Lobbying efforts are intensifying over a proposed regulatory change that would prohibit Virginia adoption agencies from discriminating based on sexual orientation.
The suggested change would require state-licensed private and church-run adoption agencies to allow gay couples to adopt children.
Gov. Bob McDonnell would have to sign off on the changes, and he told reporters this week that thinks the existing regulations are proper.
The Human Rights Campaign today ran a full page ad in The Times-Dispatch calling on McDonnell to support the regulatory changes that Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's administration set in motion before he left office. But McDonnell appears to be leaning the other way.
"I don't think we ought to force Catholic Charities to make that part of their policy or other similarly situated groups," he told reporters this week.
McDonnell said many of the state's adoption agencies are faith-based and should be able to establish their own policies.
"This is about children, not about politics," HRC President Joe Solmonese said in a news release. "Thousands of children could finally find their forever families and have the opportunity for a happy, healthy life if these regulations are enacted. We ask the governor to think about the children and we hope the State Board of Social Services is ultimately guided by the best practices established by the child welfare profession, and not by discriminatory motivations that create barriers to permanent families for Virginia's children."
The Family Equality Council is also calling on McDonnell to support the change.
"For those children who need parents, there is nothing of greater value than the support and love of people who want to make a difference in their lives," Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Family Equality Council, said in a statement.
Asked about the proposed change that started under his administration, Kaine said this week that the sexual orientation prohibition was added into the regulations by the Social Services board. He said it never came to his desk as governor, but that someone in McDonnell's shop did sign to have the regulatory process continue.
"I will state unequivocally I do not believe that agencies that work with adoption should discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation or any other ground other than the best interest of the child," Kaine said. "That should be the criteria. They should not discriminate in placing for adoption or foster care."
There are equally passionate feelings on the opposing side.
Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William, first drew attention to the proposed changes this week in an e-mail urging people to lobby the governor to reject the proposed language. He called them radical anti-family proposals.
"These changes may cause some church-run adoption agencies to discontinue their services in Virginia. They shouldn't have to chose between violating their moral views or serving children in need of families," he said.
The regulations will next go before the Social Services board and eventually to the governor for review.
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