WASHINGTON – New York’s junior senator is pushing federal legislation to lift the ban on gay couples and individuals adopting children.
Between New York’s same-sex marriage act and the repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, the momentum is there for the needed reform, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said.
“This legislation would open thousands of new foster and adoptive homes to children ensuring they are raised in loving families,” Gillibrand said of her “Every Child Deserves a Family Act.”
New York, particularly New York City, has led the nation in allowing gay individuals, and now married gay couples, to become foster and adoptive parents.
But 11 states currently ban gay individuals and same-sex couples from adopting. Some conservative groups have fought the idea, arguing homosexual parents cannot provide a sound family.
“Both of my parents were, obviously, straight, but they abused me, made me feel like I was nothing,” said Arelis Keane, 25, a veteran of New York City’s foster care system, who was eventually adopted by her gay foster mother, Mary Keane.
“What could be so wrong with being with someone who makes me feel like my life matters?” Arelis said of her adoptive mom.
Mary Keane, now 63, said she went through something of a midlife crisis around age 50 and volunteered to be a foster parent.
“My kids are amazing,” said Keane, who has 12 foster kids, ages 22 to 40, adopted five of them and plans to adopt five more.
“It’s tough. They push you away, but you hold on. It’s like a rollercoaster ride. You can’t jump off, so you hold on, scream sometimes, and at the end say, ‘wow, that was a cool ride,'” she added. “My being gay was never an issue for them.”
Adoptive daughter Anni Keane, 28, couldn’t agree more.
“My birth family is very religious. Homosexuality is not at all accepted,” she said.
“I had to put my foot down and say this ‘homosexual’ person saved my life! They had to accept it. And if they have problems with it, well, at least they don’t say it to my face.”
agendar@nydailynews.com
