State Judge Overturns Ark. Adoption Ban Law

Source: Associated Press

A state judge on Friday overturned an Arkansas law banning unmarried couples living together from adopting or fostering children, saying the measure infringed on a person's right to privacy.

The law effectively banned gays and lesbians from adopting or fostering children because they are unable to legally marry in Arkansas.

Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Chris Piazza said in a two-page ruling Friday that people in ''non-marital relationships'' are forced to choose between becoming a parent and sustaining that relationship.

''Due process and equal protection are not hollow words without substance,'' Piazza said. ''They are rights enumerated in our constitution that must not be construed in such a way as to deny or disparage other rights retained by the people.''

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/04/16/us/AP-US-Arkansas-Adoptions.html

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http://arkansasnews.com/2010/04/16/judge-strikes-down-adoption-ban/
Judge strikes down adoption ban

Good news. . .another small step for the Gay rights but "a big step for humanity!!!!"