Czech Republic Changes Discriminatory Same-Sex Partner Adoption Laws

On Friday, the Czech Republic lifted its long-time ban on gay couples adopting together. The court decision was prompted by a gay man who could adopt as a single man, but was unable to adopt when he entered a partnership.

Though this is a wonderful step forward by the Czech Republic and a win for the LGBT community, this new change is not without its drawbacks. For instance, with this new law change a gay person would be able to adopt in a same-sex partnership, but unfortunately would not be able to adopt with their partner. Only one person in the relationship could legally adopt the child.

Maria von Känel, President of the Board of the Network of European LGBTIQ Families Associations, said in a press release: “The decision to lift the ban on adoption against individuals in same-sex registered partnerships is a just decision, and one that recognizes what experts have been saying all this time, that a person’s sexual orientation is not a criterion of good parenting.”

Adding, “The Czech authorities should go much further and allow registered partners to apply for adoption jointly; only then will all legal discrimination be erased.”

Photo by Caitlin Childs