Judge Halts Mississippi Same-Sex Adoption Ban

A federal judge halted Mississippi on Friday from enacting a new law that would prevent same-sex couples from adopting children. U.S. District Judge Daniel Jordan III wrote the temporary injunction order, arguing that the state's law banning adoptions "obviously targets married gay couples and limits their rights." Jordan also said that the Department of Human Services' policy on adoption—which currently allows discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation—is unconstitutional in that it violates the equal protection clause. The order was filed in a lawsuit on behalf of four same-sex couples. "We are obviously thrilled with today's ruling," said Roberta Kaplan, a lead attorney in the case.