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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 15, 2002)
march 15.2002 • Ju s t o u t , Lf Hl;* I l i v i d i m e w s F amily ties Continued from Page 1 Lofton-, 44, and Croteau, 46, are raising three Florida foster children: Frank and Tracy, both 14, and Bert, 10. Unlike the other kids, Bert is HIV- negative and younger than 14, so he is deemed “adoptable.” Every few weeks, the state sends the couple a letter updating them on the status of finding him another family. Lofton and Croteau moved to Oregon in June 1998 in part because they wanted to be closer to Lofton’s parents. They also think the Portland area is a better place to raise kids. “Coming from Miami, it’s like living in May berry,” says Lofton, who also has taken in two Ore gon children, 8-year-old Wayne and 5-year-old Ernie. “When you call City Hall they answer the phone.. .the schools are great, the parks are clean.” His kids attend Metropolitan Learning C en ter, which Lofton says is gay-friendly, progressive and understanding. He especially appreciates the schools monthly potluck for sexual minori ty parents and their children. At the most recent gathering, Lofton says M LC’s principal, counselor and psychologist pledged their devotion to his family. “They all said that they were there to support the kids in anything that might happen." M eanwhile, the ACLU is mounting a solid case against Florida’s gay adoption ban. It also has released a comprehensive paperback book, Too High a Price: The Case Against Restricting Gay Parenting, with an introduction by O ’Donnell. Anita Bryant’s anti-gay crusade— which pro Thinking of Buying or Selling a Home? lion hits in its first three days. duced some of the most notori According to the ACLU, more ous homophobia in U.S. histo than 83,000 letters already have ry— was at its peak when the been sent via the site to Florida Legislature voted on the ban in Gov. Jeb Bush and Department of 1977. “The hysteria of the Children and Families Secretary times led us to do the wrong Kathleen Kearney. thing," said Elaine Blcxim, one “It’s going to bring this issue of nine former members of the up front to a lot of people who state House and Senate who have never considered it and since have undergone a change have no idea it existed,” Lofton of heart. says. “Hopefully it’ll sway public Lawyers also have released opinion and help legislation to sworn depositions for the case in fight laws like the one in Florida which Carol Hutchison, the and others around the country.” state’s leading official overseeing But does Lofton think the adoption policy, was asked, “Do lawsuit will succeed? What you know of any child welfare about the possibility that Bert reason at all for excluding gay actually could be taken away people from adopting children?’ from the family? She answered, “No.” “Not over my dead body,” he Hutchison then was asked laughs. “No, I feel really confi if she thinks children’s best Steve Lofton (left) and Roger Croteau relax at home with (clockwise from top dent in his being here. 1 do. 1 interests would be served if les left) Bert, Frank, Wayne, Tracy and Ernie think that there are enough pro bians and gay men were gressive and forward-thinking people that are magazine, Rosie. “I don’t believe there’s a real allowed to adopt. “As I previously stated, 1 think helping to support him that something like that it’s contraindicated to rule out such a large pop debate to be had over whether gay people can be wouldn’t happen.” good parents— the only debate is whether to put ulation of people who quite possibly could meet Lofton especially gives credit to his support bias before children’s future,” she writes. the needs [of] awaiting children,” she said. ive attorneys and child welfare workers. “1 trust Lofton says: “The fact that she’s standing The ACLU told the U.S. Court of Appeals in a lot of people.” for the 11th Circuit in Atlanta on Feb. 14 that it’s Behind us really lends a lot of support, because He says the ongoing lawsuit doesn’t really affect unconstitutional for the state to have a law with she’s an ubercelebrity and people really respect the kids’ sense of security at home. “To Roger and her.... Her support is very incredible, and I’m no basis other than expressing disapproval toward 1 it’s stressful, but it doesn’t affect our family life.” gay people. “There’s no question that’s what flattered by it.” So what keeps the couple going through all O ’Donnell also has been directing viewers to Florida is doing—and it’s exactly what the Con of this? It’s simple: the children. a Web site, LetHimStay.com, which explains stitution meant to prevent,” said Matt Coles, “Our kids.. .strengthen our relationship and our the entire case. “You’re gonna get sick of hearing ACLU Lesbian &. Gay Rights Project director. devotion and advocacy,” he says. “There’s so much it, but we’re gonna say it every day until reward and there’re so many positive moments that May 22," when her final live episode airs. ’Donnell also makes a strong argument LetHimStay.com received more than 4 7 mil really outweigh the challenge and the chore." 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