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These are excerpts from responses to Thursday's question. Contributors may submit one response every 30 days. You can read additional comments at www.dailystar.com/opinion.

Arizona law should be changed to permit second-parent adoption. Why punish people who are trying to do the right thing and protect children from being orphaned by the death of a biological parent when that parent's partner wants to take responsibility through adopting the child? The law as it stands risks leaving children as wards of the state.

Changing the law would increase security for the child and provide the same protection that children adopted by heterosexual couples already enjoy.

Carole S. Campbell, Ph.D.

Early childhood specialist, Green Valley

Arizona absolutely should change the laws. Children are the ones being hurt if their one legal parent dies or is incapacitated. If we're serious about putting children and families first, we will stop discriminatory practices that drive families apart.

Kelly Frieders

Stay-at-home mom, Sahuarita

The Soterwoods provide an exemplary example of a couple who are firmly dedicated to making the sacrifices necessary to provide a stable and secure environment for their son. How can we claim to want to encourage a stable environment for children while actively putting roadblocks in the way of their safety and security? When opponents to second-parent adoption talk about preserving families, I'd like for them to explain to children why they won't allow both their parents all the legal rights necessary to ensure a safe and secure childhood.

Jim Burroway