Gay Foster Parents Ban Could Go on The 2008 Ballot|Channel 7 News

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Gay Foster Parents Ban Could Go on The 2008 Ballot

posted 10:58 pm Thu October 04, 2007 - Arkansas

tags: gay • foster • ban • ballot

The decision of whether to ban gay and unmarried couples as foster parents may now go to voters in the 2008 election.

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Channel 7 News - Gay Foster Parents Ban Could Go on The 2008 Ballot

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Attorney General Dustin McDaniel approved an initiative Thursday, which will allow supporters of the ban to collect signatures in support of placing the issue on a ballot.

Now that their initiative has been approved, the Family Council Action Committee must collect at least 78-thousand votes in order to get their proposal on the 2008 ballot.

It was struck down by the state Supreme Court in 2006 and failed in the state legislature during the 2007 session, so proponents of a ban on gay and unmarried foster parents decided to take the issue to the voters.

After one failed attempt in September, the Family Council Action Committee got their initiative approved on Thursday.

(Dustin McDaniel, AR Attorney General)"They incorporated all of our changes, so upon review we were able to certify it."

At issue is a ban, which would prohibit all gay, lesbian and unmarried couples from acting as foster parents. Supporters of the ban say it all comes down to child welfare.

(John Thomas, Family Council Action Committee)"We believe that every kid needs the best shot at life and every study shows us that a kid that is in a home with a married mom and dad tends to have better outcomes."

But those against the ban say safeguards are already in place to determine who would make a good foster parent and this ban would only hurt foster children.

(Thomas)"There are not enough homes for them and there are wonderful gay and lesbian couples who would make wonderful parents."

The Family Council Action Committee has until July 2008 to collect the signatures needed to place the initiative on the 2008 ballot.

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