Bill favoring heterosexual parents unconstitutional say critics

Salt Lake City (AP) — Gay rights advocates say a lawmaker's proposal to require Utah judges to favor heterosexual couples over same-sex couples in adoptions or foster care placements is blatantly unconstitutional.

Republican Rep. Kraig Powell says last year's U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriage doesn't stop Utah from preferring that a child have a mother and father instead of same-sex parents.

Powell says it's important for children to have a male and female role model.

He says the preference in his proposal for heterosexual couples would not apply in private adoptions or if a gay couple are family members or neighbors of the child.

Equality Utah Executive Director Troy Williams says the proposal is unconstitutional and would be fiercely challenged in court.

By Michelle L. Price, Associated Press. Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Gayly – January 29, 2016 @ 4 p.m.