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children would be displaced if gay couples were expelled from the foster and adoptive care systems." (Weigel, 2007).

There are plenty of same-sex couples willing to adopt or foster children, and this would provide a simple solution to decreasing the number of children who are in state care facilities and foster homes. When it comes to locating these generous and loving families, Arkansas seems to be one state which has repeatedly taken backward steps. The Arkansas Family Council has been actively pursing a ban on unmarried couples fostering or adopting children. In the state of Arkansas, gay couples cannot be married, nor are they recognized as married if the union took place in another state or country. Ironically, to put such a ban into place, this group of advocates has also had to ban heterosexual single parents. This significantly adds the already present problem of too many children, and not enough eligible adoptive families.

In 2008, it was reported that Arkansas voters would decide in whether to ban unmarried couples from fostering or adopting children. Secretary of State Charlie Daniels certified the measure, saying that the Arkansas Family Council Action Committee had submitted 85,389 valid signatures from registered voters - more than 23-thousand more valid names than required by law. Last month the socially conservative group that spearheaded Arkansas' constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, handed in its petitions prior to the state deadline for getting issues on the November ballot. But the secretary of state validated only 57,888 signatures. Since the number fell within a state "grace" guideline the group was given another 30 days to get the additional signatures.

Arkansas Families First, the group fighting the measure said it is preparing to take the issue to court. Spokesperson Debbie Willhite said the group will ask the Arkansas Supreme Court to enjoin the initiative. The adoption referendum is similar to a bill that died in the Legislature earlier this year. That legislation failed after Gov. Mike Beebe suggested that there were constitutional problems with the bill, although he would not say if he intended to veto it if it were passed. (365gay Newscenter Staff, 2007. p.1)

Update; Arkansas voters have opted to ban the adoption and foster care of children by 'single parents', a devious move to exclude those who are gay. Now what?

Of the escalating number of children needing to be adopted, it should also be noted that many children can only be

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