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Gogirlgo
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 Posted: 04/20/05 - 12:27 Post subject: Foster parents
| Quote: |
Texas Bill Would Ban Gay Foster Parents
Wed Apr 20, 8:12 AM ET U.S. National - AP
By NATALIE GOTT, Associated Press Writer
AUSTIN, Texas - The state House tentatively approved legislation that would prohibit homosexuals and bisexuals from becoming foster parents.
Legislators voted 81-58 Tuesday to approve the ban in an amendment tacked on to a bill that would revamp the state's Child Protective Services agency. The full bill was tentatively approved 126-16. Final approval was expected Wednesday.
"It is our responsibility to make sure that we protect our most vulnerable children and I don't think we are doing that if we allow a foster parent that is homosexual or bisexual," said Rep. Robert Talton, a Republican, who introduced the amendment.
The state Senate has passed its own version of Child Protective Services reform that does not include the ban on gay foster parents.
Randall Ellis, executive director of the Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby of Texas, said the House measure would mean the exclusion of people who could be good foster parents to children who need of them.
"Mr. Talton has taken aim at the (gay and lesbian) community of Texas and thousands of children are now caught in the cross hairs," he said.
The bill also would spin off some of Child Protective Services' duties to the private sector, including foster care and case management. Private agencies already manage 75 percent of foster homes in Texas, and the state handles the rest. The bill would turn all of those functions over to private agencies.
It follows recent high-profile cases of child homicides that happened after agency caseworkers had investigated possible neglect or abuse and decided the children were safe to remain with their parents. |
So if the issue is about enforcing community standards, as it often is with matters of homosexuality or even just sexuality, what kind of standard is it to say that it's better for children to not have any kind of parents and be state raised, although we know that generally means lower self-esteem, lower IQ, higher propensity toward crime, and less education?
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copteacher
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Posted: 04/20/05 - 12:47 Post subject:
I think they (the legislators) are voting more with what has been the trend all over the country. About 75% of people seem to be against gay marriage and the like. I think the voting just seems to be some of the lawmakers not wanting grief for voting for it (the law that is).
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Gogirlgo
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Posted: 04/20/05 - 12:58 Post subject:
| rtpd113 wrote: | | I think they (the legislators) are voting more with what has been the trend all over the country. About 75% of people seem to be against gay marriage and the like. I think the voting just seems to be some of the lawmakers not wanting grief for voting for it (the law that is). |
This isn't about marriage though. I know plenty of gay parents who are great parents and so do you.
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marathonrnr262
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Posted: 04/20/05 - 13:06 Post subject:
| rtpd113 wrote: | | I think they (the legislators) are voting more with what has been the trend all over the country. About 75% of people seem to be against gay marriage and the like. I think the voting just seems to be some of the lawmakers not wanting grief for voting for it (the law that is). |
Where did you get a number like 75%?
The simple fact that someone would think that because your sexual preference is for someone of the same gender would make you a bad parent or foster parent is off the chart stupid (For lack of a better word).
The people that create these laws, or even think like that, must have a homophobia or be closet homosexuals themselves. Mocking them out in public shows everybody that you cannot possibly be like that. Do they think that if a homosexual changes a diaper, or gives the tike a kiss on the forhead, that the gay gene will be deposited on the the child spreading this hideous pervertion?
I personally think that it is the gay community themsleves that bring things like this on. Out in public holding hands, and OMG kissing. If they would just keep their discusting perverted ways locked up behind closed doors, they would have it so much better. Sorta like the governer.
The children are the ones that end up getting hurt. They could have a loving home, and have a chance to grow up with some sence of nurture. Instead they will be given back to the crack addicted mother who will sell them for a car, or make them whore for 10 bucks a trick.
Sheldon
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Sahara
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Posted: 04/20/05 - 13:58 Post subject:
| Quote: | | "It is our responsibility to make sure that we protect our most vulnerable children and I don't think we are doing that if we allow a foster parent that is homosexual or bisexual," said Rep. Robert Talton, a Republican, who introduced the amendment. |
Please tell me that the elected officials in Texas would want the most vulnerable children in their state to have loving parents to protect them from exclusionary zealots. Perhaps the state Senate will want that since 126 members of the state Legislature don't seem to.
| Quote: | | It follows recent high-profile cases of child homicides that happened after agency caseworkers had investigated possible neglect or abuse and decided the children were safe to remain with their parents. |
Hmm. Does this mean, perhaps, that those homicides because of gay and lesbian parents?! C'mon.
