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The ACLU is committed to defending the rights of LGBT parents, not only in custody and visitation arrangements but also by challenging discriminatory laws that restrict the rights of LGBT people to parent.

> ACLU Asks Court To Strike Down Arkansas Parenting Ban

> ACLU Urges Tennessee Appeals Court To Protect Rights Of Lesbian Mom

Lesbian Gay Rights : Parenting : Press Releases view all

ACLU Asks Court To Strike Down Arkansas Parenting Ban (12/30/2008)
LITTLE ROCK - The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit today seeking to strike down a new law that bans any unmarried person who lives with a partner from serving as an adoptive or foster parent in the state of Arkansas.

ACLU Urges Tennessee Appeals Court To Protect Rights Of Lesbian Mom (12/23/2008)
NASHVILLE – In a brief filed today, the American Civil Liberties Union is urging a Tennessee appeals court to remove a ban preventing a divorced mom from having her partner of nine years and her own children stay at her home at the same time. The trial court unconstitutionally imposed the so-called "paramour restriction" on the lesbian couple even though the psychologist who performed the custodial evaluation in the case found the partner to be a positive influence in the children's lives.

ACLU Seeks Immediate Florida Supreme Court Hearing For Gay Adoptive Dad And His Children (12/05/2008)

ACLU Seeks Immediate Florida Supreme Court Hearing For Gay Adoptive Dad And His Children (12/05/2008)

Florida Trial Court Opens Way For Lesbians And Gay Men To Adopt (11/25/2008)
MIAMI -- A Florida circuit court today struck down a Florida law that bars lesbians and gay men from adopting. The court granted adoptions to a gay man, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, who has been raising two foster children since 2004.

Lesbian Gay Rights : Parenting : Publications

Too High a Price: The Case Against Restricting Gay Parenting (11/13/2006)

Lesbian Gay Rights : Parenting : Legal Documents view all

Cole v. Arkansas - Complaint (12/30/2008)
Plaintiffs's complaint challenging Arkansas Act 1, the ballot initiative which banned foster parenting and adoption by unmarried couples in Arkansas.

Chandler v. Barker - Appeals Brief (12/23/2008)

In re: Gill Trial Transcript (11/25/2008)
Transcript from the trial in our challenge to Florida's ban on adoption by gay parents.

In re: Gill - Trial Court Decision and Order (11/25/2008)
Order declaring Florida's anti-gay adoption ban unconstitutional and granting Martin Gill adoption of his two sons in the ACLU's challenge to the ban.

In re: Gill - Trial Court Decision and Order (11/25/2008)
Order declaring Florida's anti-gay adoption ban unconstitutional and granting Martin Gill adoption of his two sons in the ACLU's challenge to the ban.

Lesbian Gay Rights : Parenting : Legislative Documents

Testimony of Jill G. Joseph, MD, PhD, at a Oversight Hearing on "Legal Threats to Traditional Marriage: Implications for Public Policy" before the Subcommittee on the Constitution of the House Judiciary Committee (04/22/2004)

Letter to the House on D.C. Appropriations Vote (07/29/1999)

Letter to the House on D.C. Appropriations Debate (07/27/1999)

Lesbian and Gay Rights During President Clinton's Second Term: A Working Paper Published by the Citizens' Commission on Civil Rights (01/15/1999)

Lesbian Gay Rights : Parenting : Resources view all

In re: Gill - Summary of Scientific Evidence (11/25/2008)
Summary of expert testimony on the scientific evidence regarding gay parents and their children.

In re: Gill - About the Experts (11/25/2008)
Excerpts about the expert witnesses, from the proposed findings of fact in our challenge to Florida's anti-gay adoption law.

In re: Gill - About the Experts (11/25/2008)
Excerpts about the expert witnesses, from the proposed findings of fact in our challenge to Florida's anti-gay adoption law.

In re: Gill - Summary of Scientific Evidence (11/25/2008)
Summary of expert testimony on the scientific evidence regarding gay parents and their children.

Johnston v. MO Dept. of Social Services - Plaintiff Profile: Lisa Johnston (05/03/2005)

Lesbian Gay Rights : Parenting : Fact Sheets view all

Cole v. Arkansas - Profiles of our Plaintiffs and their Families (12/30/2008)
Profiles of the plaintiffs in Cole v. Arkansas, the challenge to the recently passed ban of adoptions by unmarried couples.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas Act 1 (12/05/2008)

Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas Act 1 (12/05/2008)

In re: Gill - The Child Welfare Position (11/25/2008)
Position statements from child welfare organizations on gay parenting bans

In re: Gill - About the Plaintiffs (11/25/2008)

Lesbian Gay Rights : Parenting : Court Cases view all

Cole v. Arkansas (12/30/2008)
Challenges Arkansas Act 1, a ballot initiative passed in 2008 making it illegal for unmarried people who cohabit with a partner to adopt or foster children.

Chandler v. Barker (12/23/2008)
An appeal of the imposition of a "paramour" restriction on the custody rights of a mother in a lesbian relationship in Tennessee.

In re Hadaway - Case Profile (05/02/2007)

Johnston v. MO Dept. of Social Services - Case Profile (05/03/2005)
The Missouri Department of Social Services turned down Lisa Johnston's application to become a foster parent because she's a lesbian.

Burch v. Smarr - Case Profile (03/01/2005)

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