British Adoption Agencies To Accept Gay Applicants

As of January 1, it is no longer legal for agencies to discriminate against gay and lesbian couples from adopting children in England, Wales and Scotland, reports UK-based the BBC.

When England’s Equality Act became law in April 2007 it outlawed discrimination against gay people, but 11 religious adoption agencies were given a 21-month exemption from the law. Beginning in 2009, it is no longer permissible for those agencies to reject gay applicants.

Religious, mostly Roman Catholic, adoption agencies decried the law, saying it went against their beliefs. One agency said it would close up shop. But five of the 11 agencies will now abide by the rule.

Robert Pigott, the BBC’s religious affairs correspondent, said the Catholic Church believed the rights of gay people were being placed above the rights of Christians.

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