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11/12/2013

Ban Lifted On NI Gay Adoption

A ban on gay and unmarried couples wanting to adopt children in Northern Ireland has been lifted.

According to the Belfast Telegraph, same-sex couples can now apply to adopt in the same way as heterosexual couples.

Health Minister Edwin Poots had been attempting to challenge an appeal courts decision to extend adoption rights to gay couples. However, the Supreme Court has now said the arguments put forward by NI's Department of Health did not meet criteria.

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Previously, a single gay or lesbian person could adopt a child in Northern Ireland, but a couple in a civil partnership could not. In June of this year, it was ruled by the Court of Appeal that the differentiation based on relationship status discriminated against those in civil partnerships and therefore breached their human rights.

The move by the Supreme Court now brings the region into line with the rest of the UK who have no such restrictions on gay adoption.

A Department of Health spokesperson is quoted as saying: "Following the Court of Appeal judgement in June 2013, unmarried couples, including same sex couples, and those in a civil partnership may apply to adopt.

"The final decision regarding the granting of an adoption order will lie with the court."

(JP/IT)

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"A ban on gay and unmarried couples wanting to adopt children in Northern Ireland has been lifted."