Capitol Correspondent
LANSING–The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony May 9 regarding the importance of passing the Second Parent Adoption bill. The bill would allow two unmarried persons to both adopt a child. It would allow people like an uncle and grandmother, two nuns, or two gay or lesbian people to adopt children in the state.
The current adoption code on unmarried persons adopting is unclear and has resulted in a patchwork of differing opinions across the state. Some judges will grant such adoptions, others will not.
While most people who testified did so in favor of the bill, three individuals, including two Baptist ministers and the head of the religious schools organizations, testified in opposition.
"I wonder how we, as thinking people, can support a lifestyle that through its natural course can not create children but must abduct individuals to carry on… that lifestyle," said Dr. Dean Bryana Baptist a minister from Vassar .
"My contention is that we do not have enough information yet to make a wise and compassionate decision in the best interests of our children," argued the Rev. Robert McGee of Dewitt, following a convoluted argument where he claimed the second parent adoption bill did not have enough research to support it. He said that just like the FDA would bar a new medicine from market without appropriate studies, the Judiciary committee should do the same with regard to second parent adoptions.
Following the opposition testimony, Rep. Mark Meadows (D-East Lansing) read the following statement asking each to agree or disagree with it. "Historically parents have been defined as the people who conceived or adopted a child and a family was defined as two people who conceived or adopted a child. And a family is defined as individuals related by blood marriage or adoption."
All three said they did not agree with the definition, instead saying that a family was a mother, a father and children.
Meadows then pointed out that the definition he had read was that of the conservative Christian organization Michigan Family Forum, and that they appeared to support the basic plans of the Second Parent Adoption bill.
"That's the definition of the Michigan Family Forum," Meadows responded in a moment of political gotcha. "And it seems to fit in with exactly what we are trying to do here which, is to create families that are children oriented."
Penny Gardner from Coaliton for Adoption Rights (CARES), said she is excited the bill received the hearing and is looking forward to a House vote on the bill. In the last session the bill did not receive one. Gardner said there is a lot of work still needed.
She added that the use of the word "abduct" by Bryan, in his testimony referring to children in same-sex households, was appalling.
"I think it is almost the words of desperation. They are finding new words because incest and pedophilia and abomination have run their course," Gardner said.
The bill will likely be taken up following a resolution to the current budget crisis the state is dealing with.
