The Scottish Parliament considered the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Bill during 2006. In advance of the final stage 3 debate on the bill, the SNP MSP for Perth, Roseanna Cunningham. proposed amendments to the bill that would have prevented same-sex couples from jointly adopting children. The Equality Network wrote to all MSPs to ask them to oppose these amendments.

In the debate and vote on Roseanna Cunningham's amendments, on December 7th 2006, the amendments were defeated by 101 votes to 8. The bill was passed, and is now the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007. However, the Act is not yet in effect, which means that at present only one person in a same-sex couple can adopt a child. We expect the Act to come into effect, allowing same-sex couples to adopt jointly, in early 2008.

Equality Network briefing for MSPs on Roseanna Cunningham's amendments to the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Bill (22k)