The Children’s Society, an established English charity for children who struggle with drug addiction, alcohol abuse, or a history of sexual abuse, announced yesterday that it will begin allowing lesbian and gay individuals to serve as adoptive and foster parents. The Society, which is affiliated with the Church of England, had previously banned the practice.
Chief Executive Ian Sparks explained that the decision was made largely out of necessity, given that the Society is struggling to find enough families to fulfill its mission. “Many of the children we foster or adopt need very intensive and specialist care,” Sparks explained. “We believe that is these children are to have the choice of a family and home of their own, we should not exclude consideration of anyone who has the special abilities or experience to provide the right home and care for them.”
A spokesperson for the Church of England announced that the Church’s support for the Children’s Society will continue, despite opposition from several high-level officials. The spokesperson added that the Church “will continue to teach that a stable, married environment is the best place for bringing up children. This does not change the Church’s view on the subject.”
