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CNN Live At Daybreak

Gay Adoption Now Backed By Pediatrics Society

Aired February 05, 2002 - 06:42   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Now to the United States, where the children of gay couples have faced some long-time prejudices. In most places, the door to adoption has been slammed in their faces.

But CNN's Kathy Slobogin tells us a new report by the American Academy of Pediatrics may change that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sometimes I feel quite certain there's a Jertan (ph) in the...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Curtain.

KATHY SLOBOGIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Dan Skahen and Wayne Smith are licensed foster parents. In the last two years, they've taken many severely abused and neglected children -- like this 3-year-old -- into their home.

DAN SKAHEN, FOSTER PARENT: We've got eight children through our house ranging in ages from seven months to 15 years old.

SLOBOGIN: But although Smith and Skahen are considered fit to be foster parents, by law they cannot adopt children because they're gay.

WAYNE SMITH, FOSTER PARENT: There's literally a question on the application and it says, "Are you homosexual? Yes or no?" And if you check yes, the form tells you, stop right there. You're disqualified; you're out of the game.

SLOBOGIN (on camera): These men live in Florida, one of three states which ban homosexual adoptions. About a dozen states have considered such bans in recent years. Smith and Skahen are two of the plaintiffs challenging the Florida law in federal court. They lost the first round; now they're appealing that decision.

(voice-over): Today's American Academy of Pediatrics report endorsing homosexual adoption puts the weight of several child welfare groups on their side.

DR. ELLEN PERRIN, PEDIATRICIAN: What the research shows is that there's no disadvantage conferred upon children by being raised in a family where the parents are gay or lesbian, compared to a family where the parents are heterosexual. SLOBOGIN: A recent review by the American Psychological Association concluded, "Not a single study has found children of gay or lesbian parents to be disadvantaged in any significant respect." But Ken Connor of the Family Research Council says, "Homosexuals make poor parents."

KEN CONNOR, FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL: ... the rates of depression are higher. Of drug abuse, again, higher still. The number of sexual partners dramatically greater. And I think it's the fair for the legislature to conclude that these are circumstances that bode well for the best interest of the child.

SLOBOGIN: Smith and Skahen say they should be judged on their own merits, not as members of the group. They say they've seen severely traumatized children blossom in their care.

(on camera): Do you think it's harmful for a child to grow up without a mother and a father figure?

SMITH: I think that it's more harmful for kids to be neglected. I think it's more harmful for kids to be abandoned. And I think it's more harmful for kids to be abused. And all of those things occur in all kinds of family settings.

SLOBOGIN (voice-over): Smith and Skahen's case goes to the appeals court next week. But win or lose, they say they'll continue to take children into their home.

Kathy Slobogin, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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