McCain ignores gay adoption in letter to campaigners

By Tony Grew • October 8, 2008 - 13:00

John McCain is running for US President

4 Comments on McCain ignores gay adoption in letter to campaigners

The Republican candidate for President of the United States has declined to say how he would protect families headed by lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans Americans.

The Family Equality Council, an advocacy group for LGBT parents, wrote to Senator McCain and his Democratic nominee Senator Barack Obama in July.

FEC asked both candidates to outline their plan to "recognise, respect, protect and celebrate all of the loving families [they] seek to represent."

Senator Obama responded with a full answer and promised more funding for after-school programmes, the abolition of the federal ban on same-sex marriage, an end to discrimination against LGBT families and "equal treatment in our family and adoption laws" as goals for his administration.

Senator McCain's response has now been received. It appears to be a template and contains no references to LGBT families.

Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director of the Family Equality Council, said:

“Over 75% of American households differ from the paradigm of a married, heterosexual couple raising their biological children.

"We at Family Equality Council were disappointed to receive this response from the McCain campaign, which addresses none of our concerns regarding how a McCain administration would support America’s diverse families.

"Regardless of their sexual orientations and gender identities, regardless of how many parents or caregivers are present in a family, all parents begin each day with their children at the forefront of their thoughts.

"On behalf of diverse families, it is critical to know how the platforms of our candidates will address LGBT and other diverse family needs.”

In July Senator McCain said in an interview with the New York Times that he does not believe gay people should adopt children.

Americans will vote for the next President on November 4th.

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