Sen. Nan Rich

Over 250 fair-minded demonstrators marched to the Florida Capitol Tuesday to lobby for repeal of the state's legal ban on adoption by gay couples and passage of bills to include sexual orientation in civil-rights laws.

Florida State Sen. Nan Rich, D-Weston, has filed two bills that would permit gay couples to adopt children. Rich said state law already permits such couples to be foster parents and a Miami circuit judge's decision striking down the adoption ban is on appeal.

State Senator Nan Rich (pictured) has introduced a new bill that would allow judges to consider the child's best interest when placing them in permanent homes. Representative Mary Brandenburg is sponsoring the bill in the House.