Best Interest of the Child
By Robin and Kathy Gilbert-O'Neil
My wife and I want to have children. She is pregnant now, due in November. Then, in a year, it will be my turn to try to get pregnant.
We live in California, where the recently passed domestic partners bill has made a huge difference. The most important new right bestowed via that legislation, for us, allows domestic partners access to the stepparent adoption process.
I should be able to easily adopt my son (her biological child) and she will be able to adopt my biological child. This provides our children with two legal parents -- not just two parents, one legal, one not. We are so glad our children will be protected this way.
I know all too well how unexpected things can happen. Both of my siblings have died, as well as both of my parents. If something were to happen to one of us, we know that the other will be there, caring for and raising our son.
Gay adoption isn't just about fairness and civil rights. It is about what is best for the children. All children deserve the same legal protections. Our unborn child also deserves to have two parents whose marriage is legally recognized, but that is another fight.
Sept. 16, 2002