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.