``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 fundraising event for the Human Rights Campaign, a Washington-based advocacy group for gays and lesbians.
Bringing up the 1998 killing of Matthew Shepard, a gay student from Wyoming, Reno said that legislation to give homosexuals the same protection as minorities against hate crimes must be passed.
She praised the HRC 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 Family and Children Services.
``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 they are insured or can't afford medical attention. She specifically pointed to the need for continuing efforts to treat and possibly end HIV and AIDS.
Polls show Reno leading Tampa Bay attorney Bill McBride in the Florida primary. Other primary hopefuls include House Minority Leader Lois Frankel of West Palm beach and state Sen. Daryl Jones of Miami.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/5/195069