News roundup

An article appears today in El País, Spain’s main newspaper, explaining that many countries are now changing their inter-country adoption policies (explicitly or implicitly) to exclude single and gay adopters. China, Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus now demand that adopters be joined in a heterosexual marriage (as well as a high income and even that both prospective parents have university degrees in some cases). The article mentions that the only 2 countries that actually allow gay prospective adopters are Brazil and Burkina Faso. In the case of Brazil, this is only allowed if the child is over 6 years of age or suffers from a long-term illness or disability. Clearly gay parents are only welcome to take away the children that nobody else wants in those countries. There is mention in the article to the fact that South Africa is another place that allows gay prospective adopters, but I’m not sure whether this is for inter-country or just adoptions within the country.

Also, yesterday Pope Benedict said that humankind is facing self-destruction and saving humanity from homosexual or transsexual behaviour was as important as protecting the environment. It’s nice of the Catholic church to send such an inclusive message 3 days before Christmas, isn’t it? As a Catholic myself I feel particularly accepted by my church at this time of year… not.