A Miami-Dade circuit judge Tuesday declared Florida’s 30-year-old ban on gay adoption unconstitutional, allowing a North Miami man to adopt two foster kids he has raised since 2004.

Florida has long been behind the curve on this issue, but with the passage of both Prop 8 and Arkansas’ little bit o’ stupidity, it had seemed that nationally we were regressing rather than progressing. Nice to see a reversal of course, so to speak.

The Herald quotes from the judge’s opinion:

”Based on the evidence presented from experts from all over this country and abroad,” Lederman wrote, “it is clear that sexual orientation is not a predictor of a person’s ability to parent. Sexual orientation no more leads to psychiatric disorders, alcohol and substance abuse, relationship instability, a lower life expectancy or sexual disorders than race, gender, socioeconomic class or any other demographic characteristic.

”The most important factor in ensuring a well-adjusted child is the quality of parenting,” Lederman wrote.

This is basic common sense, aided by a fair examination of objective evidence. Therefore, we can pretty much bank on an appeal from the “family values” crowd. After all, nothing says “We value families” quite like pulling them apart for no other reasons than simple-minded fear and unexamined bigotry.

But in the meantime, the ruling is a breath of fresh air. You go, Florida!