Gay Adoption Ban
in Arkansas Trailing in Polls

Arkansas's Proposed Initiative Act 1, which would prevent any couple who is not married from adopting or caring for a foster child, looks headed for failure, according to the recently released Arkansas Poll.

The drastic measure on November's ballot is opposed by 55% of Arkansas's conservative electorate, and supported by 38%. Proponents of the measure -- which needs over 50% of votes to pass -- advocated for Act 1 as a way to prevent gays and lesbians from adopting children in the state. Arkansas voters may have been turned off the sweeping nature of the act, which Arkansas Families First is fighting to defeat.

"Personal feelings about an issue can be different from policy preferences," said Janine Parry, the poll's director and a professor of political science at the University of Arkansas. "After looking at this issue for several years, it seems to me that many Arkansans -- both liberals and conservatives -- are uncomfortable dictating the family arrangements of others, whether they agree with them or not." (Neal Broverman, The Advocate)