During a forum on Friday, a Democrat seeking to represent an area of west Florida in the state legislature defended gay parenting, while his GOP challengers all voiced support for the state's ban on adoption by gays.
Attorney Michael Steinberg received applause at the Tampa forum when he said Florida's 33-year-old ban on adoption by gays should be struck down. The five Republicans said children were best raised by a mother and father.
Steinberg was criticized by his challenger when he compared Florida's ban on adoption by gays with the battles mixed-race couples once faced over custody of children after divorce.