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robp
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Posted: 04/20/05 - 14:05 Post subject:
Are unmarried hetero couples permitted to be foster parents?
Maybe they should get the country as a whole to buy into the whole gay marriage thing before taking the next step.
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Gogirlgo
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Posted: 04/20/05 - 14:08 Post subject:
| robp wrote: | Are unmarried hetero couples permitted to be foster parents?
Maybe they should get the country as a whole to buy into the whole gay marriage thing before taking the next step. |
The vulnerable kids in question would have kids of their own before they get the whole country buying into anything. But why is this turning into a discussion about marriage? Is the word "marriage" mentioned even one time in this article?
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robp
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Posted: 04/20/05 - 14:16 Post subject:
| Gogirlgo wrote: |
The vulnerable kids in question would have kids of their own before they get the whole country buying into anything. But why is this turning into a discussion about marriage? Is the word "marriage" mentioned even one time in this article? |
Pardon me, I should have said a majority of the country buying into gay marriage. I'm not turning it into a discussion about marriage. I asked a simple question - are unmarried hetero couples permitted to be foster parents?
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marathonrnr262
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Posted: 04/20/05 - 14:23 Post subject:
| robp wrote: |
are unmarried hetero couples permitted to be foster parents? |
Yes, as are single non-couples.
Some people take the children because they like children, others take the children because they want the money that come with the foster.
If a gay couple wants the children, they chould apply as a single male/female without a sexual partner.
Sheldon
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robp
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Posted: 04/20/05 - 14:29 Post subject:
| marathonrnr262 wrote: |
Yes, as are single non-couples.
Some people take the children because they like children, others take the children because they want the money that come with the foster.
If a gay couple wants the children, they chould apply as a single male/female without a sexual partner.
Sheldon |
Thanks.
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copteacher
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Posted: 04/20/05 - 15:36 Post subject:
I got the number of "roughly" 75 % from gay marriage referendums from the last election cycle. If the votes were closer I could see more people taking harder stands but 75 is a pretty fair margin against/for something.
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keltic63
the kilted one
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Posted: 04/20/05 - 17:42 Post subject:
| rtpd113 wrote: | | I got the number of "roughly" 75 % from gay marriage referendums from the last election cycle. If the votes were closer I could see more people taking harder stands but 75 is a pretty fair margin against/for something. |
but remember, majority rule isn't necessarily fair and ethical. I'm just sayin'
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copteacher
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Posted: 04/20/05 - 18:00 Post subject:
| keltic63 wrote: |
but remember, majority rule isn't necessarily fair and ethical. I'm just sayin' |
that is correct. But one judge overruling a super majority does not seem quite fair either.
since we are a republic we elect people to make our laws. Since a majority wins the election for the lawmakers, a super majority of lawmakers voting for a bill in theory has a lot of people supporting it.
Depending on whose side one is on, many laws could not be considered "fair"
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keltic63
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Posted: 04/21/05 - 08:50 Post subject:
| rtpd113 wrote: |
that is correct. But one judge overruling a super majority does not seem quite fair either.
since we are a republic we elect people to make our laws. Since a majority wins the election for the lawmakers, a super majority of lawmakers voting for a bill in theory has a lot of people supporting it.
Depending on whose side one is on, many laws could not be considered "fair" |
which ONE judge is doing this? and if it's just one, I'm sure the problem can be handled easily. It's more than one judge, and these judges are saying our laws are unfair and discriminatory. That is the idea of checks and balances; the majority may be in favor of a law, but that doesn't make it right. courts help to keep those issues in check.
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AlaninTX
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Posted: 04/21/05 - 09:45 Post subject:
Well, I sort of have a working knowledge of the Rep. involved. Not to be sarcastic, but I will cover any bet that this ban actually survives the Senate and conference committee and becomes law in Texas.
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