Relationships and Family Ohio's LGBT families are not fully and equally protected by state law. Ohio does not perform or recognize same sex marriages, civil unions or domestic partnerships. In addition, the state's Constitution was amended in 2004 to say:
Ohio also limits marriage to "one man and one woman" by statute. Loving couples who are LGBT who wish to adopt children
or seek to be a custodial parent of their partner’s biological child,
face struggles and barriers to full protection under the law. In Ohio,
unfortunately, the courts have not been willing to allow two same-sex
individuals to adopt a child together, nor have they approved of a
second-parent adoption when the other parent is the same sex as the
first parent. What Ohio Voters Truly Believe While the majority of Ohioans do not currently support marriage equality for loving same-sex couples, they do understand that LGBT couples deserve to be treated with fairness and dignity. A 2006 poll of Ohio voters told us that:
Protecting Our Children LGBT couples who wish to adopt children, or who seek to be a custodial parent of their partner’s biological child, face serious challenges and barriers to full protection under the law. In Ohio, unfortunately, the courts have not been willing to allow two same-sex individuals to adopt a child together, nor have they approved of a second-parent adoption when the other parent is the same sex as the first parent. In addition, extremist groups in Ohio have been threatening to put forth an effort to outright ban all adoptions by LGBT individuals. Both of these policies harm the children of Ohio
who are being raised in loving, supportive households or who are looking
for a family to call their own. Why an Adoption Ban is Wrong Simply put, the best interest of each child should be paramount when screening potential adoptive or foster parents. The determination of what is in the best interest of the child should be left in the hands of qualified medical and legal authorities. Case workers, local agencies, and family court judges are the experts who know the child and the prospective parents best. Broad restrictions against entire categories of potential parents hamper efforts to act in the best interest of each child. There are no, medical, legal or child-welfare basis for banning gay parenting. Respected professional organizations that advocate for the health and welfare of children have expressed official support for same-sex adoption and foster parenting when it is in the best interest of the child. This includes social workers, pediatricians, psychologists, and others (see resource list, below). A ban on an entire category of potential parents shrinks Ohio’s already small pool of adoptive and foster parents. The result: children will have to wait even longer for a permanent home. Right now, over 6000 children in Ohio are looking for a loving, permanent adoptive family. A ban against a broad category of Ohioans from adoption or foster parenting serves no valid purpose. It is simply an act of discrimination with no basis in fact or law. Gay parents and their children are just as happy and healthy as heterosexual parents and their children. The research is abundant and clear. (see resource list, below) Resources on LGBT adoption Organizations with official
statements supporting fair and equal parenting rights for gay
and lesbian parents: Please see "Too High A Price: The Case Against Restricting Gay Parenting" from the ACLU for detailed analysis and research. |
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