Florida upholds lesbian adoption

by Hannah Clay Wareham

Bay Windows

Tuesday November 9, 2010

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A Florida appeals court upheld the adoption of a toddler by a Hollywood lesbian on Wednesday, Oct. 27.

Vanessa Alenier's adoption of a relative taken into foster care was approved in January by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Maria Sampedro-Iglesia, and then promptly appealed by the Florida Department of Children and Families.

The Third District Court of Appeals last week affirmed the adoption in a decision that was barely more than a page long, according to the . The decision cited the case in which Florida's ban on adoption by gays and lesbians was tossed.

DCF spokesman Joe Follick said that they would likely not appeal the Court of Appeals' decision.

Alan Mishael, Alenier's lawyer, praised last month's decision striking down the ban.

"It's a new day in Florida," he told the Herald.

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