Don’t invent ways to block adoption | Letter

Published 4:00 pm Sunday, January 20, 2013

Today I read the three letters in the Jan. 4 issue concerning a prior letter that proposed that gay people who want to adopt a child should be required to be tested for AIDS/HIV. I agree with the writers who pointed out how very unfair this type of discrimination is.

I am a mother of a son and daughter who are adopted. Before this adoption could take place the following was required: I was finger printed, background checked, finance checked, three letters of recommendation were written by friends and several sessions held with a social worker.

The adoption process in Washington is very rigorous and thorough, as it should be. It does not discriminate on the basis of marital status, race, religion or sexual identity, nor should it.

When prospective parents are denied the right to adopt they are not the only victims. The number of orphans far exceeds the number of adoptive parents.

An orphan child who never has a “forever home” is often a person with a very bleak future. A “forever home” with a daddy, a mommy, two dads, two moms or a mom and a dad can transform a life. Orphanages and foster care often fail to help children thrive.

People who truly care about the welfare of orphans do not try to invent ways to block adoption.

Our state has many adoptable children in foster care. In the world there are over a million orphans.

Help these children find a “forever home” and a family to love them. Encourage more adoptions.

Help make this world a better place.

Eleanor Mann, Bothell