On Wednesday, four lesbian couples filed suit in Jackson federal court to strike down a Mississippi law that bans homosexuals from adopting children. The Campaign for Southern Equality, Family Equality Council [advocacy websites] and two female same-sex couples are the plaintiffs in this lawsuit, challenging the ban as unconstitutional for discriminating against legally married couples based on the gender of the spouses.

As the United States Supreme Court legalised gay marriage nationwide in June, legal experts are confident the couple will succeed.

Desare Frazier, reporter for Mississippi Public Broadcasting.

The ban is “an outdated relic” which “writes inequality into Mississippi law”, the couple’s complaint read.

But according to a recent report by the New York Times, the adoption ban did not stop gay couples from raising children. Among that group is Gary Chism, R-Columbus, who proudly touts his conservative credentials. Republican Governor Phil Bryant still supports the ban and remains hopeful that his attorney general, Jim Hood – a Democrat – will “vigorously defend” the state in the lawsuit.

The only logical step is for the state to immediately drop any challenge to the suit and officially change in the law when the Legislature goes into session in January.