Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your
contribution is not tax-deductible.)
PayPal Acct: 
Feedback: 
Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):
| [ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, [7], 8, 9, 10 ] |
Australia's Capital Set To Grant Gay Adoption
by Peter Hacker
365Gay.com Newscenter
Sydney, Australia Bureau
May 10, 2003
8:03 p.m. ET/+5GMT/-3PT
(Canberra) The Australian Capital Territory will soon allow gay and lesbian couples to adopt.
Legislation was introduced Friday to amend the territory's adoption act.
The move makes the ACT only the second jurisdiction in Australia to allow gay couples to adopt. Western Australia is the other.
ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said the removal of discrimination against gay and lesbian people had "long been part of the ACT Australian Labor Party platform".
"Following the extensive consultation on this issue, we will soon move to amend the law to ensure there is no legislative discrimination against same sex couples, transgender intersex people in the ACT.
"These reforms are based on our strong belief that everyone is entitled to respect and dignity and the right to participate in society and receive the full protection of the law regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identification," Stanhope said.
Under the new laws, gay couples will be able to adopt, and the same sex partner of a person who already has a child will legally be able to adopt that child and be recognized as the other parent.
Stanhope said hopes to have the legislation passed later this year.
©365Gay.com Ltd® 2003