PFLAG National Praises Rep. Pete Stark's Re-Introduction of Every Child Deserves a Family Act

Launches National Web Site as a Call to Action for Non-Discriminatory Foster Care Legislation

WASHINGTON, May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- PFLAG National (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) praised Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA) for his reintroduction of The Every Child Deserves a Family Act. This legislation would expand the number of qualified foster and adoptive parents for youth in the foster care system by banning all discrimination based on sexual orientation gender identity, or marital status or the sexual orientation or gender identity of the youth involved in foster and adoption agencies that receive federal funding, potentially opening up hundreds of thousands of new homes to youth in need of placement.

In support of Rep. Stark's efforts, PFLAG National has launched a national action alert website at www.pflag.org/ecdf2011 - where people can get educated on the issues around the legislation, the facts of foster care in our country, the fiscal impact of this excellent piece of legislation, and then take action with that information by contacting their own representatives.

"There are more than 500,000 children currently in the foster care system. While 120,000 of them are available for adoption every year, 25,000 of these youth will 'age out' of the system without ever finding loving families to call their own. Tragically, more and more states' laws and practices are creating barriers for these children from accessing permanent homes. This legislation would remedy that problem," said Jody M. Huckaby, executive director of PFLAG National.

At issue is the problem with discriminatory state and local laws and practices that enable adoption and foster care agencies to legally discriminate against qualified parents for reasons including marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. In the last year, laws have been proposed, enacted and reinforced in states such as Illinois, Arizona and Utah. In fact, only six states - California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey and New York – and the District of Columbia affirmatively allow same-sex couples to jointly adopt.

"We know that when LGBT youth in particular are in loving homes with families to care for them, a whole host of risk factors decrease – they are less likely to experience poverty, homelessness, incarceration, mental illness, and pregnancy," said Huckaby. "PFLAG National is a family organization. We have been supporting parents, families and children all over the country for over 35 years, and we know from our vast experience that it is in the best interest of every child – and, in fact, the right of every child – to have the loving care and support of a family."

Leading child welfare, public health, medical and legal organizations including the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychiatric Association agree that opening up the homes of all qualified prospective parents can help support the unique needs of foster youth.

"We at PFLAG are acutely aware of the importance of every child living in a loving and supportive family environment," said Rabbi David Horowitz, president of PFLAG National. "Love makes a family, not marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Any lawmaker who states he or she is truly committed to family values should be committed to the Every Child Deserves a Family Act.  It is the right thing to do, and the right time is now."

Learn more about the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, read stories from real people about adoption and foster care, and access additional resources on this topic by visiting www.pflag.org/ecdf2011 today.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is the nation's foremost family-based organization committed to the civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. Founded in 1973 by mothers and fathers, PFLAG has 200,000 members and supporters in more than 250 chapters throughout the United States. To learn more, please visit www.pflag.org.

SOURCE PFLAG National