It is my belief that all children deserve a loving, forever family. As you know, there are more than 1,000 children waiting to be adopted in Virginia. Decisions about prospective parents should be based on the best interest of the child, and not on discriminatory factors unrelated to good parenting. When agencies act in the stead of the state, they should be bound by principals of non-discrimination even if they are private agencies.
When I was younger, I had the opportunity to photograph a young foster child in order for her picture to be presented to families looking to adopt a child. It was my aunt, a child services worker, who had asked me to take the photos in hopes that the lighthearted images of the young girl playing on a farm would catch the eye of a warm and loving and permanent family. We only wanted the family to be able to love, support, and care for the young girl. While in the end she did find a permanent family, I know there are many children in Virginia who have not been lucky enough to find their forever families. Please don't deprive them because of discriminatory factors unrelated to good parenting.
