Parliament OKs Gay Adoption
[ENGLAND] - Reversing itself from last month, Britain's upper chamber of Parliament voted Tuesday to allow unmarried and gay couples to adopt children. The approval signals that the measure will likely become law.
The House of Lords' approval came a day after the measure was passed for a second time in the House of Commons.
According to the Associated Press, the law makes Britain the fifth European country to allow gay couples to adopt, following Denmark, Iceland, the Netherlands and Sweden.
Under current law, only married couples and single people can adopt. Supporters of the new law say it will help the thousands of children who are waiting to be adopted.
Alan Milburn, the government's health secretary, said, "As a result of tonight's vote, many children in care institutions will be able to hope for a life out of care and in a stable and loving family."
Opponents had argued that married couples offer the most stabile homes for children. The House of Lords, which is traditionally the more conservative chamber, first rejected the measure on Oct. 16.
