Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Thanks To A Judge, Florida Becomes A Little More Tolerant

The ballot measures across the country dealing with GLBT rights was a true shame, and shows us just how we have to go in order to achieve equality in our nation. Florida, Arkansas, Arizona and California were just the latest four to restrict the rights of a minority defined by their sexual orientation. However, as the battle in California moves to the courts, one victory was had today in Florida, as Judge Lederman in Miami found that the gay adoption ban in the Sunshine State was unconstitutional.

From PageOneQ:

Miami Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman ruled Tuesday there was "no rational basis" for prohibiting gays from adopting children.

The ruling will allow 47-year-old Martin Gill to adopt two young brothers he has cared for as foster children since 2004.

Florida has one of the strictest bans on gay adoptions in the country. A judge in Key West ruled in September that the ban was unconstitutional, but that ruling has had limited legal impact.

Of course there will be an appeal, but this development is certainly a good sign. The will of the majority should never infringe on their rights of a minority simply for the way they are defined. Judge Lederman gets it, the California Supreme Court got it before Prop 8 was hatched and hopefully the rest of our judicial system will see it as well so that everyone is afforded human rights.