In
a full-page ad in Thursday's Richmond
Times-Dispatch, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) urges
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell to support a proposed gay-inclusive
adoption policy.
Currently, the state only allows
married couples and single folks – regardless of sexual orientation
– to adopt a child. Gay and lesbian couples are excluded because
gay marriage is illegal in the state. The Virginia Department of
Social Services is considering altering the policy to prohibit
private adoption agencies from discrimination based on sexual
orientation, disability or family status.
McDonnell has already said he does not
support the proposed changes, but has until April 16 to officially
file his position.
“We want to have all of our adoption
agencies, particularly those that are faith-based agencies …. to be
free to do the great work they're doing without having additional
government mandates or requirements,” McDonnell told the
Virginia-Pilot.
“Governor McDonnell: Do the right
thing for Virginia's children,” the
ad's headline says. “Governor McDonnell, don't put politics
ahead of ensuring that all children have a chance at finding a
loving, forever family.”
The changes were proposed by former
Democratic Governor Timothy M. Kaine in November 2009, less than two
months before he left the office.
Social conservatives are lobbying for
McDonnell to ask the 9-member State Board of Social Services to
abandon the proposal. The National Organization for Marriage (NOM),
the nation's most vociferous opponent of gay marriage, called
the proposal “mandatory gay adoption.”