Bay of Plenty Times 16 July 2012
A homosexual couple considering adoption say sexuality should not be a consideration when choosing a good home for a child. Kevin and Ben Haraki-Beckett, from Te Puke, say the decision on who should be allowed to adopt should be based purely on those concerned and the environment they could provide. “Any child that is within the system that needs a good loving family and stable foundation should get that family. Kevin and I could provide that family,” said Ben, a 26-year-old who works in invoice processing. “I have always wanted a big family. Growing up I always told my mother I would give her three granddaughters and I still want that,” he said. The couple were reacting to a recent poll which stated adoption by homosexual couples is now accepted by most New Zealanders. According to the Roy Morgan Research State of the Nation Report, a countrywide survey of 11,500 people, the number who believe homosexual couples should be allowed to adopt has risen from 38 per cent to 56 per cent in the past eight years. The report’s authors said the survey showed New Zealanders have become more open-minded in their attitudes to some key moral and social issues and are now more accepting of homosexuals than ever before.
http://m.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/news/a-new-survey-shows-more-people-believe-homosexual-/1454396/
Providing a good home takes priority
Bay of Plenty Times July 16 2012
A generation ago the prospect of allowing a homosexual male couple to adopt a child would have been met with anger and derision. The Aids epidemic of the 1980s only made more life difficult for those brave enough to declare their sexuality to a wary public. How times have changed. In 1989 Denmark legally recognised same-sex unions and in 2001, the Netherlands became the first country to legalise same-sex marriage. New Zealand hasn’t quite got to the place where same-sex marriage is legal but it is being talked about. Along with Labour MP Louisa Wall, Green Party list MP Kevin Hague has submitted a private member’s bill to legalise same-sex marriage. Questioned on the issue, Prime Minister John Key says he would support a bill to legalise same-sex marriage at its initial stage, but would not guarantee his support would continue through to the final reading that would see it become law. But is adding adoption to the same-sex marriage debate going a step too far?
http://m.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/news/editorial-good-home-same-sex-adoption/1454401/
