UK Makes Way for Gay Adoption
Adoption bill faces Lords opposition contributed by
Adoption-net.co.ukDateline: 05/21/02
"Only married couples should adopt" says Tory leaderIain Duncan Smith has denied allegations that the Conservative party objections to gay couples adopting is based on 'homophobia claims'.
The tory leader said in a BBC interview that they would vote to exclude same-sex couples from being allowed to adopt children as they feel that only married couples should be allowed.
Reforms to allow unmarried couples to adopt was put to MPs on May 16. Tories failed to block the Government on this issue and the majority of MPs voted in favour of same-sex couples adopting.
Dateline: 05/17/02
Opponents of adoption by gays and lesbians are set for a Parliamentary battle after MPs backed the right of unmarried couples to adopt a child.
The Commons voted by 288 to 133, a majority of 155, for an amendment to the Adoption and Children Bill which would enable unmarried people to adopt as a couple.
Tony Blair joined MPs in the "yes" lobby in supporting the measure in a free vote. However it is expected that it will face stiff opposition when it goes to the House of Lords.
The Tory MPs were also expected to force a fresh vote in the Commons next week on a further amendment to the Bill specifically excluding same-sex couples.
The amendment was tabled by the Labour chairman of the Health Select Committee, David Hinchliffe.
During an impassioned debate, he insisted that he was not seeking to undermine the institution of marriage and that couples would demonstrate the "stability and permanence" of their relationship.
He was backed by Health Minister Jacqui Smith who said the measures were about increasing the potential pool of adopters - not the right to adopt.
"It is not about political correctness, it is not about gay rights, it is not even about parents - it is about a child's chance of a family," she told MPs.
However, the measure was fiercely criticised by the Tories. Former Social Security Secretary Peter Lilley said children were being used as "pawns" in an attempt at "social engineering".
And Tory health spokesman Tim Loughton attacked supporters of the amendment for trying to promote a politically correct "gay rights agenda".
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