1 in 3 gay people ‘believe they cannot foster or adopt’

One in three gay people believe that their sexuality means that they cannot foster or adopt children.

According to new research from Action for Children and New Family Social, 36% of gay people see their sexuality as a barrier, while 53% in Scotland believe it would prevent them from becoming foster or adoptive parents.

The survey of 400 LGBT parents found that 25% were told that they should not be parents, with many saying that it was their own families that made the claim.

The results also showed that 32% of the general population still believe that LGBT people cannot adopt or foster children.

Jacob Tas, interim chief executive of Action for Children, said: “Being a good parent has nothing to do with being gay or straight.

“Right now there are more than 6,000 children waiting to be adopted and an urgent need to find 8,600 foster families. We run fostering and adoption services and help children achieve their dreams of having families.”

Tor Docherty, director of New Family Social said: “If just one per cent of the LGBT community adopt or foster, this could plug the gap and ensure every child in the country has a loving home.”

The findings have been revealed to coincide with the launch of New Family Social’s LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week, which runs until Sunday, March 9.