The battle of both equality and morality has become more prevalent in today's growing and diverse society. An increase in homosexuality has introduced the controversy of whether gay and lesbian couples should be allowed to legally adopt children. A major cause for controversy is uncertainty about the effects of placing children in a homosexual home. However since homosexuality has never been acceptable in our society, why should it be changed now? Though it is not fair to discriminate against a group, allowing gay and lesbian couples to adopt children is controversial because of the way children are affected, and morals our country strives on.

In the recent decade homosexuals have begun to fight for their equal rights as a minority group. Marriage by homosexuals today is still not legal in many states; therefore; it is difficult to consider them as able to adopt a child. "Thus far only British

Columbia has passed legislation to provide for the adoption of same sex partner's biological child" (Jahn, par.4). There is still a long way to go before America can consider allowing adoption by gay and lesbian couples. "In 1977, a Florida law barring gay and lesbian individuals to adop

t children became constitutional. There are actually only two other states Utah and Mississippi that prohibit homosexual couples to adopt children" (Wildman, par.1). However many times a homosexual couple may be denied custody of a child if he/she states their sexual orientation. As a result the homosexuals often leave the question blank about their sexual orientation. This has made it difficult to actually determine how many parents today are gay men or lesbians. Just recently several cases have been brought to court because homosexuals desire to adopt children and have a family just as heterosexuals are allowed. Therefore changes and arguments have surfaced in society regarding homosexuals as parents.

Another area of concern with homosexual parenting is the medical dangers involved. Lynn Wardle, as law professor at Brigham Young University "argues against homosexual adoptive parents because homosexuals have a tremendous breakup rate, as well as AIDs and other health problems associated with the homosexual lifestyle" (Lyons, par. 17). Children in foster homes and orphanages need to be given the best chance at a successful family life. AIDs which is much more prevalent in the homosexual population is a major health risk that these children would face. The child may also have to face death of a parent because of the AIDs virus, and that is an extreme tragedy that no child should be placed purposely in a situation like. In a recent study by the health researcher Mary Cooper claims, "gay men continue to get AIDs more than any other group, accounting for 58 percent of new cases reported" (Cooper, par. 3). Another danger homosexual parents may possess is child molestation. The study conducted by Garth and Birbaum states, "studies have investigated whether gay parents are more likely than heterosexual parents to molest their children sexually or to engage in inappropriate sexual activ

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