Alabama passes law allowing adoption agencies to discriminate against gays

Alabama lawmakers gave final approval to a bill protecting faith-based adoption organizations that refuse to place children with gay parents, or other households, because of their religious beliefs.

The legislation would prohibit the state from refusing to license faith-based adoption groups that refuse placements because of their religious beliefs.

via LGBTQ Nation

April 19, 2017

Alabama Senate commits “bigotry in the first degree” against same-sex parents

The Alabama Senate has passed a bill protecting faith-based child adoption agencies that choose not to place children with same-sex couples.

The Alabama Child Placing Agency Inclusion Act says that the state could not refuse to license or re-license agencies because of policies based on religious beliefs.

The bill passed with a vote of 23-9 – mostly along party lines. All eight Senate Democrats voted against it. Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, was the only Republican to vote against it.

Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, said the bill would “sanction discrimination.”

Rep. Patricia Todd, D-Birmingham, who is gay and an outspoken advocate on gay rights issues, called the bill “bigotry in the first degree.”

via AL.com