Stonewall Criticizes Vote on Adoption Ban
(Tuesday, March 13, 2007)
Washington, DC - Today, the National Stonewall Democrats criticized a Democratically-controlled committee of the Arkansas Senate for choosing to advance legislation that would bar same-sex couples from adopting children and serving as foster parents in the state of Arkansas.
"Republicans have diligently pushed this adoption ban as an attempt to divide the people of Arkansas and advance their narrow interests," said Jo Wyrick, Executive Director of the National Stonewall Democrats. "As a Democrat and as a mother, I am ashamed that Senate Democrats in Arkansas have cowered to Republican pressure and failed to defend the principles of the Democratic Party. The action taken by this committee threatens the children of Arkansas and that is why the Stonewall Democrats are working to ensure that Democrats defend families instead of a Republican agenda."
On Monday, the Democratically-controlled Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee of the Arkansas Senate voted to send Senate Bill 959 to the Senate floor for a vote. The bill would ban same-sex couples from adopting children and serving as foster parents in the state of Arkansas. Senate Bill 959 is sponsored by Republican Senator Shawn Womack.
Democratic Governor Mike Beebe stated on Monday that he is still reviewing the legislation. However, during his 2006 campaign for the office, Beebe publicly stated that he would support reinstating a ban on gay foster parents that was recently struck-down by Arkansas courts. The Arkansas Stonewall Democrats revoked their endorsement of Beebe after the candidate took the position, which contradicted earlier statements made to Stonewall members.
Senate Bill 959 must now be approved by the full Arkansas Senate as well as the House of Representatives. In 2006, Kathy Webb - the founder of the Arkansas Stonewall Democrats - was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives, making Webb the first openly-gay elected official in Arkansas. Webb was elected last month to serve to the Central Committee of the Arkansas Democratic Party, where the Arkansas Stonewall Democrats were also recognized as an official caucus of the party. In that capacity, the Arkansas Stonewall Democrats seek to use their recognition to improve the policy and platform of the Arkansas Democratic Party on issues that impact LGBT families, such as adoption and foster care.
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National Stonewall Democrats is the only national organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. NSD is committed to working through the Democratic Party to advance the rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
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