PFLAG China confronts national adoption agency ban on gay couples

Message on China Center of Adoption’s website says homosexuality is a mental illness

The director of PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) China has confronted the national adoption agency about a message on their website that says they don’t allow gay couples to adopt because homosexuality is a ‘mental illness’.

Homosexuality was removed from the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders in 2001, and PFLAG China said the message is ‘very offensive and disciminating’.

PFLAG China’s director Ah Qiang brought attention to China Center of Adoption’s statement via Weibo (China’s Twitter) on Saturday (3 November), saying:

‘The adoption center should remove the message. They must stop the spread of discrimination against gay people.’

Ah Qiang’s original message has been forwarded nearly 3,000 times and nearly 600 people have made overwhelmingly supportive comments on the post.

PFLAG China project manager Rachel Lin told Gay Star News:

‘We’ve initiated this public advocacy campaign to tell people that LGBT parents can raise their children just as well as straight couples. What matters most for the healthy growth of children is a harmonious and affectionate environment.’

by Anna Leach
Source – Gay Star News