Adoption ban bad for children and gay couples

Any notion I had of equality in the United States was stripped the moment the Arkansas adoption ban was passed. 

This ban prevents unmarried couples from adopting children in Arkansas, yet its underlying purpose was to strip gays and lesbians of their right to become parents.

It shows a complete disregard for the well-being of adoptive children, especially considering “Arkansas has three times as many children who need homes as people willing to adopt or foster them,” according to Brett Kincaid, campaign director for Arkansas Families First. 

I cannot fathom how the ethical situation is then to put more restrictions on who is allowed to adopt children. Although gay and lesbian couples should be allowed to adopt, it is important that all potential adoptive parents be screened to make sure they are safe and fit parents, regardless of their sexual orientation. 

Furthermore, while I do agree that in many instances adopted children who grow up in the care of married couples will have a higher quality of life, this was not the intention of those who crafted the ban.

Ironically, this ban is supported mostly by Christian evangelicals. According to the Web site for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, their story is based on “a powerful and patient God who has boundless love for all people of the world.” 

Since when are gays and lesbians not people? If we are to move forward as a nation toward acceptance of gays and lesbians, we need to dispel this notion that gays and lesbians are unworthy of the same privileges as all couples: the right to love, marry and adopt.

Leah Hecht
IU freshman