Proposal would ban gays from adopting children

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RICHMOND -- Lawmakers will consider a bill that would forbid homosexuals from adopting children.

Delegate Richard H. Black has proposed a bill that would add new criteria for adoption reports filed with the circuit court. The Loudoun County Republican's bill amends the state's adoption law by adding a phrase that states: "No person under this statute may adopt if that person is a homosexual."

Current law permits any person or married couple residing in the state to petition to adopt.

Herb Lux, Mr. Black's legislative assistant, said the measure would require investigators during the screening process to ask an adoption candidate whether he or she is a homosexual.

Investigators also check out, among other things, an adoption candidate's health, whether he or she has a criminal record and whether he or she is fit to be a parent.

The bill is pending in the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee.

Equality Virginia, the state's primary homosexual rights group, opposes Mr. Black's bill.

"Our primary concern is that it would keep hundreds if not thousands of adoptable children from good homes," said Dyana Mason, the group's executive director. "It's a disingenuous argument to make that two loving people can't commit to raising a healthy child. That's just wrong."

Miss Mason also said studies show that "children being raised in homes with gay parents are turning out just fine, thank you very much."

Delegate Robert G. Marshall, Manassas Republican who is a co-patron of the bill, said the proposed restriction is necessary.