The majority of Brazil's gay boys and girls won't be adopting any time soon:

Brazil's lower house of Congress has rejected part of a pending adoption law that would have allowed gay couples to adopt children.

A Wednesday statement from the Chamber of Deputies says a measure giving gay couples the right to adopt was withdrawn because federal law doesn't recognize same-sex civil unions.

A proposal granting same-sex couples the same rights as married heterosexuals has stalled in Brazil's Congress for more than 10 years, prompting some states to take their own actions.

Southern Rio Grande do Sul state has permitted same-sex civil unions since 2004, and a Sao Paulo state court allowed a gay couple to adopt a 5-year-old girl in late 2006.

Brazil's Senate will now attempt to hash out the matter.