From <a href="http://www.lethimstay.com" target="_blank">www.lethimstay.com</a> :<br><br><br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Steve Lofton, 44, and Roger Croteau, 46, live in Portland, Oregon, with their five foster kids: Frank, 14, Tracy, 14, Bert, 10, Wayne, 8, and Ernie, 5. When they were infants, Frank, Tracy, and Bert were placed with Steve and Roger by Florida's Department of Children and Families. Wayne and Ernie were placed with the family by the state of Oregon three years ago.<br><br><br><br>
Frank, Tracy, and Bert were all placed with Steve and Roger when they were infants. None of them had parents who could care for them, and they languished in hospitalsuntil, one by one, Steve and Roger brought them home, where they've been ever since.<br><br><br><br>
At the state's request, Steve quit his job to be with the children full time and handle their complex medical needs. Frank and Tracy had been placed with Steve and Roger within a month of each other, and a baby girl named Ginger was close behind. A couple of years later, nine-week-old Bert was placed with the family.<br><br><br><br>
The family lived in Miami for several years, taking full advantage of the warm weather and thriving cultural center. While the kids had some developmental delays as a result of their health, they did well in school and developed into happy, well-adjusted children. Three years ago, to be closer to Steve's elderly parents, the family moved to Portland, Oregon, and the kids stayed under the laws and supervision of Florida under a standard relocation agreement.<br><br><br><br>
As they were getting settled into a new home and new schools, the kids' new pediatrician told a state caseworker what good parents Steve and Roger were and how well the kids were doing. The caseworker asked Steve and Roger to take in Wayne and Ernie, two kids with HIV from difficult backgrounds. And so the family grew by two.<br><br><br><br>
The family has seen its share of tough times. Ginger, then 6, died of AIDS complications in 1995. All of the children were old enough to understandand to be devastated.<br><br><br><br>
Steve and Roger are regularly reminded that Florida's law banning gay adoption puts their family in jeopardy. Every few weeks, a letter comes from the state, giving an update on the status of finding another family to adopt Bert. Because he no longer tests positive for HIV and is under the age of 14, Bert is deemed "adoptable." Steve and Roger are legally prohibited from adopting him because of Florida's ban. So the state continues its effort to find him another home, even though this is the only family he's ever knowneven though, like all five of the kids, he's already home.</div>
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LC- if you have serious concerns about a couple's ability to be good parents, that is one thing. But when there are so many unwanted kids out there, I don't think we can afford to be picky. (not that sexual orientation is anything I personally find to be a reason to be picky.)<br><br><br><br>
The website above chronicles this family's legal struggle in Florida, and lets you know how you can help.
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