Florida allows third gay adoption

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MIAMI, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- A Florida judge allowed a lesbian to adopt a child while an appeals court decides whether the state's ban on gay adoptions is unconstitutional, records show.

The decision by Miami-Dade Court Circuit Judge Maria Sampedro-Iglesia is the third finalized adoption by a gay parent or couple in Florida, the Miami Herald reports.

The Herald obtained a copy of Sampedro-Iglesia's order which says "there is no rational connection between sexual orientation and what is or is not in the best interest of a child."

The ruling came in the case of Vanessa Alenier who took custody of an infant relative who had been taken by child welfare workers.

Alenier refused to lie about her sexual orientation on the state adoption form and ran head first into Florida's 33-year-old law banning gay adoptions.

The Florida Department of Children & Families says it is currently deciding whether to appeal the judge's decision.