Appeals court says lesbian couple can file joint adoption petition

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Ex-NOW leader to fight marriage amendment
LOS ANGELES, March 23 (UPI) -- Former National Organization for Women head Patricia Ireland is now advising groups leading the fight against a constitutional ban on gay marriage. DontAmend.com and the Equality Campaign announced Monday that Ireland, who served longer than any other woman as head of NOW, was joining their effort as a senior advisor. Calling Ireland a "terrific addition" to their efforts, DontAmend.com co-founder John Aravosis called Ireland, "a politically knowledgeable hard-hitter who's going to make a world of difference on this issue."

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Ban against gay foster parents challenged
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., March 23 (UPI) -- An Arkansas judge Tuesday began hearing a lawsuit challenging the state's ban on homosexuals acting as foster parents.
The Child Welfare Review Board was sued in 1999 after it barred gays from acting as foster parents, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. It also banned anyone with a homosexual adult in the household from being a foster parent.
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Gay Marriage Opponents Mount Recall Effort
Christian Coalition Leads Campaign
PORTLAND -- The commissioners who started Oregon's first same-sex marriages are facing a possible recall election.

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Gay Lawmaker Challenges Bush's Marriage Amendment
By Thomas Ferraro
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A gay congressman on Tuesday challenged President Bush's drive for a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage by asking how such unions hurt anyone. "How does the fact that I or someone else wants to express love for another human being in the same way as the overwhelming majority of my heterosexual friends and relatives ... hurt you?" Rep. Barney Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat, asked at a hushed and packed Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.