The last remaining U.S. ban on adoptions by same-sex couples could soon be overturned
Mississippi is the only state in the nation with a law banning same-sex couples from adopting, but given the Supreme Court's recent ruling in favor of same-sex marriage, that could soon change. Civil rights lawyers filed suit in federal court on Wednesday challenging the law, and according to legal experts, it is "highly unlikely" that the 2000 Mississippi law could hold up in court.
"In the federal courts, I'm pretty confident Obergefell will be construed broadly," Ronald Krotoszynski, a constitutional law professor at the University of Alabama, told The New York Times. "I think it would be hard to draw a principled distinction between marriage and adoption, so it shouldn't be a hard case."
Furthermore, the Mississippi governor who signed the ban into law 15 years ago has since publicly admitted that he regrets the decision. "I believed at the time this was a principled position based on my faith. But I no longer believe it was right," Ronnie Musgrove wrote in an op-ed published in The Huffington Post. "As I've gotten older, I came to understand that a person's sexual orientation has absolutely nothing to do with their ability to be a good parent."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published