Portugal Rejects Gay Adoption

Portugal's Parliament yesterday rejected a bill that would have legalized adoption by same-sex couples.

The draft laws, presented by the opposition Socialist, Left Bloc and Green parties were all defeated by some 30 votes by the chamber in which 220 deputies were present. The majority ruling right, led by the Social Democrats, had already refused to back similar propositions in 2012 and 2013. Thursday's vote was nevertheless passed by the smallest margin yet as the 16 Communist Party deputies for the first time backed the move to allow gay couples to adopt. In Portugal any individuals, including homosexuals, may apply to adopt but when the parliament authorised gay marriages in 2010 it expressly excluded the right for such couples to adopt.

The pro-gay Socialist Party is favored to take the majority this fall. (Tipped by JMG reader Lulu)