Crist Warned: Don't Drop Adoption Suit

Florida's Department of Children and Families secretary is advising Gov. Charlie Crist not to drop the lawsuit that could result in a final decision about whether Florida's 30-year-old ban on gay adoption is constitutional.

According to ThePalm Beach Post, secretary George Sheldon, a Democrat opposed to the gay adoption ban, thinks dropping the suit would just result in the issue being dragged out.

"Everyone, no matter what side of this issue they're on, believes there ought to be some finality to a decision, whether that's a legislative decision or a judicial decision," Sheldon told the Post.

Sheldon was appointed by then-Republican Crist in 2008. His agency challenged a Miami judge's ruling that Florida's law barring gay couples from adopting children is unconstitutional.

Four district court judges have ruled the statute is unconstitutional. Attorneys for both Martin Gill, the gay North Miami man who with his partner adopted two foster boys, and the DCF have agreed that the Gill family would provide the ideal "test case" in ultimately overturning the ban.

Read the full story here.