BATON ROUGE (AP) – A proposal that would allow gay couples and other unmarried couples to adopt children together in Louisiana was defeated Tuesday by a House committee.
Similar measures have been repeatedly rejected by lawmakers in recent years, and the House Civil Law and Procedure Committee voted 9-2 against the idea this time.
As proposed by Rep. Jared Brossett, D-New Orleans, the bill would have allowed adoptions by people who aren’t related to a child by blood but live in the same home and establish a relationship with the child.
“characterized by the exercise of parental affection, concern, obligation and responsibility.”
Supporters said people should be encouraged to adopt children if they can offer loving homes and secure environments. Opponents said unmarried couples are unstable, and the bill could tie children to boyfriends or girlfriends who don’t stay in a long-term relationship.
Louisiana law allows married couples or a single person to adopt a child. If a single person adopts a child and is in a relationship – whether straight or gay – the partner in that relationship has no legal parental rights, even if the partner is involved in raising the child.
 
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