For months, statewide and national LGBT organizations have lobbied Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) to add her voice in support of the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, and outlaw discrimination against gay and lesbian parents from adopting and fostering children.

At SAVE Dade's 2011 Champions of Equality Awards Reception, Martin Gill -- the plaintiff in the ACLU of Florida's case that successfully overturned Florida's 33-year ban on gay and lesbian parents from adopting -- delivered to Rep. Ros-Lehtinen a personal letter about his struggle to adopt his two sons.

Martin's personal appeal worked.

Within days of receiving Martin's letter, Rep. Ros-Lehtinen announced she will be the first Republican Member of Congress to co-sponsor the Every Child Deserves a Family Act.  The Congresswoman spoke directly to Martin's personal message as the tipping-point that influenced her decision:

There are many needy children in foster care who want a permanent and safe home environment. Right now, many individuals would like to provide a home for these children, but they are denied the opportunity due to laws relating to sexual orientation. A constituent of my Congressional district, Martin Gill, has given a public face to this dilemma and has fought these laws so that he and his partner can provide an orderly and warm home to their two adopted sons. I thank SAVE Dade for its leadership on this issue of non-discrimination.

Be a voice for equality by joining Martin Gill and SAVE Dade as we send our own personal appeals to our Members of Congress.  Use the form below to personalize your message and tell your Member of Congress to join Rep. Ros-Lehtinen as a co-sponsor of the Every Child Deserves a Family Act.

Dear [Representative],: * I am writing you today because every child in the United States deserves a loving, nurturing family. Please join your colleagues and co-sponsor the Every Child Deserves a Family Act (H.R. 3827), which will outlaw discrimination against same-sex couples from being foster and adoptive parents. In a recent statement, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen explained why she joined as the first Republican Member to co-sponsor the Act. “It's way past time to allow the thousands of children in foster care the opportunity to live in safe and nurturing families who are eager to adopt them," said Ros-Lehtinen in a statement. "There are strict guidelines to ensure that the placement of these children will be regulated and that the parents will provide the protective guidance and structure that the children need.” “My home state of Florida had discriminatory laws in place that were preventing caring parents from adoption," she continued. "This Federal bill is a step in the right direction so that the proper match between responsible parent and needy child can take place regardless of the parent's sexual orientation.” The Every Child Deserves a Family Act would “ban discrimination in adoption or foster care placement based on the sexual orientation, marital status or gender identity of the potential parent, or the sexual orientation or gender identity of the child.” According to the Family Equality Council, there are more than 424,000 kids in foster care in the United States, with 115,000 eligible for adoption. This is a non-partisan issue that requires your action so we can find ways to provide these children with loving and stable homes. We can do that by eliminating legal and political barriers that bar qualified parents from adopting who also happen to be gay or lesbian. Please be a voice for equality and join Rep. Ros-Lehtinen as a co-sponsor of the Every Child Deserves a Family Act today. Respectfully,

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