Having left the GOP behind him, Florida
Governor Charlie Crist has come out in favor of allowing gay people
to adopt.
In a videotaped interview with Time
magazine released Thursday, Crist said he now believes judges should
be allowed to decide whether gay men or lesbians can adopt. Florida
is the only state in the nation that bans gay men and lesbians from
adopting children outright.
“I think probably the best decision
maker would be a judge,” Crist said. “Currently, we have a law
on the books in Florida though that precludes that from happening.
I'm sure that a future Legislature and maybe the next governor might
address that issue.”
During a four city media tour last year
to promote adoption, the governor hinted that he had softened his
stance on the issue when he told reporters that he would need to
“think about” supporting legislation that lifts the ban.
But the bill, sponsored by
Representative Mary Brandenburg of West Palm Beach and Senator Nan
Rich of Weston, eventually stalled out in the Florida Legislature.
The 33-year-old
law faces a serious challenge in the courts. The state has
appealed a 2008 ruling that found the ban to be unconstitutional and
to have “no rational basis.” The Third District Court of Appeals
is expected to hand down a ruling any day now.
Crist left the Republican party to run
as an independent for the U.S. Senate.
The governor, who's
been the subject of numerous gay rumors himself, also said
Thursday that he supports government recognition of gay couples with
civil unions, not marriage.