Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, a holiday which celebrates the
love and commitment we have for one another. As parents, partners, and friends
around the world gather to reflect upon their affectionate bonds, the state of Virginia
is rushing to halt the creation of loving families.
Del. Todd Gilbert (R-Woodstock) and Sen. Jeffrey McWaters
(R-Virginia Beach) are sponsoring a bill which, if passed, will allow private
adoption agencies to deny placements if they conflict with their religious or
moral beliefs. The bill, which supposedly aims to protect religious freedoms,
has already passed both chambers and now awaits Governor Bob McDonnell (R)’s
signature, something he has already agreed to sign once it reaches his desk.
“What this bill is
designed to do, is allow any agency to discriminate based on sexual orientation
[and gender identity],” Sen. Mark R. Herring (D-Loudoun) said during a
committee hearing. Christine James-Brown of the Child Welfare League of America
also expressed
her displeasure with the proposed law: “These children have been through so
much already. It is cruel to deny them a secure home with a qualified family
that happens to differ from the religious or moral beliefs held by a particular
agency.”
Several legislators are objecting to the bill based on
financial grounds in addition to its discriminatory language. In Virginia,
there are 77 private agencies which are funded by the state. “You have the
right to exercise religion as you see fit,” says Sen. John Edwards (D-Roanoke),
“but you don’t have a right to impose it on someone else using state dollars.”
A federal bill would override Virginia’s anti-family
legislation, and would also overturn similar laws in Utah, Arizona, and
Nebraska. The Every
Child Deserves a Family Act (H.R. 1681/S. 1770), sponsored by Rep. Pete
Stark (D-CA) in the House and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in the Senate, is
currently pending action in Congress. ECDF would open up more homes for foster
youth by restricting federal funding for states employing discriminatory
practices in adoption and foster care placements based on sexual orientation,
gender identity, or marital status or the sexual orientation or gender identity
of the foster youth involved.
Take Action: Email your
Members of Congress and ask them to support the Every Child Deserves a
Family Act (H.R. 1681/S. 1770) today!
1 comment:
It's almost a year. I hope this federal action bill have made its mark. Back home, we also make sure that families are safe by calling in perth locksmith to install bolts and locks.
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