Press Release

May 10, 1995

Children’s Rights Advanced by Lesbian Adoption Ruling

EGALE applauded today the historic decision of an Ontario Court granting same-sex partners the right to adopt. “This is a great day for equality,” said John Fisher Executive Director of EGALE. “The greatest thing about the decision is that it gives our son the security he’s entitled to.” said André Cyr, who is raising a child with his same-sex partner Todd Armstrong. “The laws can’t change the emotional bond my partner and I share; but now our son has the right to have two parents.”

Gays and lesbians were previously able to adopt, but only as single individuals. The Court ruling now enables a non-biological parent to adopt a child already being raised jointly by a same sex couple. “This is the law catching up to reality,” said Carmen Paquette, also of EGALE. “The reality is that many lesbian and gay couples are already raising children, but the law refused to recognize that. Now this ruling gives us the chance to provide for the emotional needs of our children in the security of a recognized relationship.”

Without an adoption order, a non-biological same-sex parent had little or no rights with respect to the child he or she co-parented. The non-biological co-parent could be precluded, for example, from obtaining medical assistance for the child, or from registering the child in school.

“The Courts are way ahead of the politicians in terms of ethical leadership,” added Fisher. “While the courts are recognizing the reality of our lives, the federal government still can’t even decide to introduce legislation protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination. It’s time for the government to pull itself out of the Dark Ages and introduce legislation to provide lesbians and gays with full equality. Their record on these issues is abysmal. Are they followers or leaders?”

For further information:
John Fisher, Executive Director, EGALE: (613) 230-1043
Carmen Paquette: (613) 241-7962
Todd Armstrong/André Cyr: (613) 820-5766

Egale Canada ©2010

Advancing equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-identified people and their families across Canada