I'm writing to urge you to ensure that Virginia state regulations pertaining to adoption enter the 21st century and ensure that adoption agencies cannot discriminate against gays and lesbians in their adoption criteria.  The only considerations for an adoption agency should be finding an appropriate, loving home for a child in need of a family.

Social science has firmly established that sexual orientation has no impact on whether a person can make a good adoptive parent and professional organizations (pediatricians, pyschiatrists and psychologists to name a few) are on record as supporting equal consideration of gays and lesbians as suitable adoptive parents for a child.

It's time for Virginia to set aside its shameful discriminatory past with regard to adoption by gays and lesbians and embrace common sense, well-established social science, and yes, the best interests of the child.