Missouri Grants Lesbian Couple the Right to Be Foster Parents

-- Citizenlink.org

A judge in Missouri ruled Friday that homosexuals can be foster parents, The Kansas City Star reported.

The state originally denied a license to Lisa Johnston because she had a same-sex relationship, which is illegal under Missouri law. Johnston wanted to raise a child with partner Dawn Roginski.

Citing the 2003 U.S. Supreme Court decision Lawrence v. Texas, which ruled existing state sodomy laws unenforceable, Jackson County Judge Sandra Midkiff said the state had no basis to deny Johnston the license.

"This is a victory for all the children in the Missouri foster-care system," Johnston said. "I'm overwhelmed with joy."

Deborah Scott, spokeswoman for the Department of Social Services, said the state plans to ask the court to stay its decision while the appeals process plays out.

She said the department was "disappointed by the decision and its implications for the state of Missouri."

Bill Maier, vice president and psychologist in residence at Focus on the Family, said a child is better served in a home with married, heterosexual parents.By approving same-sex parenting, he said, "you are deliberately depriving a child of either a mom or a dad."