Great Moments In Florida History

Which state has laws that clearly forbid gay adoption? If you guessed Florida then you get a cookie.

In 1977, former Miss America runner-up Anita Bryant was positive that gays and lesbians wanted to adopt children to foster a new generation of homosexuals. "Since homosexuals cannot reproduce," Bryant said, "they must recruit and freshen their ranks." Bryant spoke of the LGBT community, as if it was run like a division 1 college football team.

Bryant recruited her own blue chip Christian conservatives; including sexual puritan Jim Bakker to repeal an anti-gay and Tink Winky arch-enemy Jerry Falwell. Together they defeated an anti-gay Dade County anti-discrimination ordinance. Bryant went on to ban gays and lesbians in Florida from adopting. Now Florida has foster children performing below grad level and running away.

The Supreme Court had an opportunity to hear the case Angela Gilmore v. the Department of Children & Familes and Charlie Crist. The plaintiffs argued that the law violated their 14th amendment rights due process and equal protection. The plaintiff cited the Lawrence v. Texas decision, as protectinh their sexual privacy. The 11th Circuit Court ruled that the plaintiffs arguement was moot. "Adoption is not a right; it is a statutory privilege," the Court reasoned. The Supremes wouldn't bother hearing the case.

Presidential candidate John McCain publicly stated he is against gay adoption. The Straight Talker ducks the question about what to do about children stuck in the foster care system.

Q: President Bush believes that gay couples should not be permitted to adopt children. Do you agree with that?

Mr. McCain: I think that we’ve proven that both parents are important in the success of a family so, no I don’t believe in gay adoption.

Q: Even if the alternative is the kid staying in an orphanage, or not having parents.

Mr. McCain: I encourage adoption and I encourage the opportunities for people to adopt children I encourage the process being less complicated so they can adopt as quickly as possible. And Cindy and I are proud of being adoptive parents.

Q: But your concern would be that the couple should a traditional couple —

Mr. McCain: Yes.

Anita Bryant promoted Florida orange juice. From these clips you learn that cans grow on trees and Bryant enjoys singing in orange groves.