The Arkansas Supreme Court has upheld a lower court ruling finding the prohibition of adoption by unmarried couples who live together to be in violation of the Arkansas Constitution. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest and most vocal organization in support of LGBT civil rights, applauded the Arkansas Supreme Court today for its decision.
In November of 2008, voters in the state of Arkansas passed a ban on adoption by unmarried couples. Today’s decision by the Supreme Court of Arkansas confirms that of the Pulaski County circuit court, which held that the 2008 law intrudes on privacy rights protected in the state constitution.
HRC president Joe Solmonese noted that the court’s decision “has removed a discriminatory barrier for loving gay and lesbian couples who, child welfare experts agree, are equally able parents.”
In the wake of today’s decision, Mississippi and Utah are the only remaining states maintaining adoption bans for unmarried couples, including same-sex couples.
