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Homophobic Views could be detrimental to children

A husband and wife who voiced their concerns about a male same-sex couple adopting children they were fostering have been told that their views are “concerning” and that such views could be “detrimental to the long-term needs of the children” by Social Services.

The couple had written to their local authority to appeal against the decision made for the children to be placed with the same sex couple and explained they found the decision “very challenging” and applied to adopt the children themselves to allow for the children’s “emotional wellbeing”.

The unnamed Christian couple said they had “not expressed homophobic views, unless Christian beliefs are by definition, homophobic”. The husband of the couple stated that should one of the children end up being gay he would ‘accept it’ albeit it would be ‘hard to accept’.

The council have made no further comments in relation to their decision albeit, they have said a great deal simply by reaching this decision. And what a positive, (and relieving) decision it is.

Social services have a duty to safeguard children and I commend them in working whilst acknowledging that there is a real chance that any child can be gay (…or LBT or I) and that any homophobic, (and of course, biphobic or transphobic attitude), even if justified via religion, poses a risk to any child and that the detrimental effect that could potentially be inflicted on a child growing up in household that voices a homophobic attitude would be far more detrimental than growing up in a household that simply has two men as parents.

I celebrate the fact that these children are going to be raised in a home where they can come out as LGBTI with ease should they need to.

I for one welcome comments from the South Midlands local authority to bolster and confirm the above: this is a positive step forward, for all children looking to for placement.


Blog by Lui Asquith, Specialist LGBTQ Family Solicitor

 

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