Jon&michaelgalluccio
Civil rights activists & joint-adoption parents
For Jon and Michael Galluccio, one of the most difficult aspects of accepting their homosexuality was abandoning their dreams of fatherhood and a family ... or so they thought. Jon and Michael always knew that they wanted more from life than the stereotypical “gay lifestyle,” so they began their life together with little support and no role models. Throughout their relationship, however, they had gained the tools necessary to take on their biggest challenge to date, the adoption of Adam, their first child. Together for over eighteen years, they have proven that you can be gay and have the American dream including a family, despite the enormous obstacles of homophobia and discrimination.
Adam joined the Galluccio family as an infant around Christmas of 1996. He was born in critical condition, addicted to crack and exposed to numerous diseases, including HIV. He was painstakingly nursed back to health and is now a thriving toddler. In the process, raising Adam has led Jon and Michael to work with other drug-addicted and HIV-infected children.
It was during their petition for adoption that the Galluccios were notified they would not be able to proceed as a couple. They refused to settle for the “second class” status often assigned to members of the gay community. They filed a class action lawsuit against the State of New Jersey, in which they demanded a change in the policy barring their joint adoption efforts. The victories of their joint adoption and the historic state settlement of the lawsuit, which attracted world-wide praise and controversy, established a crucial precedent for other gay couples. No longer does sexual orientation or marital status matter in New Jersey adoptions. As a direct result of the Galluccio’s battle with the system, New Jersey became the first state in the nation to allow joint adoption by gay and unmarried couples.
Jon and Michael's story about the meaning of commitment and “family” is an inspiring testimony to the power of love. Jon and Michael are actively increasing public awareness, speaking to groups throughout the country. The Galluccio family continues to grow as well. Jon and Michael have adopted a second child Madison, and have adopted her half-sister Rosa, who lived in a group foster home throughout her teens. At the lecture podium, they explore the full extent of the American dream and the barriers established to prevent gays and lesbians from fulfilling that dream. In addition, they discuss homophobia in the workplace, drawing on personal experience.
" It is the story of two Davids taking on the twin Goliaths of the State of New Jersey and the Religious Right; of a Ruth accepting her mother-in-law Naomi's family identity; of the constellation of different people from various lineages living together in the same household which may be anathema to the rugged individualism of American culture, but is the norm of biblical standards .