It is without question, that adoption should be based on the characteristics and qualifications of the adopter, however, discrimination about additional factors such as sexual orientation should have NO bearing on this process.

I am a physician, upstanding citizen and practicing Christian.  Through my work, I see parents and children on a daily basis; predominately heterosexual parents (single and couples).  There are more times than I wish to remember seeing adopted/foster children in the care of their adopters/foster parent(s) when clearly love is not the basis of these adoptive decisions.  I can say with 100% certainty sexual orientation is NOT a predictor of the success of an adoption or overall, longterm success of the child.  It's about the parent(s) motive and coming from a place of love.  Children are children, no matter their background.  They seek love.  And love coming from a stable family environment is a much more prosperous place for a child as compared to being left in an orphanage, bounced around to different foster families or being placed in a family that factors other than love may be their motivation to have a child.

Please reconsider adoption for all.  It's 2011 and discrimination should have no role in the adoption process as it also should have no roll in any other process.  Let's get these children to loving homes and not get caught up in elements that have no bearing on love or successful adoptions.

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1.   The best interests of the child should be the sole factor in deciding whether a child should be placed with a prospective foster care or adoptive parent or parents.

2.    State-licensed child placing agencies should not be allowed to discriminate against children or prospective parents based on race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, disability and family status.

3.    The State Board of Social Services should restore to the final rules the protections against such discrimination included in the proposed rules.