Child's Adoption Struggle Launched on ACLU Web Site

Compiled by GayToday American Civil Liberties Union Steve Lofton and Roger Croteau (middle row) with their family New York, New York -- Saying that Florida's gay adoption ban threatens to take a 10-year old boy from the family he's been with since he was nine weeks old, the ACLU Lesbian & Gay Rights Project today launched www.LetHimStay.com. The site details the story of Steve Lofton, Roger Croteau and their five kids and includes a section from Rosie O'Donnell. The family is a plaintiff in the ACLU's federal lawsuit challenging Florida's across-the-board ban on gay people adopting children. The site also includes detailed information on that case and gay parenting restrictions generally. It features an area where visitors can send messages directly to Kathleen Kearney, Secretary of Florida's Dept. of Children and Families, and Governor Jeb Bush. Following is a brief statement from Matt Coles, Director of the ACLU Lesbian & Gay Rights Project: "Florida's ban on gay adoption would take a boy from the only family he's ever known -- and it keeps 3,400 children in Florida's foster care system, waiting to be adopted. We urge everyone to visit this web site, learn more about this family and this issue, and write to Florida's officials to make their voice heard. "While urging viewers to visit the site this morning on her show, Rosie O'Donnell said people are going to get tired of hearing this web site address in the coming weeks. And that's just fine with us. We want Florida to get tired of hearing about how much this discriminatory law hurts children and families. Tracy, Bert, Wayne, Ernie and Frank "The nation's leading children's groups and even a growing number of the legislators who passed this law now say it's wrong and hurts kids. Now it's your turn -- go to http://www.LetHimStay.com and take action."

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