Independent Perspective News

ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno said Saturday that laws banning adoption by gays and lesbians are illogical.

"In my state, a gay or lesbian may have the privilege of being a foster parent, a guardian, a pediatrician or a pediatric nurse," Reno said. "But they can't adopt. That makes no sense."

Reno, one of several Democrats in Florida running to unseat Republican Gov. Jeb Bush, was speaking at a fund-raising event for the Human Rights Campaign, a Washington-based advocacy group for gays and lesbians.

Noting the 1998 killing of Matthew Shepard, a gay student from Wyoming, Reno said legislation must be passed to give homosexuals the same protection against hate crimes as racial and ethnic minorities.

She praised the Human Rights Campaign for its efforts to protect Americans from discrimination based on sexual orientation but said there is still more work to be done.

"We have got to do more so that discrimination against people because of their status is ended in this country," she said.

Reno mentioned Rilya Wilson, the 5-year-old Florida girl who disappeared 15 months ago while supposedly in the care of her paternal grandmother and under the supervision of the state Department of Children and Families.

"Wouldn't that little girl have been better off, rather than being lost for 15 months, to be in the care of someone who truly cared?" she asked.

Reno also spoke out in favor of health care for all Americans, whether insured or not. She specifically pointed to the need for continuing efforts to treat and possibly find a cure for HIV and AIDS.

Polls show Reno leading attorney Bill McBride in the race to the September 10 Florida primary. Other Democratic hopefuls include House Minority Leader Lois Frankel and state Sen. Daryl Jones.