LGBT people in Cornwall encouraged to consider adoption

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) people are being encouraged to consider adopting or fostering.

Cornwall Council (CC) said it needs to find homes for a number of children and if more LGBT people considered the option, the shortfall would be eased.

Currently, 15 same-sex couples and a single gay male have adopted 25 children between them with a further four couples being assessed.

The council is holding an adoption event at New County Hall on Tuesday.

Kerry and Joanne, who cannot be identified further due to confidentiality issues, are in the process of adopting a second child.

'Child's happiness'

Kerry said: "As a gay couple, adoption was our first choice to create our family. We adopted our delightful daughter three years ago and our life changed in many, mostly wonderful, ways.

"The process of becoming adoptive parents is necessarily thorough. It can't have been too painful as we've just done it all again for a second time and look forward to our family expanding."

Cornwall Council said there was also one same-sex couple who fostered children and one couple being assessed.

Jack Cordery, head of the county's adoption service, said: "What is crucial for a child's happiness is the ability of their parents and carers to make secure, nurturing attachments, not their sexual orientation."

In Cornwall, 15 children are waiting for adoptive families and 390 are currently living in foster care.

The government said nationally, about 4,000 children need adopting every year and about 9,000 foster carers must be found.

It added that if 2% of LGBT people considered fostering or adopting that shortfall could be met.