Warren Richey | Washington | January 11

CSM - Less than two years after handing down an important decision expanding the rights of gays and lesbians and helping to kindle a national debate over gay marriage, the US Supreme Court has declined to take up a case challenging the State of Florida's ban on adoption by homosexuals.

Ultimately at issue was whether the courts were willing to extend the same kind of constitutional protections to foster parents who are homosexuals as exist for other parents and their children.

Florida is the only state banning gay adoption, but lawmakers in several others are debating similar measures. Twenty-two states explicitly permit gays and lesbians to adopt.