When Senator and presidential hopeful John McCain denounced adoption by same-sex couples in July, it brought the issue to the forefront of the minds of GLBT voters.
McCain, who is an adoptive parent, said in an interview with the New York Times on July 13, "I think that we’ve proven that both parents are important in the success of a family, so, no, I don’t believe in gay adoption."
Soon after McCain’s statement, Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Family Equality Council, sent a letter to McCain and Senator and presidential hopeful Barack Obama asking the candidates to clarify their positions on GLBT adoption.
Chrisler wrote, "What policies and positions will you take to make sure that all loving families are recognized, respected, protected and celebrated?"
In McCain's letter of response, dated Sept. 19, he made no mention of adoption and wrote of his commitment to conservative principles. The Family Equality Council received the letter on Oct. 3 and released a statement saying McCain dodged the question.
Obama replied to the Family Equality Council in a letter dated Aug. 1 saying he supports continuing to extend equal treatment in American family and adoption laws. Obama wrote, "The desire to build a life with a loved one, to provide for a family and to have children who will grow and thrive — these are desires that all people share, regardless of race, sex, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity."
GLBT rights activists across the nation were quick to point to years of research supporting the importance and value of adoptive same-sex parents.
"This is what is true about lesbians and gays raising children: 30 years of scientifically valid research universally demonstrates that LGBT families are just as nurturing for children's growth and development as heterosexual families," said Kara Suffrendini, the director of Public Policy at Family Equality Council, a GLBT family rights advocacy organization. "The American Psychological Association has stated that 'Gay and lesbian parents are as likely as heterosexual parents to provide healthy and supportive environments for their children.'"