Florida’s courts recently overturned a 33-year-old ban on adoption by parents who are gay and lesbian.  However, no matter what your position is on adoption by parents who are gay and lesbian, we can all agree that adoption is about what is in the best interest of the children.  Each adoption case is different and the decisions around placement should be handled by experienced child health and social services experts, on a case-by-case basis – based on what is in the best interest of the child.

Why It matters:

LGBT families exist whether the state allows them to adopt or not.  Adoption bans leave children of gay and lesbian parents particularly vulnerable to stigma and prejudice. Additionally, an adoption ban denies thousands of children the opportunity to have a loving home. Opposition still wants to bring back Florida’s adoption ban and they have a good shot at making it happen. Whether they convince our Florida legislature to pass a bill or gather the necessary signatures, we cannot sit back and enjoy this victory. We must keep the anti-gay industry from attacking our LGBT families and ensure adoption remains legal through the 2012 elections.

What We're Doing:

SAVE Dade is taking a leadership role in the statewide effort to preserve the adoption victory. We are working with statewide LGBT advocacy organizations and child welfare advocates to prepare for what could be an attack on foster care children.

On February 5, 2011, organizations around the state will convene at the request of the ACLU of Florida.  The meeting will serve as the first step in coordinating efforts amongst our allies for a statewide battle.

Our Speakers’ Bureau Training will have a special emphasis on stories from gay and lesbian parents or children of gay and lesbian parents.

We are talking to child welfare advocates in Miami-Dade County asking them to support our adoption campaign.

SAVE Dade is organizing gay and lesbian parents who will be an integral part of a grassroots campaign.

We are funding research that will assist in developing a winning strategy for Miami-Dade County.

How You Can Make A Difference:

• Help SAVE Dade build a grassroots movement – lead other volunteers in canvassing and phone banking efforts in your neighborhood.
• Help by getting your company involved by supporting LGBT rights issues.
• Make a financial contribution to our adoption campaign.
• Help us identify gay and lesbian parents in your network.