In view of the debate taking place regarding the right of gay couples to adopt children, AD reiterates its position of equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Angele Deguara, AD representative on the LGBT Consultative Council, said: “While it is healthy for a constructive debate about the rights of minorities to take place and for different stakeholders to participate, AD urges our representatives in parliament not to let stereotypes and prejudice reign over social justice. AD’s position has always been clear. We believe that gay couples should be able to apply for adoption and that their case should be considered by the Adoptions Board in the same way as other cases are considered. This does not mean that adoption is an automatic right. It simply means that gay couples will not be discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation, regardless of whether they are potentially good parents or not.”
AD Chairperson, Professor Arnold Cassola, said: “AD does not agree with the proposal made by the leader of the Opposition Dr Simon Busuttil for an impact assessment to be carried out in relation to gay adoptions. Ironically, parliament has just voted a PN Private Member’s Bill to enshrine in the constitution a prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation.
“The request for this specific social impact assessment would be reaffirming this discrimination. Assessments on the suitability of parents to adopt should continue to be carried out on a case by case basis on any couple or individual asking to adopt.”
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Fil-kuntest tad-dibattitu li għaddej bħalissa dwar id-dritt tal-koppji gay li jaddottaw it-tfal, AD issostni l-pożizzjoni tagħha favur l-ugwaljanza u kontra d-diskriminazzjoni fuq bażi ta’ orjentazzjoni sesswali.
Angele Deguara, ir-rappreżentanta ta’ AD fuq il-Kunsill Konsultattiv dwar l-LGBT, qalet: “Filwaqt li huwa tajjeb li jsir dibattitu kostruttiv dwar id-drittijiet tal-minoranzi u li jieħdu sehem fih il-partijiet interessati kollha, AD tappella lir-rappreżentanti parlamentari biex ma jħallux l-isterjotipi u l-preġudizzju jiddominaw fuq il-ġustizzja soċjali. Il-pożizzjoni ta’ AD dejjem kienet ċara. Aħna nemmnu li koppji gay għandu jkollhom il-possibilita’ li japplikaw għall-adozzjoni u li l-każ tagħhom ikun ikkunsidrat mill-Bord tal-Adozzjoni bl-istess mod li jiġu ikkunsidrati każi oħra. L-adozzjoni mhix dritt awtomatiku. Dan sempliċiment ifisser li koppji gay ma jiġux diskriminati fuq bażi tal-orjentazzjoni sesswali tagħhom, irrelevanti jekk humiex potenzjalment ġenituri tajbin jew le.”
Iċ-Chairperson ta’ AD, il-Professur Arnold Cassola, qal: “AD ma taqbilx mal-proposta tal-Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni Dr Simon Busuttil li jsir studju biex jiġi investigat l-impatt soċjali fil-każ ta’ adozzjoni minn koppji gay. Ironikament, il-parlament għadu kif ivvota favur Private Member’s Bill ippreżentata mill-PN biex il-kostituzzjoni tinkludi klawsola biex tkun projbita diskriminazzjoni fuq bażi ta’ orjentazzjoni sesswali.
“Li titlob għal studju speċifiku għall-koppji omosesswali ikun qiegħed jikkonferma din it-tip ta’ diskriminazzjoni. Il-valutazzjoni dwar l-adegwatezza ta’ ġenituri biex jaddottaw għandha tibqa’ ssir fuq il-mertu ta’ kull każ individwali għal kull persuna jew koppja li tapplika ghall-adozzjoni.”
