April 23, 2005
Sen. Nelson Opposes Talton Amendment
By Byron LaMasters
The LGRL blog found this Fort Worth Star Telegram article:
he Senate author of a bill designed to overhaul the state's protective service agencies said Thursday that she will work to strip a controversial provision that would prohibit gays and lesbians from serving as foster parents.
"I will strenuously object to that amendment going onto the bill," said state Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Lewisville. "I do not want this bill being at risk of being tied up in court."
Nelson's remark came two days after the Texas House voted to include the ban on gay foster parents in what state leaders say is a desperately needed measure to fix systemic problems in the state Department of Family Protective Services. The agency oversees Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services, which have been under criticism for more than a year amid reports of widespread and sometimes deadly abuse and neglect.
Nelson said she is concerned that the ban on gay foster parents, pushed by state Rep. Robert Talton, R-Pasadena, would probably become a magnet for lawsuits and that it might cause upheaval for the thousands of children in homes where the foster parents might be gay or bisexual.
So, which will win out? Republicans desire to limit lawsuits, or their desire to hate gay people? That's a tough one...
Posted by Byron LaMasters at April 23, 2005 11:53 AM
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Wow. that is amazing. I take back some of the things I've said about her. :)
Perhaps the Dems who voted for this atrocity ought to take stock, as Nelson does not exactly come from a liberal district.
I heard Governor Goodhair was at the front of their backing off this issue. What's the deal?
Good for Senator Nelson. While hate wins in Texas, the children suffer. As a Catholic and former educator, I am shocked that Texas might become the first state to bar gay citizens from becoming foster parents. Not only does the Texas legislature's vote to approve the Talton Amdendment make no moral sense, children end up suffering for this display of hate. Sexual orientation is not something that can be taught or "caught". Moreover, these kinds of harmful ideas have no place in local or state government.
While states such as Connecticut. Lousiana, and (hopefully soon) Maryland are finally standing up for equality and justice, hate and stereotypes still dominate much of Texas legislation. Discriminating against gay foster parents feeds the homophobic hysteria that teaches people how to perpetuate inequality and hateful prejudices. As a result, Texas children suffer.
I commend legislators such as Senator Nelson for wanting to reform Texas's Child Protective Services agency and improving standards for foster care selection. There must be improvements made to the system to overcome racial disparities and drug use. However, outlawing responsible and mature foster parents (who happen to be gay) from providing homes to children is absurd. This policy discriminates unnecessarily and only weakens the foster care system. People have a right to hate. But children have a right to loving families.
