Illinois Lawmaker: Discriminating Against Gay And Lesbian Parents Is ‘Common Sense’

When Illinois legalized civil unions in June, the state insisted that government-funded programs “must allow same-sex couples into their foster and adoptive programs, or lose their state contracts” and any additional state funding. Catholic Charities, decided not to recognize gays and lesbians as parents and refused to comply with the expanded non-discrimination law. As a result, they forfeited more than $30.6 million in contracts, after unsuccessfully suing the state to restore the money.

Now, state lawmakers are “again trying to carve out exceptions to Illinois’ new civil unions statute, saying they shouldn’t be forced to choose between their values and the law.” Rep. Dwight Kay (R) has filed legislation “that would allow religion based or affiliated adoption agencies with state contracts to decline an adoption or foster family home application, as well as licensure and placement, to anyone in a civil union.” Discriminating against gay couples is, “common sense,” he says:

Kay said his legislation is “just another common sense bill.” “Religious based childcare done by Catholic and Lutheran organizations has been an integral part of the state of Illinois,” Kay said. “It has done a better job of handling child care services and it’s done much cheaper.”

Kay’s bill failed last year and his latest measure marks the fifth time legislation “has been filed in the state general assembly in an attempt to water down the state’s civil union law over the past year.” (HT: Care2)