Is business as usual always the right way?

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Publié vendredi 27 juin 2008 à 10h34
par rikkeindenmark Devenir militant(e) du PSE (vu 544 fois et 3 commentaires)

“I don’t have anything against gays and lesbians, but I do think the only right thing for a child is to have a father and a mother”

As you might already have guessed this post will be about adoption rights for same-sex couples. My original intention was to write about parental leave for fathers, but this topic has already been covered extensively on Yourspace! So to say something new and to touch upon another controversial topic I’ll blog about adoption rights.

I know the Nordic countries are pretty far when it comes to LGBT rights, but still we’re not far enough. The quote above is not from me (oh no! :-)), but from a Danish politician who is very much against same-sex couples adopting. The statement is not really an intelligent argument against LGBT couples adopting - it’s more a claim that ‘the way things usually are done’ is always the right way. In other words it’s a (conservative) moral statement. Statements like this are typical for the debate on adoption rights in Denmark: there’s an assumption that same-sex couples are not fit to be parents, simply because they are not ‘business as usual’. In my opinion this is very weak argument – why should same-sex couples be less ‘parent-skilled’ than heterosexual couples? Being a loving and nurturing parent has, in my view, nothing to do with sexual orientation - or gender for that matter.

I’m definitely not an expert on adoption laws, but as far as I understand same-sex couples are not allowed to adopt in Denmark. However, an individual can adopt – and usually women stand a better chance than men (for no good reason in my opinion). So this is what same-sex couples do in Denmark (correct me if I’m wrong!!): one of them adopts and the other one receives no rights in relation to the child. No right to parental leave when the child arrives and no right to see the child if the relationship does not last.

I know these options are much more than what is available to same-sex couple in many other European countries. Therefore, I think the PES should express its support for LGBT rights more loudly. There’s (still) a lot of moral conservatism in Europe and I see it as an important task for Europe’s socialists and social democrats to challenge such perceptions and ensure more inclusive societies.

Tags: blogueur de la semaine, discrimination, diversité, gay, LGBT

Commentaires

1. Danish snoozefest par neonpop le vendredi 27 juin 2008 à 12h13

Therefore, I think the PES should express its support for LGBT rights more loudly." - ABSOLUTELY! I very much agree with this post above. Parenting is first of all not a question of sexuality or gender. Most of all, it's very sad that the government won't recognise same-sex couples as equals (equal individuals) to hetero couples. Well, that is the exact status quo of the current law. Yes. A disgrace and very "strange", given the fact that Danish law is striving after equality among the people and want to be so ahead regarding human rights in general. But in this respect, apparently only rights for heterosexuals individuals. REALLY?! Is that what Denmark is cheering for these days? What a snoozefest. But then again, the current government in Denmark is not exactly known for a great openness towards multi-culturalism, so why would they differ on this subject... ;) Let's fight for some serious equal rights now, shall we! And hey, just take a look at Norway - they got it going for them up there. Now homosexuals are allowed to adopt and get married! Heja Norge! :)

2. Info from the Netherlands par Hanneke le mardi 8 juillet 2008 à 20h26

Dear Rikke,

 You are fully right to question the situation that a single parent can adopt, but a gay couple cannot. This is actually why gay couples were also given the official right to adopt in the Netherlands by law in 2005... It was felt that it is ridiculous that a single parent can adopt a child, even if this single person would be gay, but when he or she starts a relationship he/she would no longer be eligible... That makes no sense, and would be discriminatory. And in fact, the European Court of Justice overruled France when it denied the right to adoption to a gay person, judging it to be illegal discremination. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1706514,00.html?xid=feed-cnn-topics. In reality however, same sex couples were allowed to adopt children before that too. It was just a matter of adjusting the law to reality.

 The Netherlands, like the Nordic countries, are very forward with this type of regulation, and of course there are criticisms. As the discriminitory objections can no longer be supported, let's look at the other argument that comes up: children from same sex parents would get picked at in school, and would suffer the consequences. This means that the problems is not the children, but it's how other people react to them? Shouldnt we focus on creating more tolerance and real human rights, changing the reactions that other people might have, instead of denying children in need a good home?

 It is clear discrimination, and even though it unfortunately takes time, I am convinced the whole of Europe, and beyond that, will see reason. So yes, policitical lobbying would be a great idea!

3. More on adoption rights par rikkeindenmark Devenir militant(e) du PSE le vendredi 11 juillet 2008 à 13h46

Neonpop: I agree with you, a lot of progress needs to happen in Denmark and the rest of Europe. I didn't know about Norway, I'm glad to hear that they set a good example!

Hanneke: I actually think that the Netherlands is much more advanced than Denmark when it comes to LGBT rights. Thanks for the insights - and I agree: there's much more to do, also in the countries that see themselves in front!

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