Gay adoption before Legislature, courts

Apr 30, 2009 1 min read

MIAMI (AP) – When Martin Gill met two young brothers named John and James, whom he later adopted, they had ringworm and no smiles. Four years later, at ages 4 and 8, their smiles come easily.

When Dennis Baxley met an 8-month-old baby named Jeff, whom he too adopted, the boy had been shaken to the point of brain damage and blindness. Baxley said they had an “instant bond”.

For all three children, adoption meant rescue from abuse or neglect.

But Baxley is among several Christian leaders who doesn’t think Gill should have been allowed to adopt.

Gill is gay.

Now the state Legislature is faced with a bill aimed at overturning the state’s 1977 ban on gay adoption, and Florida’s Third District Court of Appeals must resolve a lawsuit over the issue stemming from Gill’s case. The case is likely to move on to the Florida Supreme Court.

The court case will likely resolve questions posed by gay rights advocates before the bill does.

The legislation is expected to die without coming to a vote before the Legislature adjourns next week.