Culver will protect foster, adoption system

Republican candidates for governor, Rod Roberts and Bob Vander Plaats, said recently they supported banning same-sex couples from becoming foster and adoptive parents in Iowa. Terry Branstad said “Adoption should be in the best interests of the child. I think generally that means that you'd want to have it with a man and woman.”

Gay and lesbian foster and adoptive parents (and single foster and adoptive parents, Mr. Branstad) are vital to our child welfare system. How dare they?

Working with foster and adoptive parents in Iowa for more than five years, I have met many gay and lesbian foster and adoptive parents who have stepped to parent children who had been abused and neglected, often by their heterosexual parents. They provide the children with a safe and stable home and unconditional love.

Research tells us that children who are raised in gay or lesbian households are no more likely to have psychological problems, issues with their self-esteem, or problems with friends than their peers raised in heterosexual households. Research also tells us that the sexual orientation of the parents has no effect on the sexual orientation of the child.

I urge Iowans to vote for someone who will protect the most vulnerable members of our society: Gov. Chet Culver.

Erica Zito

Cedar Rapids