The ruling was made by U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III late Thursday afternoon. He stated that the ban against Mississippi violates the equal protection clause of the federal Constitution. The ban in Mississippi had been in place since 2000. Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood is representing the state in this case and applauded Jordan’s decision to dismiss Gov. Hood and Phil Bryant were removed from the suit. Hood stated that the District Court had directed the Mississippi Department of Human Services to not discriminate between gay and straight couples when it comes to adoption-related services. We respect the analysis of law by the District Court and will consult with Department of Human Services to determine what options are available going forward.” Roberta Kaplan (an attorney representing the plaintiffs) said that she was not expecting a ruling today but was happy with the outcome. “I’m a happy camper. Our clients are more than happy campers. They are thrilled,” she said to Mississippi Today. Janet Smith and Kathryn Garner are the plaintiffs. Jessica Harbuck, Brittany Rowell (Tinora Sweetens-Lunsford), Kari Lunsford, The Campaign for Southern Equality, and The Family Equality Council are also among them. In fall 2015, two couples sued over Mississippi’s ban on same-sex adoption. They claimed that it was outdated and a remnant of a time when judges and legislatures thought it was okay to discriminate against homosexual people. Kaplan stated that the Mississippi bill, also known as the “Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act”, is an interesting juxtaposition. If it becomes law, it will be subject to the same fate as same-sex adoption ban. “Even though it is a paid job to appear in court, I prefer to not go there.” “I hope people see the light,” she stated._x000D
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