Charity recruits gay couples as foster carers

[ejbr]

January 9, 2012

Like many couples, Brett Albury and Brett McKinnon reached the stage in their relationship where they wanted children. ''We have nieces and godchildren, we really love children,'' said Mr McKinnon, ''but obviously we weren't in a position to have children of our own.''

They had been together seven years, and shared a mortgage and a business, when they saw a recruitment advertisement for foster carers. It declared carers could be ''single or in a relationship; gay or straight …''

''We went straight away to the information evening,'' said Mr McKinnon, 46.

The Benevolent Society, which had placed the advertisement, has recruited foster carers from the gay community for three years. It will ratchet up its efforts during the Mardi Gras festival that begins next month.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/charity-recruits-gay-couples-as-foster-carers-20120108-1pq7t.html#ixzz1isSOn9Pc

[qb]

1. This is good news. Hennepin County, MN also encourages fostering by gays & lesbians.

[handmade34]

2. excellent

(should have known it wasn't an article from the U.S.) We would be well served to follow their lead.

All people need to learn that the sexual orientation of the parents has no bearing on how successful they are as parents... this family is just one example of how wonderful same sex parents can be... these boys and their parents were an extremely delightful family that I met while at the zoo...

[BlueToTheBone]

3. I'll bet they'll be great foster parents!

Foster children have very unique problems and need people who can be incredibly tolerant and can create healthy boundaries for the child.