESS] NH Set to Repeal Adoption Ban *********************************************** NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE Contact: Betsy Gressler, Deputy Political Director 202-332-6483 ext. 3306 800-757-6476 pager bgressler@ngltf.org 1700 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20009 www.ngltf.org *********************************************** NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATE VOTES TO REPEAL ADOPTION BAN; GOVERNOR COMMITTED TO SIGNING INTO LAW "The Senate knew this bill was about supporting the best interests of children seeking adoptive or foster parents" -- Brendan Denehy, Out and Equal - New Hampshire WASHINGTON, DC --- April 21, 1999 --- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force today celebrates the New Hampshire Senate's 18 to 6 passage of a bill to repeal that state's 1988 ban on adoptions in which "one or more of the adults is a homosexual." The bill, HB90, passed the House on March 18, 1999. Governor Jeanne Shaheen has pledged to sign the bill. "This is a tremendous victory for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered families," said NGLTF executive director Kerry Lobel. "But the real winners today are the overwhelming number of children waiting to be adopted into loving, caring families. The best interests of the children should always triumph over bigotry." "We're very pleased that the measure passed. The Senate knew this bill was about supporting the best interests of children seeking adoptive or foster parents," stated Brendan Denehy, spokesperson for Out and Equal - New Hampshire, the statewide GLBT group that lobbied for passage of the measure. "We hope today's vote sends a message to other states that being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered does not disqualify them from being good parents." After New Hampshire's repeal becomes law, only Florida will continue to ban such adoptions, based on a 1977 law. This year, Arkansas passed a regulation banning foster care and Utah banned adoptions of children who are wards of the state. Similar anti-gay legislation has been introduced this year in Texas, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Arizona. New Jersey became the first state to mandate the GLBT and unmarried couples should be evaluated using the same standards as heterosexual, married couples. Some other states allow joint adoption as a matter of common law. Three state Supreme Courts - Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York - have expressly permitted second parent adoptions in which a lesbian or gay man adopts a partner's child. Many states' lower court have similar rulings. New York has enacted regulations providing gay people the same level of eligibility in adoption as non-GLBT applicants. For more information, also contact Brendan Deheney, Out and Equal - New Hampshire, 603/358-6160. For other state legislative activity, please consult the 1999 Legislative Updates issued by the Task Force at http://www.ngltf.org/legupdate99. For a complete review of 1998 activity, reference "Capital Gains and Losses," a state by state review of GLBT and HIV/AIDS-related legislation at http://www.ngltf.org/cgal98. -30- _____________________________________________________________________ Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force works to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society. _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have a question regarding this post, please direct it to the contact at the top of this message. If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to . You may also unsubscribe by visiting http://www.ngltf.org.