A gay couple in Bakersfield is preparing to finalize their adoption of tw children from the foster system this week. But they say they're also preparing for any backlash it may bring from the community. The couple contacted 17 News, because they wanted to share their story and spread the word that there are kids out there in need of good, loving homes, no matter what type of family you might be.
Del Baker and Jason Medlock had their final adoption home inspection Tuesday. The couple have been foster parents to Jayden and Cody for about a year. They say they're already a family, but it's about to become official.
"We are a family. There's no question about it. These boys, they're our boys," Baker said. "Words cannot express the happiness I feel. When Friday comes it will be one of the happiest days of my life. The day we got them that was the happiest day, the days we went in and signed those final adoption papers those were happy, but this brings closure to it," said Medlock. On Friday they'll go to a ceremony finalizing the adoption process.
Medlock says as daunting as parenting is, there's another concern on his mind. "I am concerned about backlash from the community."
"We don't believe that in any part of God's word it establishes a precedent for same gender marriage or for the family unit being constructed that way. That's in all due respect to human beings to those folks, to their love," said Pastor Frank Ward with Columbus Street Baptist Church.
Ward has a niece who is a lesbian. He says he loves her, and while they both know each other's beliefs, that doesn't change his. "We could not condone anything, any behavior activity or choice that's outside what we believe God designed for our best."
"I think they need to look deep in their hearts and see what's better for these kids. I would rather see these boys in a nice environment where they're going to be cared for, well taken care of, than in an abusive home," said Medlock.
Medlock and Baker say they originally thought the adoption process would be more difficult for them, but they haven't faced much adversity. When and if some does come along, they say they're prepared to deal with it, as a family.
California and nine other states, along with Washington D.C., have laws that specifically allow same sex couples to jointly adopt children.
