Gay, orphans, adoption, Britain. Quick, what comes to mind? Besides the Broadway musical version of Oliver Twist.
In what's been called the most significant revamping of UK adoption regulations in 30 years, The Adoption and Children Act 2002 went into effect in England and Wales last Friday. Among the major changes:
"The new legislation make the child's welfare paramount in all decisions to do with adoption," which sounds like finally have, I'd imagine.
Gay and unmarried couples will now be allowed to adopt, just in time to let Sir Elton and his hubby become dads.
A "special guardianship" status was enacted to give clear legal rights and responsibilities to adoptive caregiver/parents who want to maintain some relationship with the birth parents.
A system will be set up to allow family members to register to locate and be located by children given up for adoption when the child turns 18.
And finally, to be eligible for adoption, boys will no longer have to pick a pocket or two.
Unmarried and same-sex couples free to adopt [guardian.co.uk]
