Scottish Tory leader backs gay adoption
Scotland’s Conservative Party leader has echoed the gay friendly attitude of Tory head David Cameron by backing gay adoption.
Annabel Goldie looks set to anger some of her own party members as well as religious groups ahead of a vote on the Scottish Executive’s Adoption and Children (Scotland) Bill by saying allowing gay couples to adopt will make Scottish law a fairer reflection of society.
She said in an interview with the Sunday Herald: “It is necessary that we have adoption law that reflects what is going on in Scotland. The idea that two people in a same-sex relationship cannot provide a loving environment for children is ludicrous.”
Ms Goldie said she would be voting for the legislation which would give gay couples in Scotland adoption rights. Currently only a single gay or lesbian person can adopt.
“I look at society as a cohesive representation of everyone who is in it. I am aware of parents of children who are in a stable gay relationship. It seems to me this bill assists society,” she told the paper.
The Catholic Church in Scotland is opposed to the bill as are some Tory MSPs.
The Bishop of Motherwell, Joseph Devine, is a vocal opponent of the law, he has regularly made statements stressing that traditional heterosexual family units are the best prospect for the emotional and psychological well-being of a child and that the gay adoption bill should be scrapped.
But Ms Goldie said religious groups should support the law, “One of the most well-known Christian sayings is love thy neighbour as thyself’. We need to understand how Scottish society is currently made up.”
Mr Cameron has aimed to shed the Conservative Party’s homophobic image since taking the reigns last year.
But other Scottish politicians have scoffed at Ms Goldie’s remarks, claiming the whole party is yet to adopt the same positive attitude.
