Pro-Gay Miami Judge Demoted

By Neal Broverman

The judge who may be responsible for ending Florida's ban on adoption by same-sex parents has been demoted from her position on the Miami-Dade circuit court.

After serving for 15 years as the top administrative judge over Miami-Dade's juvenile courts, Cindy Lederman has been removed by the new chief justice of Miami's courts. The chief justice, Orlando Prescott, said he wanted new perspectives and leadership, according to the Associated Press.

Lederman ruled in November 2008 that the state's ban on adoption by gay couples -- in existence since the days of Anita Bryant -- is unconstitutional. The case is now on its way to an appeals court, with the state of Florida prepared to defend the ban.

Lederman, who will now serve as a juvenile court judge, says she respects Prescott's decision.

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Name: PJR
Date posted: 7/15/2009 10:02:00 PM
Hometown: Michigan

Comment:
The Advocate's reporting here is attrocious. The Advocate makes it seem like this is some kind of vendetta or agenda against gays, inferring she's being demoted because of her gay adoption ruling. However maybe if The Advocate had mentioned that two judges where demoted, which is exactly the case, then it wouldn't have made such a created anti gay story, which it is not! SHAME on The Advocate for providing only half the story to bias it's readers into thinking something anti gay was at root cause!
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Name: Joseph
Date posted: 7/15/2009 12:20:00 PM
Hometown: Miami

Comment:
Typical Florida. As this is happening, Children and Family services are having issues with case workers not performing their jobs correctly. Filing visits to inspect and insure children's safety, when in reality these case works never visited these children. Children being lost by these incompetent case works and more and more children being returned to the horrific lives they were thought to be rescued from! Judge Lederman is a decent and fair individual who tried to show us what compassion really is, but she was shot down by horrific and cowardly individuals! All this and when you consider "what" our governor is, it's even more unfortunate !
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Name: Roger Burr
Date posted: 7/15/2009 11:11:00 AM
Hometown: Marble Hill, MO

Comment:
Prescott wanted ..'new perspectives and leadership'.. What he MEANT was he wants homophobia re-instated in the courts! I hope they all realize this will mean MORE kids remaining in state care, at taxpayer expense; rather than being placed in secure, loving homes where they will have opportunities for a good life.

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