MiddletownJournal.com

HAMILTON — Grace calls Michael "Daddy," and calls his partner Andrew "Dada."

And as the 2-year-old pedaled around Michael's feet on her red tricycle, Michael said he was "incensed" by a new Butler County Children Services policy that he takes to mean he'll only be used as a last resort foster or adoptive parent because he's gay.

The agency quietly created the policy Dec. 8 after Andrew — who asked to not use their last names over safety concerns involving the biological family — adopted Grace after caring for her as a foster father since birth.

The agency's policy gives traditional married couples preference over single parents or same-sex couples in fostering and adopting children.

Children Services Director Michael Fox said the policy — possibly the only one of its kind in the state — is not meant to discriminate, and the agency didn't oppose Grace's adoption.

"The right thing to do was to let the child continue to live with them," he said.

But he defended the policy.

"Data-wise, and there's tons of it, kids do better in families when there is a traditional married couple," he said.

The new policy doesn't mean the agency won't use single parents or same-sex couples, Fox said. In fact, he said, the agency usually gives preference to unmarried Butler County foster parents over out-of-county residents, and gives preference to whoever has been taking care of a child in adoption proceedings.

"Without exception, the best interest of the child trumps," Fox said.

But Michael said he takes it personally, and says it is discrimination. "We will not be contacted until every other avenue has been exhausted," he said.

Michael said he and his partner became foster and adoptive parents two years ago and have had one foster child in addition to their adopted daughter. But despite complaining about children needing foster parents, the agency hasn't placed a child there since September 2007, he said.

"We see the ads in the newspaper, we've seen the ads on TV ... we have called. We've made tons and tons of phone calls asking (about foster placement)," Michael said. "They always say, 'Yes, we will keep you in mind.' "