The fact that gay people cannot adopt children is American hypocrisy at its worst The Instigator is here with yet another soapbox to stand upon. I take up the issue of Gay Adoption in America. Should we deny a couple or an individual the chance to adopt a child purely based on their sexual orientation? My simple reply to that question is no. In the first place having children is not a licensed practice; there are no real qualifications one must have to become a parent, other than the proper “plumbing.” In other words, the message we send to our children, and to all other peoples of the world, is that I can have children even if I am inept, if I show my child no love or affection, or even if I want to preach hatred, violence, and racism, I am allowed to have children. But gays cannot adopt. The second major argument I have with our policy toward gay adoption is the fact that we don’t seize children from gay households. If gay people are so detrimental to a child that they cannot adopt them then by no means should they be allowed to keep children they have already had. Either gays should be allowed to adopt children or children simply shouldn’t be in gay households period. The hypocrisy of this situation appalls me. It should appall you and sicken you that an injustice such as this continues to exist. For example, suppose we decided that anyone who is Lutheran is not qualified to adopt a child, simply based on his or her religion. We decide this because we believe that there is something questionable about their choice of lifestyle. Should we then allow children to stay in Lutheran households? No, not if we believe that Lutherans are somehow being detrimental to child’s welfare sim ply based on lifestyle. As long as the child is not going to be subject to physical and emotional by Robt ri for The Cap it a l The Student Government Meeting featured two guest speakers on November 12. Carolyn Julian from Financial Aid thanked the SGA for funding the Male Health Issue event. Jennifer Wertz from the marketing communications office came to ask support from the SGA on Earth Day. SGA President Parul Luthra reported that she recently had a conversation with Mike Cooper, University Park’s Commonwealth Campus Student Government (CCSG) president Luthra said she has been told that “PSH is a great representative and an up-and-coming campus.” Vice President Mary Anne Nguyen reported that the SGA made $125.00 at the “Magical Night of Giving” event. She also said that the next OAB meeting will be held on November 21 st at 12:30 pm and at 5:00 pm, with pizza served. Treasurer Lawrence Leynes presented the amount to be allocated for the SGA’s budget, which was $34,800.00. All pres ent members approved the amount. Senator Andrea Nye motioned that Spring Semester s Clubfest should be on January 29 1 * 1 and This motion was also approved. abuse by the parents, there is no need to deny them the chance to adopt. As long as the child will be cared for, then there is no reason to deny prospective parents the chance to adopt. Denying a child the chance, the mere chance at a happy life is wrong. Denying people the chance to adopt based on a lifestyle that is not harmful, and not been shown to be harmful (because I have no knowledge of any credi ble studies that shows that children w/homosex- “The hypocrisy of this situation appalls me. It should appall you and sicken you that an injustice such as this continues to exist." ual parents are dealt with any more irreparable harm any of our lifestyle choices could possibly deal our children) is simply wrong. In the last hundred years we as a nation have come so far in the advancement of basic human rights. We have seen the Civil Rights move ment break down the walls of racism. The women’s rights movement has afford ed women the right to vote and to marry whom they choose and the right to work and be free. Yet, I can’t help but wonder, how far have we really come? Children in foster care or in orphanages lack what all children have a right to- a family. If the choice is between shuffling a child from foster home to foster home or keeping them in an orphanage till they are 18 OR allowing a gay couple or gay parent (or a straight single parent but that is another issue) I will always choose the latter. meriDian A Years Free Rei, #/// Sign A lease By March, 30 2003, and You’re Automatically Entered te Win. Check Out the Fabulous Amenities We have te Offer: Spacious Two Bedroom, Two Full Bath Apartments 'On Site Fitness Center and Study lounge 'On Site laundry 'Utilities included 'Parking Available * Convenient location Meridian on College Avenue 646 last College Avenue State College. PA 16801 *l4 231-98(0 on college avenue HURRY, I.JMITED TIME OFFER. APARTMENTS ARE GOING f ASP"
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