From: "Corri Planck" <corri.planck@familypride.org
To: "Corri Planck" <corri.planck@familypride.org
Subject: News From The Family Pride Coalition re: AAFP resolutions
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2002 16:03:46 -0400

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS PASSES RESOLUTION CALLING FOR LEGAL
PROTECTIONS FOR CHILDREN OF GAY AND LESBIAN PARENTS



Dear Families,



As we informed you last week, the American Academy of Family Physicians
(AAFP) was to vote on a resolution regarding second-parent and joint
adoption by lesbians and gay men. Earlier this week, at its annual
Scientific Assembly in San Diego, Calif., AAFP delegates did affirmatively
call for the Academy to "establish policy and be supportive of legislation
which promotes a safe and nurturing environment, including psychological
and legal security, for all children, including those of adoptive parents,
regardless of the parents' sexual orientation."

The AAFP represents more than 93,500 physicians and medical students
nationwide.

In a news release issued by the AAFP, Warren A. Jones, M.D. and president
of the AAFP said, "As family physicians who care for all ages, we believe
the health of America's children is of the utmost importance. Children
deserve to be raised and protected in a safe and nurturing environment.
This policy advocates for the family in all its complexities and
particularly for children."

We couldn't agree more. In fact, by supporting the psychological and legal
security of all children, the AAFP's new adoption policy reaffirms its
definition of family, which reads: "The family is a group of individuals
with a continuing legal, genetic, and/or emotional relationship. Society
relies on the family group to provide for the economic and protective
needs of individuals, especially the children and the elderly."

We applaud the delegates of the American Academy of Family Physicians for
reviewing the research and supporting legal rights for lesbian and gay
parents. They join other respected medical organizations, including the
American Academy of Pediatrics, in affirming that the best interests of
all children are served when they are provided with a loving and stable
home and legally recognized parents.  An ever-increasing number of
professional organizations have come to the same conclusion, including the
American Psychological Association, the Child Welfare League of America,
the North American Council on Adoptable Children, the American Psychiatric
Association and the American Psychoanalytic Association.

We know that over the last few days, Family Pride members and our
supporters have made their voices heard by their state AAFP delegates, as
well as by the national office. We thank you for taking time out of your
busy schedules to ensure that those most impacted by these issues had a
voice in this process.


This is one of the great things that can happen when we can work in
partnership. We're proud to be your national family organization, and
we're proud of the role our families had in the outcome of this important vote.


Sincerely,

Aimee Gelnaw

Executive Director

AAFP Advocates for Children in Adoption Policy

Founded in 1947, the American Academy of Family Physicians represents more than 93,500 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical specialty society devoted solely to primary care. To find out more about the AAFP, visit our Web site at www.aafp.org.