Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Response to Sexual Orientations Regulations - Catholic Adoption Agencies Opt Out
Yesterday's announcement by Tony Blair that Catholic Adoption agencies wouldn't be exempt from the forthcoming Sexual Orientations Regulations are welcomed by GLITA.
We are concerned that the 21 month allowance for them to 'prepare for change' is too long. There shouldn't be a need for Catholic Adoption agencies to pass on knowledge and skills beyond a more reasonable 9-12 month period.
There is also the comment from Cardinal O'Connor this morning, that states he hopes that the agencies will be able to 'continue their work' beyond the 21 month allowance of redirecting prospective gay adoptive parents to other agencies, meaning that their agencies would have to fall within the law anyway.
Regardless of the allowance, this is a welcome step for the introductions of the regulations as they stand at the moment, without the possibility of any exceptions to the law, especially from religious groups, who have voiced their opinions quite forcefully in recent weeks.
The Sexual Orientations Regulations are in fact the third part of the The Equality Act 2006, which has already been approved for two thirds of the act, making it illegal for schools, businesses and other agencies refusing services on the basis of age, disability, gender, race or religion.
Therefore these regulations are to bring equality to gay, lesbian and bisexuals similar to those already passed for religious groups.
We welcome these regulations and will continue to ensure that MP's vote for the regulations unchanged next month.
GLITA
We are concerned that the 21 month allowance for them to 'prepare for change' is too long. There shouldn't be a need for Catholic Adoption agencies to pass on knowledge and skills beyond a more reasonable 9-12 month period.
There is also the comment from Cardinal O'Connor this morning, that states he hopes that the agencies will be able to 'continue their work' beyond the 21 month allowance of redirecting prospective gay adoptive parents to other agencies, meaning that their agencies would have to fall within the law anyway.
Regardless of the allowance, this is a welcome step for the introductions of the regulations as they stand at the moment, without the possibility of any exceptions to the law, especially from religious groups, who have voiced their opinions quite forcefully in recent weeks.
The Sexual Orientations Regulations are in fact the third part of the The Equality Act 2006, which has already been approved for two thirds of the act, making it illegal for schools, businesses and other agencies refusing services on the basis of age, disability, gender, race or religion.
Therefore these regulations are to bring equality to gay, lesbian and bisexuals similar to those already passed for religious groups.
We welcome these regulations and will continue to ensure that MP's vote for the regulations unchanged next month.
GLITA
Labels: Gay Actions
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