Solidarity condemns moves by Nationalist MSP Roseanna Cunningham, to table amendments today which could effectively block gay couples from adopting children. In an argument that claims the moral high-ground, Cunningham argues that moves to allow the Bill to proceed would be ‘against nature’s design’. Solidarity believes that the rights of children to have their needs met far outweigh the outdated and inaccurate perceptions of a politician whose agenda is clearly driven by their own personal or religious or moral beliefs.

Cunningham is correct in that there are ‘serious issues’ surrounding this debate. These serious issues are around whether two people (sexual orientation should not be a factor considered relevant) are able to provide a loving, safe, stable environment in which a child may thrive. Solidarity Co-Convenor Rosemary Byrne said:

“During wars, whole generations of children have been raised in homes where two women manage the household – mothers and grandmothers, aunts, sisters – all have worked efficiently as a family unit, producing well adjusted and well cared for children. It is a nonsense to argue that what those two women may have done in their sexual lives should have any bearing on the well being of the children in the household. As adults, our sex lives remain apart from our children’s frame of reference – as should always be the case. Personal and deeply private matters such as these should not form part of the equation when assessing a couple’s ability to care for a child, who, if we are honest, has most probably been damaged either in the home of natural parents, or in being part of the care system.”

Shame then, on the imaginary ‘majority’ that Cunningham claims to represent. Shame, if they would rather see a child live in fear, poverty and lack of life chances than live with two well adjusted, caring individuals who just happen to be of the same gender. Solidarity knows that the people of Scotland would not support this shameful view and the party will continue the struggle to ensure that all Scottish citizens retain the right to care for our young people.

Solidarity member and manager of the Glasgow LGBT Centre, Ruth Black, called on the SNP to deal with Cunningham’s attack on equality:

“The SNP clearly state, on their website, that they believe in “equal rights for all, regardless of race, gender, age, sexuality, faith, belief, ability, status or social background”. We call on SNP members to ask Roseanna Cunningham to accept this fundamental plank of the SNP’s belief’s or to resign from the party and the parliament.”