Press releases
Adoption charity hits back against negative portrayal of same sex adoption
Issued: 7 May 2009
A national campaign is being launched (11th May) that hits back against the recent negative media portrayal of same sex adoption.
The British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) are launching the Pink Guide to Adoption, the first ever guide for lesbians and gay men who are considering adoption. They are also holding a conference Sharing evidence, overcoming resistance – celebrating the role of gay and lesbian carers, which is aimed at giving professionals and prospective lesbian and gay carers a chance to share good practice in this area.
Since the change in law in 2005 (England and Wales) which allowed unmarried couples to adopt jointly, there has been a slow increase in the number of same sex couples applying to adopt. In 2007/08 there were 80 same sex adoptions5, yet recent research revealed that 40% of the general population still thinks male gay couples should not be allowed to adopt, and 36% think female gay couples should not be allowed to adopt6.
David Holmes, Chief Executive of BAAF said:
“We recognise that there is still a lot of prejudice against adoption by lesbians and gay men, which sadly has been reinforced by some sections of the media. Lesbians and gay carers thinking of applying to adopt may worry about the extent of prejudice within adoption agencies themselves. Such fears were once well-founded, but times are changing. Some excellent agencies have broken through the discrimination barrier, finding positive ways of working with lesbians and gay men and recognising them as a valuable resource for children needing family placement. BAAF encourages lesbians and gay men to consider adoption as an option, and expects all agencies to think about what is best for individual children in terms of placement with prospective carers. The sexual orientation of a carer should not matter in 2009.”
The campaign has won the support of other charities. Stonewall’s Director of Public Affairs, Derek Munn said:
“When it comes to adoption and fostering, the needs of the child are absolutely paramount. Trained social workers make informed decisions about which family can offer the most suitable, loving and supportive home. Same-sex couples should be considered on an equal footing with other couples when these decisions are made.”
ENDS
Notes for editors
- For more information please call BAAF press office on 020 7421 2632/3 or email esther.freeman@baaf.org.uk. For out of hours enquiries, call the press office mobile on 07767 444 589.
- Sharing resistance, overcoming resistance – celebrating the role of gay and lesbian carers takes place at on 11th May, ORT House Conference Centre, 126 Albert Street, London NW1 7NE. For a media pass, please contact the BAAF press office.
- The Pink Guide to Adoption is also launched on 11th May. For a review copy please contact the BAAF press office.
- Gay and lesbian case studies are available for interview upon request
- Figures relate to England only in the year ending March 31st 2008 (Department of Children Families and Schools).
- Research conducted by ICM of a random sample of 1007 members of the general public. The research was commissioned by Action for Children as part of National Adoption Week 2008.
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