I am a first grade teacher in the city of Richmond.  I have seen many great parents over the years. Parents who are gay, straight, lesbian, single moms, single dads, grandmothers, aunts, foster parents-all great parents who all share two things, a strong love for their children and a desire to raise them well.  I believe that the state of Virginia needs to complete a strong background check on all would be parents, and if they don't find anything that convinces them otherwise, should allow our children to be cared for and adopted by anyone who is qualified without regard to sexual orientation.