Australian MP opposes same-sex adoption

By 365gay Newswire
08.06.2009 4:00pm EDT

(Australia) Dorothy Pratt, an Australian Member of Parliament and independent, said that homosexuality was not a normal part of life after disagreeing with plans to legalize gay adoption reports the Pink News.

“I must say I was very pleased there was no allowance in this bill for homosexual couples to adopt a child,” she said.

Pratt, an MP for the Nanango district of Queensland, expressed her opposition to gay adoption and said that she believes a child should be raised by one mother and one father so it can have “a balanced view.”

“I feel very strongly about that particular thought that . . . I’m not saying they aren’t loving people, I’m not saying they wouldn’t be fabulous parents, but I am saying that in my opinion a child deserves a mother and a father if possible and that whether you regard homosexual activity as a normal part of life or not, I don’t,” she said.

Other Queensland parliament MPs, such as Christine Smith, spoke out in support for same-sex adoption.

“I acknowledge people have very strong and opposing views on the sensitive issue of same sex adoption,” said Smith. “I believe that same sex couples should be assessed by the same standards as any other couple on their suitability to adopt.”

Prior to the controversy surrounding Pratt, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced last week that he would not do away with the country’s anti-gay marriage laws.