I strongly urge government officials entrusted to to amend the current legislation to adopt inclusive language to protect prospective parents based on sexual orientation, disability, age, gender, race, color, national origin, political or religious affiliation.  You must proatively end discriminatory practices of private adoption agencies operating in our Commonwealth who would deny children the opportunity to spend their formative years with people who will give them love, boundaries and examples for healthy living.  We cannot allow such discrimination and hatred to infiltrate in our adoption and fostering system. As a gay woman who has successfully raised three young people whose parents were unable or unwilling to "be" parents, I have watched them become useful citizens of whom any parent would be proud.  The oldest girl is now a social worker  with a wonderful boyfriend, my foster-son (a former gang member) is a U.S. marine recently married to a wonderful girl and the youngest a college student and fully employed.  I was 60 when the youngest was placed with me.. what would have happened if I could not have taken her in!

A prospective parent who has an open heart and home and is able to provide a respectful and safe environment should be considered without discrimination related to disability, age, gender, race, color, national origin, political or religious affiliation or sexual orientation.

Private placement agencies acting under discriminatory policies should not be entrusted to place children!  These young people should be our first concern.