Barack Obama assured the LGBT community that he supported their right to adopt, in a statement he sent to the LGBT organization the Family Equality Council.

Jennifer Crisler, executive director of Family Equality Council, had asked both candidates to outline their plan to “recognize, respect, protect and celebrate all of the loving families [they] seek to represent” after John McCain had declared in an interview that he was not in favor of LGBT adoption. The McCain camp has not issued a response to her request.

Obama said, “But we also have to do more to support and strengthen LGBT families. Because equality in relationship, family, and adoption rights is not some abstract principle; it’s about whether millions of LGBT Americans can finally live lives marked by dignity and freedom. That’s why we have to repeal laws like the Defense of Marriage Act. That’s why we have to eliminate discrimination against LGBT families. And that’s why we have to extend equal treatment in our family and adoption laws.”

His letter ended, “I’ll be a president that stands up for American families – all of them.” (The full letter is here.)

Chrisler said that the organization was pleased with this response from Obama, and noted that over 75 percent of American households differ from the paradigm of a married, heterosexual couple raising their biological children.

“Regardless of their sexual orientations and gender identities, regardless of how many parents or caregivers are present in a family, all parents begin each day with their children at the forefront of their thoughts. On behalf of diverse families, it is critical to know how the platforms of our candidates will address LGBT and other diverse family needs,” Chrisler said.

Barack Obama assured the LGBT community that he supported their right to adopt, in a statement he sent to the LGBT organization the Family Equality Council.

Jennifer Crisler, executive director of Family Equality Council, had asked both candidates to outline their plan to “recognize, respect, protect and celebrate all of the loving families [they] seek to represent” after John McCain had declared in an interview that he was not in favor of LGBT adoption. The McCain camp has not issued a response to her request.

Obama said, “But we also have to do more to support and strengthen LGBT families. Because equality in relationship, family, and adoption rights is not some abstract principle; it’s about whether millions of LGBT Americans can finally live lives marked by dignity and freedom. That’s why we have to repeal laws like the Defense of Marriage Act. That’s why we have to eliminate discrimination against LGBT families. And that’s why we have to extend equal treatment in our family and adoption laws.”

His letter ended, “I’ll be a president that stands up for American families – all of them.” (The full letter is here.)

Chrisler said that the organization was pleased with this response from Obama, and noted that over 75 percent of American households differ from the paradigm of a married, heterosexual couple raising their biological children.

“Regardless of their sexual orientations and gender identities, regardless of how many parents or caregivers are present in a family, all parents begin each day with their children at the forefront of their thoughts. On behalf of diverse families, it is critical to know how the platforms of our candidates will address LGBT and other diverse family needs,” Chrisler said.