Press releases

Updated BAAF comment regarding the Equality Act 2006, Sexual Orientation Regulations:

Issued: 26 January 2007

David Holmes, BAAF Chief Executive, says:

"The best interests of children must be paramount. Many children wait too long for an adoptive family. Some never find one.

"BAAF has campaigned to widen the pool of prospective adopters to ensure as many children as possible have the opportunity to be placed in loving families. There are many examples of successful adoptions by single gay and lesbian people and we believe that enabling gay and lesbian couples to adopt jointly has contributed to increasing the number of adoptive families. This is vital at a time when some children still wait too long for permanent and loving families.

"We also recognise the continuing important contribution made by Catholic voluntary adoption agencies to finding families for children. If these agencies were to suddenly close, it is not only the children waiting to be adopted who may lose out. There are many children and adoptive parents across the UK who have been brought together by Catholic adoption agencies. These agencies provide invaluable post-adoption support to families that, where necessary, continues for many years. The children involved often have additional needs and many will have experienced a traumatic start to their lives, so this support is crucial.

"This is why it is so important that the government and these agencies work together to ensure that this ongoing work is protected. The Prime Minister has said that he is trying to make progress and that a decision will be announced next week, followed by a vote in Parliament, and we look forward to the outcome of that."