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(Edinburgh) Members of the Scottish Parliament
have given overwhelming initial approval to legislation that would allow
same-sex couples to adopt children. Members voted 103 - 8 to allow the bill to
advance.
The measure is similar to one passed last year in
England and continues the recognition of same-sex households that began with the
enactment of civil partnerships.
Although it is already legal for gays to adopt,
partners were often left out in the cold, and children born to lesbians through
in vitro fertilization were not recognized as the legal kids of partners.
The new bill recognizes each partner in a
relationship as an equal parent. It also applies to non-married
opposite-sex couples. The legislation is part of the first major overhaul of
adoption law in Scotland in 30 years.
Liberal Democrat MSP told Parliament that as an
openly gay parent she has seen first hand the problems encountered by same-sex
couples with children. If something happens to the birth or adoptive parent the
other partner has no rights and a child can be ripped from the only home it has
known. Partners also cannot speak for the mother when situations arise at
schools.
During debate cabinet minister Peter Peacock
tried to allay the fears of some conservative MSPs.
"No-one has a right to adopt and this Bill gives no-one the right to
adopt," he said, as potential parents will still have to be rigorously
assessed.
"The most important consideration has to be whether a couple is able to
provide a lasting and loving environment in which to raise a particular
child."
The Catholic Church said it would not allow
the bill to receive final passage without a vigorous fight.
Joseph Devine, the Bishop of Motherwell, calls
the legislation "distressing" and a "violation of family
life".
"The result is very worrying, especially for children who will
be caught up in these disturbing adoption processes. But there are another two
stages of the bill yet to go through Parliament, so this file is far from
closed. The Church is not going to stay quiet."
©365Gay.com 2006
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