“This is about responsibility and dialogue,” said Tom Lang, KnowThyNeighbor.org’s director. “These petition signers need to stand behind their signatures and be responsible for this dehumanizing attack on the gay community. It’s disgraceful that they have chosen to exercise their prejudice at the expense of children who are now being denied access to loving adoptive and foster parents. Such activity must be challenged and cannot be allowed to pass under the cover of darkness.”

As in Massachusetts and Florida, KnowThyNeighbor.org expects that many petition signers will be confronted about their actions as their names are discovered on the website by family members, friends, coworkers, customers, and acquaintances. “These conversations can be uncomfortable for both parties,” says Lang, “but they are desperately needed. The more that gays and lesbians talk about the importance of their relationships and their love for their children, the faster stereotypes break down and both sides begin to realize how much they have in common.”

The data that appears on KnowThyNeighbor.org was provided by the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office and is a matter of public record.

Check it all out here www.knowthyneighbor.org/arkansas.

At a press conference at the Arkansas State Capitol this morning, several of the plaintiffs described how Act 1, which is set to go into effect on January 1, impacts their families and why they decided to be part of the case.

Stephanie Huffman, who already adopted one child from the state in 2004, was one of the plaintiffs who spoke at today’s press conference. Huffman and her partner of 10 years, Wendy Rickman, want to adopt another child or a pair of siblings through the Department of Children and Family Services, but now can’t because of Act 1. “The state already knows we’re good enough parents that they placed one child with us before Act 1 passed,” said Huffman. “Who knows how many children are now cut off by this law from loving homes?”

In the lawsuit filed today, the ACLU argues that Act 1 violates the federal and state constitutional rights to equal protection and due process. Participating in the case are 29 adults and children from over a dozen different families, including a grandmother who lives with her same-sex partner of nine years and is the only relative able and willing to adopt her grandchild who is now in Arkansas state care, several married heterosexual couples who have relatives or friends disqualified by Act 1 who they want to adopt their children if they die, and a heterosexual woman who wants to be a foster or adoptive parent but can’t because she lives with her partner of five years. The complaint was filed this morning in Pulaski County Circuit Court.

“Ever since the election, we’ve been hearing from all corners of the state from dozens of families who are panicking about how Act 1 impacts them,” said Rita Sklar, Executive Director of the ACLU of Arkansas. “This law hurts families and children in many ways – it takes away parents’ right to decide for themselves who will adopt their children if they die, it denies the many children in Arkansas state care a chance at the largest possible pool of potential foster and adoptive homes, and denies couples who are living together but unmarried the chance to provide loving homes to children who desperately need them.”

via ACLU

To clarify – Arkansas has voted to deny the right of parents, BOTH straight and gay to adopt or even foster children.

THIS IS EXTREME.
The extremist Christian right should be ashamed – and so should those who voted in favor of this horrible initiative. You have denied some of the most needy children a decent, loving home. Shame on you.

LEGAL CHALLENGE?
One would think that a legal challenge to this should happen pretty swiftly. We’ll be on the lookout for any news on that.

WHAT THE FUCK??
In looking at who supported this repulsive initiative, why in the hell is the #2 supporter the Arkansas Farm Bureau? Just who are they? They claim to be “a nonprofit, private advocacy organization of more than 227,000 families throughout the state working to improve farm and rural life.” I probably don’t need to say this, but why the fuck are they involved?

THE OBVIOUS
The so-called “Family Council Action Committee” was at the forefront of this shameful initiative. They are also the same group who proudly scarred Arkansas’ Constitution by getting a constitutional amendment passed banning marriage equality. It’s quite obvious that the last thing they truly care about is family or children. What a joke.