Same-Sex Couples Can Now Adopt Children in Victoria

The Victorian government announced that starting yesterday, same-sex couples can now adopt children in Victoria.

LGBTI couples can now apply to adopt children as the Adoption Amendment (Adoption by Same-Sex Couples) Act 2015 is now in effect.

The Act, which was passed last year, puts people in same-sex relationships on the same legal footing as any other couple seeking to adopt.

Premier Daniel Andrews has posted on Facebook about the latest pro-LGBTI reform. He wrote: “Adoption equality starts now”.

“The Act reflects the fact that a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity is distinct from their capacity to be a loving and caring parent,” the Victorian government said in a statement.

The government also added that through the reform, there will be more chances for a child to be cared for by a family.

“The increase in families applying to adopt will mean that there will be more opportunities for children to be matched with the best possible family. The paramount consideration of courts in considering adoption applications remains the best interests of the child to be adopted. Other safeguards continue to apply, such as the requirement that applicants are fit and proper persons,” the statement reads.

Equality Minister Martin Foley also praised the changes. “This law brings much needed certainty for many children and their parents who currently live in a legal haze in terms of their relationships with the people they love,” he said in a statement.

Victoria joins Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and NSW in allowing same-sex couples to adopt, while Queensland is in the process of amending their laws to also allow it.

Source: Huffingtonpost.com.au