SENATE PASSES ADOPTION BILL

The Senate gave final approval to HB 1330 today.  The vote was party-line 20 to 15, during which 11 Democrats added their name as co-sponsors.  
 
The debate today was passionate and raised different issues than yesterday, when the bill was labeled part of the “homosexual agenda.”  Sen. Tapia gave a particularly moving speech about all the challenges that face families and children.  (See Media links below.)
 
The Senate made no changes to HB07-1330, so today’s vote was the final passage and the bill goes next to Gov. Ritter for signature.

OPPOSITION SWAMPING GOVERNOR WITH CALLS AND EMAILS

The opposition has been swamping the Governor’s office with phone calls and sending emails, urging him to veto the bill.

Therefore, Equal Rights Colorado is asking all of our members, families and friends to also contact the governor and urge him to sign HB07-1330 into law.

ACTION

• Contact Governor Ritter now and urge him to sign HB07-1330 into law. (See below for relevant contact information.)
• Urge friends and family members to do the same.

CONTACT GOVERNOR RITTER NOW!

Web Site: www.colorado.gov/governor/contact.html
Email: Governor.ritter@state.co.us
Phone: (303) 866-2471
Fax: (303) 866-2003
Mail:
Bill Ritter, Governor
136 State Capitol
Denver, CO 80203-1792

TALKING POINTS

• It is better for the public purse if two adults are financially responsible for every child.  
• Many same-sex couples already have children, but in most cases only one partner is legally responsible for their well-being.
• HB07-1330 would give these children greater financial security by establishing a legal relationship between the children and the second, adoptive parent or partner.
• HB07-1330 would ensure that the adopted child can receive health benefits from both parents.
• A just released study published in the latest issue of the “American Sociological Review” shows that adoptive couples spend more money on their children and invest more time with them through activities like eating and reading together, as well as discussing problems. The study was funded by the National Science Foundation, the Spencer Foundation and the American Educational Research Association.*
• Numerous other studies over the years have shown gay and lesbian parents possess just as good parenting skills as heterosexual parents.*
• Research reveals that children adopted by same sex couples lead just as healthy and productive lives as children adopted by heterosexual parents.*

*The American Psychological Association Policy Statement on Sexual Orientation, Parents, & Children states that "there is no reliable evidence that homosexual orientation per se impairs psychological functioning. Second, beliefs that lesbian and gay adults are not fit parents have no empirical foundation."
    *Children who are born to or adopted by 1 member of a same-sex couple deserve the security of 2 legally recognized parents. Therefore, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports legislative and legal efforts to provide the possibility of adoption of the child by the second parent or coparent in these families.
    Children deserve to know that their relationships with both of their parents are stable and legally recognized. This applies to all children, whether their parents are of the same or opposite sex. The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes that a considerable body of professional literature provides evidence that children with parents who are homosexual can have the same advantages and the same expectations for health, adjustment, and development as can children whose parents are heterosexual.  When 2 adults participate in parenting a child, they and the child deserve the serenity that comes with legal recognition. (From AAP web site)

MEDIA LINKS

Rocky Mountain News - Same sex adoption bill passes Senate

The Denver Post - Adoption for same-sex couples faces last Senate OK

DOWNLOAD HB07-1330:


HB07-1330 allows a child to be adopted by a specified second adult parent upon the written and verified consent of a single parent if the child has no other legal parent. Allows the use of the same home study report in cases where the sole legal parent adopted the child within 6 months prior to the second adoption and the second adult parent was involved in that home study report.

OUR MISSION

Equal Rights Colorado is an all-volunteer, 501 (c) (4) non-profit organization whose mission is to promote equal rights for Colorado’s GLBT communities and their families through non-partisan, state legislative advocacy.

EQUAL RIGHTS COLORADO

PO Box 9798
Denver, CO 80209-0798
Phone: (303) 733-7743 Extension 309
E-mail: erc@equalrightscolorado.org
Web Site: www.equalrightscolorado.org