Adoption denial angers
Rainbow families are asking for explanations following the NSW Government’s decision to stall on legislation reform that would allow same-sex couples to adopt.
Community Services minister Linda Burney last week announced “at this stage” no changes would be made to adoption legislation.
“Members were unable to reach a consensus, reflecting divisions on this issue in the wider community,” Burney said.
“As a result of these concerns, the Government is not satisfied there is broad enough community support to justify new state legislation at this stage.”
Gay Dads NSW spokesman Anthony Brien said the decision “highlighted the fact the Government is still blinded by some Christian ideal”.
“There are many children in need of adoption into a loving, caring family environment. By refusing to accept same-sex couples as capable parents, they are denying many children the opportunity for adoption,” he told Sydney Star Observer.
“Our Government somehow believes that sexuality and parenting ability are linked. Can it explain to our children why it thinks their parents are not as good as heterosexual parents and are not allowed to adopt another child into their family?”
Rights advocates were equally disappointed by the news. Rainbow Labor co-convenor Jessica Epps labelled the decision “an appallingly gutless response”.
“This do-nothing approach deprives children of access to loving and stable adoptive parents and denies same-sex couples their basic equality,” she said.
NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby co-convenor Kellie McDonald said the decision would not stop the Lobby from continuing its campaign.
“It’s the political climate at the moment which is stopping the Government from pushing it through, which is unfortunate given they want to act in the best interest of the child,” McDonald said.
“We’re incredibly frustrated that they’re refusing to act, but we’ve worked too hard not to let it slip away. We will make sure it stays on the agenda. We don’t know what’s going to happen politically this year but we have met with the Opposition and are talking to them in case we get a shift in government.”
Burney said the “door is not closed and there will be continuing discussions on this”, but could not give a definitive timeframe.
“As Minister for Community Services, I’ve seen many examples of successful parenting and fostering by gay and lesbian couples. Adoption provides permanence, security and stability — all of which are critically important for children’s development,” she said.
“I understand that some people will be unhappy with this decision but let me assure them that the issue will continue to be discussed.”
Let me tell you this. As a person wishing to move to beautiful Australia with the hope of raising a family I just feel discouraged.
So let me get this clear, it is legal for a “dengerous secret peodophile” to adopt a child – but not legal for two law-abiding same sex couples to adopt a child??????
I refuse to vote for anyone at the NSW March 2011 election now!!!!!!
Please don’t think this mindset is just a Labor Party problem, Labor / Liberal please can someone point out the difference?
and yes I imagine Kevin, Kristina and George Pell all sitting around telling each other how important they are. The crusades returns.
Truly the only way anything will change is to change the government. At least we won’t hope for any change with a Liberal government, we won’t be promised anything and be given a kick in the teeth like the Federal and State Labor Governments have done.
And yes to think that both levels of government would support an institution that has time and time again abused children and supported the abusers by protecting them. It is starting to make alot of sense, the only people I know that support child abusers are people who don’t think it is wrong. And that is who has the ear of the Premier of NSW and the Prime Minister of Australia.
And before anyone has a go at me, I too in the past believed the bull Labor has sprouted about supporting our community. Actions always speak louder than words, and it is clear this government is just going to keep this a talkfest with no action to support the loving families wanting the law to change.
And of all people to stand up and justify the NSW STATE LABOR government keeping our rights from us is someone who should know better.
I received the Government’s response to the Legislative Council Committee’s report in the mail this week.
It makes no sense for gay individuals to be able to adopt but gay couples not. The justification in the Minister’s letter is clear but weak:
“The Government notes the existence of strong divisions in the community on this issue. This polarisation of views among community groups and individuals has been reflected within the Committee, which failed to achieve a consensus position on the need for law reform in this area.”
“It is acknowledged that the issue of same-sex adoptions has been considered by a number of expert committees both within NSW and in other Australian jurisdictions. Mostly, these have made recommendations in favour of allowing same-sex couples to adopt. The NSW Government has noted that in NSW currrently a single gay person is legally able to adopt although a gay couple cannot.”
There have been many reforms made in State and Commonwealth Parliaments over the years on which there were strong divisions in the community (e.g. tariff reductions and competition policy). Why is this different?
Gay families can work. There are some around the world that are posting their journals on YouTube ATM, and their channels are popular with the general population. People are fascinated by these guys. Especially this channel on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/depfox
This gay couple who work in the police in the US are raising 2 children and can’t get their marraige recognised legally. They are showing their everyday life on YouTube to win people over, to show that it can work. And it seems it is working, people really do like these guys. Take a look.
Blessings
FLETCHER
The response from Minister for Community Services, Linda Burney, to the “Adoption by same-sex couples” report gives an insight into how paralysed, procrastinative, politically paranoid and devoid of courageous leadership NSW Labor has become.
Ms Burney responded to the Committee noting, inter alia, “that in NSW currently a single gay person is legally able to adopt although a gay couple cannot”.
This is a farcical situation. It would be funny in a “Yes, Minister” sense if it weren’t patently detrimental to the best interests of children with same-sex parents living in NSW.
Naturally, the “God botherers” and religious supremacists are smugly delighted.
You are exactly right Troy – I will drink to that Troy!
There is no surprise here. Labor are bow-towing to the Christian Extremist groups & have been since 2004 at the time of the launch of the extremist Family First party into politics.
Even the KRudd defacto reforms were only granted as endorsed by the evangelical Australian Christian Lobby. (this was ACL’s strategy- support & encourage “invisible” defacto reforms to make us “happy” & block equal rights & visibity of our relationships from society for the future).
So stop being surprised as Labor disappoints us over & over since 2004, apart from when they were “told” by ACL they could give us defacto rights with thier blessing.
A gay vote for Labor is a wasted vote, that they will pocket & take for granted as they chase & run after swinging evangelical christian voters.
Just shows how piss weak the Keneally government has become. Typical Catholic right-wing garbage gets in the way again.
Wow… Way to make me sick Australia!
The Government prefers State and Church child abuse rather then loving families. Clearly both have failed children as we had to have a Sorry Day.
Love makes a family, not vilification. Vote Green as they do not abuse children such as the Labor and Liberal Party do.
If we don’t have the same rights as others why are we paying the same taxes? Doesn’t this just make us gay tax slaves?