Gay Dads Must Appear on
Birth Certificate, Judge Rules

A federal judge has given Louisiana 15 days to add the names of two out-of-state fathers to the birth certificate of the Shreveport-born son they adopted.

U.S. district judge Jay Zainey maintains that because the adoption by Oren Adar and Mickey Ray Smith became formal in New York, the adoption law of that state applies. In New York, same-sex couples can list both parents' names on their child's birth certificate. Louisiana officials counter that under their state law, two single people cannot adopt a child, and same-sex relationships are not recognized. The state is asking the 5th U.S. circuit court of appeals to overturn the ruling and to halt Judge Zainey's order.

In addition, a bill pre-filed in the Louisiana legislature on Tuesday would make it illegal to create a birth certificate for anyone who did not meet state's adoption laws. Only single people or married couples may adopt in the state.