Martin Gill

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.

Miami Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman ruled Tuesday there was "no rational basis" for prohibiting gays from adopting children. The ruling will allow 47-year-old Martin Gill to adopt two young brothers he has cared for as foster children since 2004.

Florida has one of the strictest bans on gay adoptions in the country. A judge in Key West ruled in September that the ban was unconstitutional, but that ruling has had limited legal impact.

During 15 years as a child-welfare judge, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman has been a lawyer, a social worker and even a bit of a cheerleader, encouraging troubled parents to make better choices.

When Lederman rules later this month on a gay foster father's petition to adopt the two small boys he has raised since 2004, she will have to wear yet another hat: social scientist.

Florida is the only state that outright prohibits gays and lesbians from adopting.

Now, those who support and oppose gay adoption are awaiting a decision in a Miami court case they think could provide ammunition to overturn the state law.

The case involves Frank Martin Gill and his unidentified male partner. In 2004, the state encouraged the couple to provide a foster home for two boys. Gill hopes to become their adopted father.

A North Miami gay man has started a court fight to adopt two children he and his partner have cared for since 2004 through the state's foster program.

According to MiamiHerald.com, Frank Martin Gill [pictured] took two half-brothers into his North Miami home in 2004 when a child abuse investigator asked for his help. It was supposed to be temporary, but that was years ago.