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July 21, 2006

Missouri lifts ban on gay foster parents

Officials in Missouri announced Tuesday that they have lifted regulations that automatically prevented gays and lesbians from becoming foster parents. But a spokeswoman for the state’s Department of Social Services said it might still be difficult for gays to become foster parents despite the ban's lifting.

Deborah Scott said her department will consider the biological parents' preferences and also take into account the abuse and neglect that occurred to the child. She said that might sway the state’s decision to put a child with gay or lesbian foster parents, which, in her words, "would be confusing or add trauma to an already abused or neglected child."

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and Western Missouri told reporters it questions that reasoning and asked the state for additional information. A spokesman for Gov. Matt Blunt said the governor "still believes gay foster homes aren't the best place for foster children," adding that the department shouldn't intentionally discriminate against people solely because of their sexual orientation. (Sirius OutQ News)

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