I am writing about the minimum adoption standards: 22VAC40-131-170 Part B now being discaussed on the floor.  The standards states: "The licensee shall prohibit acts of discrimination based on race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, disabilility or family status...
 
What this essentially means is that anyone of any sexual orientation or family status cannot be denied an adoptive or foster care placement of a child.

We have gotten so worried about being "Politically Correct" about "Equal Rights" that we are now willing to jeapordize the well being of innocent children who are at the mercy of the government.  "Equal Rights" means equality when on trial, it does not mean the "right to have everything everyone else has".  If this were the case, we would all have the "right" to live in mansions...and everyone would have the same material goods...

When it comes to CHILD WELFARE, there is no such thing as "equal rights" to adoption.  If we lower the standards to "MINIMUM" then we open the door to a host of possibilities that perhaps no one has thought of before...For example, what about the RIGHTS of POLYGAMISTS to adopt a child?  You can bet that if this "MINIMUM" standard goes through, there certainly will be a case for this in the future.  Or what about the RIGHTS of PEDOPHILES?  Will they be allowed to adopt, because their RIGHT to be a parent is in peril?

The key term that anyone should be concerned with is "CHILD WELFARE"...Is it in the child's best interest to live in a home that demonstrates the best that humanity has to offer: A loving home with a mother and father at the helm?

And finally, will it be in the child's BEST INTEREST to grow up in the CHILD WELFARE system because groups, such as Catholic Charities, will be forced to close (because they cannot comply with the "MINIMUM STANDARDS ACT")?  Because these groups believe in MAXIMUM STANDARDS when it comes to the well being of children? 

If you truly are concerned with the welfare of children, please vote "NO" to "MINIMUM STANDARDS"

I