A lesbian couple, Jennifer Haseman and Hillary Jovi, together for 12 years, began the process of adopting a child just hours after Florida’s child advocacy agency announced it wouldn’t fight a court ruling that found the state’s decades-long ban on such adoptions unconstitutional.
Upon hearing the news the couple almost immediately contacted Family Services of Metro Orlando, central Florida’s child protective contractor, to begin the process of adoption.
Both Haseman and Jovi, who have battled infertility said, “We’ve wanted to adopt ever since we discussed wanting a family, we always wanted to have our own children and adopt.”
The couple said they even considered moving back to New York just for the opportunity to adopt, whereas it’s been illegal for three decades for same-sex couples in Florida to adopt.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist ordered the Florida Dept. of Children and Families to halt the adoption ban following opinions from the states appellate court and circuit court.
DFC spokeswoman Carrie Hoeppner added, “I don’t think for us it’s about sexual orientation as it is about a kid that deserves a second chance with a good parent or parents.”
Howard Simon, the executive director of Florida’s ACLU chapter says the case is not final yet, “What is needed now is a similar statement from Florida Attorney General Bill Collum that will formally end this case and allow judges to decide, on a case by case basis, what is in the best interests of children.” McCollum, a noted homophobe has until October 22 to file an appeal.
Good luck ladies!!
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