Category Archives: State Courts
Arkansas Supreme Court strikes down adoption ban
The Arkansas Supreme Court unanimously upheld a lower court ruling that struck down the state’s ban on adoption and foster parenting by any person cohabiting with a sexual partner outside of marriage. The state high court said the law violates
Arkansas Supreme Court reconsiders adoption ban
The Arkansas Supreme Court heard arguments March 17 in a case to determine whether the state constitution will allow a law banning any person cohabiting with a sexual partner outside of marriage from adopting or foster a child. It is
Delaware Supreme Court confirms lesbian mom is a parent
The Delaware Supreme Court issued a ruling upholding the right of a woman to be identified as a "de facto" parent of a child she had been raising with her former same-sex partner—a child the partner adopted but that the
California high court will weigh in on Yes on 8 standing issue
The road to marriage equality in California just got a little longer. The California Supreme Court said today it would make ruling on whether Yes on 8 proponents have authority, under California law, to appeal a federal court ruling that
Warning: Anti-Gay States May be Hazardous to Your Health
Same-sex couples with adopted children living in states with anti-gay adoption laws and attitudes had more mental health issues in their first year of parenthood than couples with adopted children living in more accepting states, a new study has found.
North Carolina Ruling Jeopardizes Same-Sex Families
The North Carolina Supreme Court on December 20 voided the adoption by a lesbian mother of the child who she and her former partner, the biological mother, were raising together. The ruling jeopardizes the legality of all other such "second-parent
Iowa justices get the boot
All three Iowa Supreme Court justices up for retention this month have been given the boot. The vote sends a chilling message to other justices who face retention votes and must rule on the constitutionality of laws that adversely affect
Florida attorney general does not appeal gay adoption ruling
Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum announced Friday that he will not challenge a September 22 state appellate court ruling that overturned Florida’s ban on adoption by gay men or lesbians. This means the 33-year-old ban has ended.
Florida Gov. and agency won’t appeal court adoption ruling
Neither the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) nor Governor Charlie Crist will appeal a September 22 ruling that overturned the state ban on adoption by gay men or lesbians. But will state Attorney General Bill McCollum appeal on
Florida: Won’t enforce adoption ban
Florida Governor Charlie Crist (I) and George Sheldon, head of the state’s Department of Children and Families (DCF), said they would no longer enforce the state ban on adoption by gay men and lesbians.
