Governor Bob McDonnell says he opposes a change to Virginia's adoption regulations that could force agencies to allow unmarried and same sex couples to adopt. Many faith-based adoption groups strongly oppose that.
The new regulations have been under review, with little fanfare, for more than a year. They would require private adoption groups, including churches, to allow unmarried and same-sex couples to adopt.
Republican Delegate Bob Marshall says homosexual acts are, in his words, "intrinsically disordered." He says the rule is unfair for faith-based adoption agencies. Marshall stated, "They should not be chased out of it by a requirement that they place children in foster care and for adoption with individuals whose behaviors constitute grave violations of the moral law."
But gay rights advocates strongly disagree. 45th District Delegate David Englin (D) said, "5815 young men and women in Virginia in foster care, every one of whom has a right to a permanent family."
They're pushing Governor Bob McDonnell to sign off on the changes this month. Englin said, "I'm urging you, please keep this proposed rule in place. Don't bow to the groups that are trying to focus on these controversial social issues."
McDonnell says he's still reviewing the proposal. McDonnell said, "I think that previous efforts to expand that to a number of other classes are going to have to have some very strict scrutiny."
He says he's not inclined to support the change: "I don't think we ought to force Catholic charities to make that part of their policy."
Right now in Virginia, only married couples and single men and women, regardless of sexual orientation, are allowed to adopt. Governor McDonnell has until late next week to rule on the proposed changes.
