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Gay foster parent saves two brothers from uncertain future
St. Petersburg Times columnist Robyn E. Blumner helps us get to know the two lucky sons [John, age 8, and his brother James, age 4] of 47-year-old Frank Martin Gill, who is gay. Miami Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman ruled Tuesday there was "no rational basis" for prohibiting Gill from adopting the brothers.
Blumner describes in excruciating detail their fragile shape when the boys entered Gill's life as foster children.
"When they arrived in December 2004 at the North Miami home of their new foster parents, then-4-year-old John was wearing a dirty adult-sized T-shirt and sneakers that were four sizes too small and worn like flip-flops. Both he and his brother had scalp ringworm and 4-month-old James had an ear infection. John did not speak, couldn't hold a pencil and had never seen a book before.
"John, it seems, had only one concern and that was changing, feeding and looking out for his baby brother. At the beginning, John hoarded food and hid it in his room. His foster parents would bring him to the stove at mealtimes to see the great quantities of food available, assuring him there was plenty.
"The brothers went from a world of chronic neglect and deprivation to one that is nurturing, stimulating and safe. I know all this because it is laid out in throat-lumping plainness by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman, who ruled on Tuesday that the boys could be adopted by their foster father Gill."
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It's ABOUT LOVE... and, ...it's about Time !
God Love and Bless this Happy Home !
A long life and many prosperities.
Great story
Way to go Judge!! I can tell you, from personal experience, that gay fathers are great. I have a gay father, and he is the best dad in the world. Further, I have twin 15 year old boys, and I'm gay as well. Personally I think it's easier for us to be more nurtering to our children, we are not afraid to show our emotions, like the vast majority of straight fathers. Why on earth would anyone deny a child the chance to have a happy loving home based on someones sexual orientation? It just doesnt make sense to me...
Mr. Gill
I do not know Mr. Gill very well at all, but on August 29, I was in a car accident in his neighborhood. Another vehicle ran a red light through an intersection which I had already entered an T-boned my vehicle.
Mr. Gill apparently heard the accident and came outside of his home and went out of his way to offer assistance. He brought cold water out to us and was so kind in his concern for us, even though we were complete strangers. Mr. Gill's example of good will, kindness and concern is one that will undoubtedly forge his young children into exactly the kind of neighbors, co-workers and community members we all wish to associate with.
What is happening to this lovely family is nothing short of an atrocity. The foolish senselessness that fuels discriminatory campaigns against innocent human beings is frankly disgusting, and I am ashamed to think that, as a life long Florida resident, ONE PENNY of my tax money is being used in the attempt to destroy this family!
This shouldn't happen to anyone based on his or her sexual orientation (of all things, and in 2009 in the United States, no less!!! Outrageous!) but Mr. Gill and his family in particular are just such fine examples of gentlemen, and people of integrity and kindness that this occurrence is particularly egregious and offensive to families everywhere and society as a whole.
The trial court's decision was right
There can be no rational basis for discrimination - especially when studies show that children are not harmed by having gay parents. As a (Florida) lawyer, I applaud this decision. As a mom and grandmother, I am deeply moved by it -- and by Mr. Gill's letter to the editor of our local paper.
I hate to admit that I did not know of this case until I read the paper today. I do not practice family law and clearly had not kept up with the news. Enough excuses. I am just glad that I read the article and Mr. Gill's letter and I hope for the childrens' sake that the 3rd DCA upholds this ruling.
It would be a sad commentary on our courts and our state if it does not.