Rosie O'Donell feels backlash in Florida adoption fight

http://www.nando.net/ ^ | June 25, 2002 | The Associated Press

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Entertainment: Rosie O'Donell feels backlash in Florida adoption fight

MIAMI (June 25, 2002 11:52 a.m. EDT) - Rosie O'Donnell said she's begun to feel the sting of leading the fight to allow gays and lesbians to adopt children in Florida.

She said a medical association recently rescinded an invitation to speak at their convention.

"They said they were afraid of protesters," O'Donnell told 200 women Sunday at the two-day Wise Women Weekend retreat in Miami Beach. "I'm not used to being considered controversial."

O'Donnell also responded to her opponents' criticism that her crusade is a gay issue. "I have no homosexual agenda," she said. "I have a child agenda."

The 40-year-old talk show host and comedian, who has a home in Miami Beach and has adopted three children outside Florida, said she learned about the ban when she applied to adopt a Florida foster child in her care.

"It stunned me to know that Florida, the state where I live, is the only one that does not allow gay adoptions," said O'Donnell, who came out in March.

Florida passed the gay adoption ban in 1977 at a time when entertainer Anita Bryant went on a crusade against a Dade County ordinance protecting homosexuals from discrimination.

Last August, a federal judge in Miami upheld the law in a case brought by two gay men who wanted to adopt foster children already in their care. The decision is being appealed.

O'Donnell's efforts to win support for a possible repeal of the law received little support in the Florida Legislature in March.

[DoughtyOne]

Win the game and your complete registration fees are covered for FRiva Las Vegas.

[evolved_rage]

Gosh, if she doesn't move that giant head of hers out of Floriduh it might sink.

[upchuck]

I feel sorry for her kids. Let's pray she doesn't get the chance to influence any more.

[goodieD]

"I have no homosexual agenda," she said. "I have a child agenda."

that's the problem..too many homosexuals have a child agenda.

[heylady]

For those of us old enough to remember,Anita Bryant lost her position as spokeswoman for the Florida Orange Juice industry because of her stand against homosexual adoptions.

[mystery-ak]

Too late, Rosie is about to become a mom/dad again, her girlfriend/boyfriend is pregnant.

[cuz_it_aint_their_money]

Not meaning to get off the Rosie O'Fattie bashing topic, but...

Could someone explain to me why FloriDUH even allows homos to be foster parents? I mean, it seems as if they are saying "It's alright as long as the state pays you to molest these kids, but you can't adopt them."

[YourAdHere]

Finally, after 20 years, I get this one remaining joke from "Airplane!"

Leslie Nielsen as Dr. Rumack, examining the sick patients:I haven't seen anything like this since the Anita Bryant concert.

[robertpaulsen]

Rosie, who can conceive, adopts 3 healthy white babies (those are real hard to find a home for), thereby preventing three childless couples from having a family. Sounds like she doesn't have a child agenda, she has a Rosie agenda.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Sorry, Rosie. There may be a few rare exceptions, but children raised by parents choosing to live a gay lifestyle are not happy, or healthy as adults. It's a lie to claim that pushing for gay adoptions is for the child's benefit.

Homosexuality and Child Sexual Abuse, FRC. Timothy J. Dailey, Ph.D., June 2002.
Facts about Homosexuality, teaching the truth in love...Dr. James Dobson.
Answers about Homosexuality, plus links to programs that work.