ACLU Sues State Over Adoption Restrictions

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a federal lawsuit in Greensboro seeking expanded adoption rights for same-sex couples.

Jeff Tiberii: Two years ago the North Carolina Supreme Court banned second parent adoptions for same-sex and unmarried couples. That means children with gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender parents can legally only have one recognized guardian. The ACLU says this is a violation of the equal protection clause of the US Constitution; and can also cause problems in everything from parent consent forms to medical coverage and emergencies. Marcie Fisher-Borne has two children with her partner Chantelle.

Marcie Fisher-Born: We had this family together. The thought that we’re not even at a place to adopt the children that are already ours seems silly and sad

North Carolina recognizes each woman as the mother of the child they carried, but not as the mother for their other child. The ACLU lawsuit asks for a ruling allowing same-sex couples to jointly adopt. Second parent adoptions are legal in 20 states.