Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Arkansas Has Done it Again!

Arkansas is trying to put an issue on the ballot that prevents unmarried couples living together from adopting or fostering children. Basically, those Arkansas folks don't think gay people should be around kids. (Click here for the whole story.)

The sponsors think a household where kids are raised by a mother and a father are the "gold standard." Funny...I know plenty of people who grew up raised by single parents who are absolutely wonderful. I know plenty of people raised by a mother and a father who are complete whack jobs.

I don't see how this initiative could stand up in court. Unmarried single people are OK but unmarried couples are a problem? Do we have so many loving homes for children that we need to turn people away?

Case In Point

My hair dude is gay. (Big shocker!) He and his partner fostered three children and adopted a son. They split up, but are sharing custody of the boy. I have never seen a more adorable little boy in my whole life - red hair, big dimples, a constant smile. The two are phenomenal parents.

In the news, I read all the time about married heterosexual couples who do horrible things to their kids - prostitute them, put them in the microwave, push them down the stairs, shake them. I just don't think a marriage license automatically makes you a better parent.

"They'll Infect the Kids with Gayness"

I know people think gay adults will turn children gay. I call bullshit - every single gay person I've ever talked to was born that way. Children are more likely to be molested by a heterosexual adult than a homosexual adult. Either you're a pedophile or you're not - if you're attracted to adults, you're not likely to start scoping out the playgrounds.

I just don't understand why people spend so much time worrying about what other people are doing. It doesn't affect them. (Granted, murder, abuse and pedophile activities are exceptions.) You want to be gay? Fine! Go be gay! You want to adopt a kid? Go ahead! Doesn't affect me either way.

We'd be a better country if we spent less time worrying about what happens in other people's bedrooms and more time worrying about people who don't have health insurance, people who can't afford to buy gas, people who are working three jobs and still can't make ends meet. But apparently, some people think it's more Christian to persecute gay people than it is to help the poor.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree!!!

Whenever I see things like this, I also think it is hypocritical to not also include in their ballot issue a ban on divorce and childbirth out of wedlock. Certainly these are not in tune with their definition of a "gold standard". I wish they would spend their energy finding ways to make the process of finding a child a family easier for the child and adoptive families.

I also think about all those children who just want a home where someone will love them, take care of them, teach them, discipline them, and make them feel secure. They don't care who/what their parent(s) are, they just want a parent.

During my adoption process, someone told me the most important thing in an adult's decision to adopt, is that they have a desire the parent a child.

Eljabo said...

Well said! I admire you for adopting a child - it's so important!

(And these Arkansas peeps are insanely hypocritical!)