LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (AP):

A proposal aimed at effectively banning gays and lesbians from becoming foster or adoptive parents was cleared yesterday to appear on this fall's ballot in Arkansas.

The measure would prohibit unmarried couples living together from fostering or adopting children. Arkansas does not allow gay people to marry or recognise gay marriages conducted elsewhere.

Valid signatures

Secretary of State Charlie Daniels certified the proposed initiated act for the November 4 ballot after verifying that the Arkansas Family Council Action Committee had submitted 85,389 valid signatures of registered voters. Supporters needed to turn in at least 61,974 valid signatures.

"Arkansas needs to affirm the importance of married mothers and fathers," Family Council President Jerry Cox said. "We need to publicly affirm the gold standard of rearing children whenever we can. The state standard should be as close to that gold standard of married mom and dad homes as possible."

The Family Council campaign is a response to a 2006 Arkansas Supreme Court decision striking down a state policy that specifically banned gays and lesbians from becoming foster parents.