Jerry Nadler: “I rise today to oppose the Largent Amendment to the D.C. Appropriations Bill. This legislation would prevent joint…”

“I rise today to oppose the Largent Amendment to the D.C. Appropriations Bill. This legislation would prevent joint adoptions by individuals who are not related by blood and marriage. In effect, this amendment, under the guise of ensuring the security of children, would prevent otherwise qualified couples from adopting the tens of thousands in need of adoption. We are all aware that this amendment would prevent gay and lesbian couples from adopting children. I find it hard to believe that there are still members of this Congress who can believe that sexual orientation has a direct affect on a person's ability to raise a child. The American Psychological Association has conclusively decided that there is no scientific data which indicates that gay and lesbian adults are not fit parents. Research by the APA has also determined that having a homosexual parent has no affect on a child's intelligence, psychological adjustment, social adjustment, popularity with friends, development of sex-role identity and development of sexual orientation. To maintain assumptions otherwise is unfair, and scientifically unfounded. It is my belief, and I'm sure that with a moment's consideration you will all agree, that the issue of adoption is best decided by parents and trained professionals on a case-by-case basis, based on the best interest of the child. We should not deprive children of families that are capable of raising them.”