A Christmas Story

MPR tells the story of a teenage boy, Roger, who has spent most of his life in foster homes and group homes.

He really wanted a family.

"It's just something I would really like," he said. "Somebody or someone to call mom or dad, and be able to go to them when I need help."

And he wanted a permanent home. He was tired of bouncing from place to place.

Roger said he wasn't particular about what kind of people the new family would be --- married or single, gay or straight.

"I'm really open," he said.

And it's a good thing he was. Roger was adopted by Jen Braun and her partner Joanie more than a year ago. According to the story, one in seven kids who age out of the adoption/foster home system face homelessness. But Roger is headed for college.

Roger says when he went there two years ago with Jen, the family gave him a scarf and a Jenga game.

"It was fun," he said. "I really liked it. And afterwards I asked, 'Could I come back next year for Christmas?' and I guess I am going to."

That was 18 months ago. Last Christmas, Roger gave Joanie a mug with a hen on it and the word "Mother." He got games and candy and a planetarium.

Of course, for people at the Minnesota Majority, Minnesota Family Council and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Jen and Joanie and Roger are not a family. They are merely playing house and living a "lifestyle."

I wonder, do Minnesota Majority, MFC, and the Archdiocese have strength enough in their convictions to tell Roger that?