Missouri Legislation Decriminalizes Homosexual Activity - Attorney General Says Lesbian Foster Care Controversy is Now Moot

Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon said Wednesday that the state no longer can challenge a Kansas City lesbian’s efforts to become a foster parent.  That pronouncement follows the pen stroke earlier this week of Gov. Matt Blunt, who signed into law H.B. 1698, which enacts tough new penalties on sexual predators. The measure also repeals a longstanding Missouri law that essentially criminalized homosexuality. The state Department of Social Services had cited the law as the primary reason for denying a foster-parent license to Lisa Johnston, who wanted to raise a child with her partner, Dawn Roginski.  Johnston applied for a foster-parent license three years ago and sued after it was denied on the basis that she lacked “reputable character” because she was a lesbian. The case was the first of its kind in Missouri. “The governor’s signature took away the last argument of the state in this case,” said Scott Holste, a spokesman for Nixon.

To read more, see the Kansas City Star Article by Tim Hoover (last visited June 8, 2006 bgf)