Two Oklahoma families are celebrating and state officials are mulling their options after a federal judge struck down an Oklahoma law on adoptions by gay parents.
Advertisement
At issue was a 2004 law that barred the state from recognizing out-of-state adoptions by same sex parents.
Two families - one in Norman and one in Tahlequah - filed a federal lawsuit in Oklahoma City a few months later challenging the law .
U.S. District Judge Robin Cauthron ruled today the law violated the full faith and credit clause of the Constitution.
Norman resident Heather Finstuen, who is raising twin 7-year-old daughters with her partner of 14 years, said she was thrilled by the ruling.
"This is really good news for our family," she said.
A spokesman for Attorney General Drew Edmondson said state officials were considering what comes next after the decision he termed disappointing.
Sen. James Williamson, who authored the law, said he probably will push for an appeal.
He said the state should be able to have a say in who is raising adopted children in Oklahoma.
