I'm cool with gay couples adopting. In both the cases of gay and straight couples, I would prefer them to actually be married. Certainly not a guarantee of stability (the divorce rate shows that), but it does show a level of committment.

I don't think singles should...it's a big hardship to raise a child on one's own. Yes, it can be done...and often successfully. But this typically isn't a situation where you would willingly go into of your own volition. It's just not optimal. And you want to be a child into the most optimal situation possible. 

For the sake of the child, it's much better to have a two parent family unit.

For the sake of the child, it's much better to have a two parent family unit.

With this I heartily agree.  That said I think, as you stated, that there are a great many single parents who are exceptional parents.  And I think if someone is ready for the responsibility of parenting (and its a HUGE responsibility) then I have no problem with them doing it, whether they are single or in a committed relationship.  One parent who cares and loves a kid is better than none.

Edited for clarity, again.

Don't worry...I took that as a clever comment Al!

As for single people being able to adopt "if they can pass the same requirements for supporting and nurturing a child as a couple can"...well, peronally, I don't think they can. In fact, I think there's something lacking in the judgement of someone that goes into that type of situation willingly (as opposed to someone who has this circumstance thrust upon them and copes as best they can). 

There's a reason that so much trouble in the inner cities (and hey, let's be fair - the suburbs too!) are linked to the dearth of two parent households (or, to be blunt - absent and deadbeat dads).

I truly believe that an individual can be just as capable of meeting the
responsibility for a child as a couple. I think that the notion that they
can't is an antiquated prejudice. (That's not a personal shot, it's just how
I feel.)

Well, here we go again...a different point of view means the other person is prejudiced (and nice try using the old Rodney Dangerfield "no offense" qualifier at the end there).

Whatever. It's not prejudice, it's common sense. Again, statistics show that two parent households are better for the child. I'm sure most single parents who are being honest, would admit that if they had a loving husband/wife/partner to assist in the parenting, it would be much better for their child.

That's just my point of view. Wait, I mean, just my antiquated, prejudiced point of view.

Ooh, here's my chance to step in, right during discussion about prejudice!  :-P

I agree with Joel here, save perhaps for one point.  I'm not sure how I feel about gay singles or couples adopting.  Gay marriage makes all the sense in the world to me, allowing two people in love to legally make it official.  But when it comes to children... I don't know.  It's one thing to learn to be tolerant of other sexual preferences, but it's another to be directly influenced day after day with an alternate lifestyle to the accepted norm.  Of course, I don't agree with a promiscuous straight single person being allowed to adopt, which can be a damaging influence in learning how to interact with people.  Singles in general...  again, I don't know.  How many couples who have adopted ended up divorced and a parent ends up single anyway?