People who have concerns about homosexuals adopting children are 'retarded homophobes' who are merely 'whinging', according to a pamphlet published by the Government-funded national adoption agency.
The British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF), which is funded by the taxpayer, used the slur in a guide published to help homosexual couples to adopt children. It was then repeated in the BAAF newspaper By My Parent.
The BAAF’s guidance stated:
‘Most importantly, don’t worry about society.'
‘Children need good parents much more than retarded homophobes need an excuse to whinge, so don’t let your worries about society’s reaction hinder your desire and ability to give a child a loving caring home.’
The insulting description prompted outrage among senior politicians and former Cabinet Ministers, Roman Catholic and Church of England leaders, and family campaigners. It also angered disability campaigners who accused the charity of using 'out-dated discriminatory language' as they have been trying to discourage the use of the word 'retarded' for years. (The page was later edited. Click here to see excerpts.)
Julian Brazier, Conservative MP and co-chairman of the All-Party Commons Group on Adoption and Fostering, said: ‘I work with BAAF all the time and I know how much they bring to adoption.
‘I must say I am very sad that they should use this language about people who have an honest disagreement with them.’
Author Patricia Morgan, who has published a study of gay adoption, said:
‘It is disgraceful that they do not wish to discuss the pros and cons of gay adoption. They just go in for abuse. They do not appear interested in evidence about the outcomes for children. And it is a disgusting phrase to use.’
The publishing of the BAAF guidance follows the launch of a book - the Pink Guide to Adoption for Lesbians and Gay Men - aimed at encouraging homosexual couples to consider taking on a child in need of new parents. The book was written by former Guardian journalist and charity writer Nicola Hill. It offers advice to couples in the face of ‘prejudice against adoption’ by homosexuals.
On Wednesday 13 May 2009, Channel 4, in a clear propaganda attempt, had shown a documentary in which two homosexuals, John, 56, and Anthony, 38, expressed their wish to become parents, and had ' decided that adoption is the way for them’.
(See http://adoptionexperience.channel4.com/find-me-a-family/programme-3)
Apart from religious objections, there is clear evidence which supports the principle that the traditional complementary marriage with gender diversity serves for the best interests of the child. (See expert evidence at
http://www.ccfon.org/docs/Evidence_of_damage_to_children_raised_in_same_sex_households.pdf)
The most reputable scientists would agree that the research on children raised by homosexual couples is either non-existent or in its infancy. Yet the BAAF is taking a leap into the unknown and gambling with children's welfare by actively encouraging homosexuals to adopt, whilst turning married couples away.
There has been a steady increase in homosexuals seeking to adopt children since a 2005 law change, after the Government’s Sexual Orientation Regulations 2007 forced adoption agencies to consider homosexual couples as potential adopters. In 2008, Vincent Matherick, 65, and his 61-year-old wife Pauline, a Christian couple who have taken in 28 children, have been forced by Somerset Social Services to give up being foster parents after they refused to promote homosexuality (see http://www.ccfon.org/view.php?id=182). After the intervention of the Christian Legal Centre (CLC) they won the right to have their personal convictions and conscientious objections recognised.
Likewise, Eunice and Owen Johns, committed Christian couple and foster parents, were told by Derby City Council that their views on homosexuality were out of line with diversity standards, and had their application withdrawn. CLC intervened and their foster care application was successfully reinstated (see http://www.ccfon.org/view.php?id=264).
There were 80 homosexual adoptions in England in 2007-08, the Daily Telegraph reports.
Andrea Minichiello Williams, Director of CCFON stated 'The Bible tells us that God's fundamental building block for society is a man and a woman united in marriage and for children to be raised within that framework. When the state sanctions and promotes adoption by same sex couples it is acting contrary to biblical principles. All the evidence shows that children do best when they are raised by a mother and a father.'
Daily Telegraph
Daily Telegraph (Commentary)
blogs.telegraph.co.uk/edwest/blog/2009/05/15/liberal_bigots_turn_their_fire_on_retarded_homophobes
Daily Mail
Daily Mail (Commentary)
www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1181384/MAIL-COMMENT-The-insult-says-adoption.html
Christian Today
www.christiantoday.com/article/adoption.group.criticised.for.retarded.homophobes.comment/23346.htm
Fans Online (Commentary)