It would be an “injustice” if foster carers were barred from looking after children because they oppose same-sex marriage, an MSP has claimed.
However, the SNP’s Richard Lyle’s proposals to introduce a clause stating that a potential adoptive parent or foster carer’s views on marriage cannot be taken into account during the fostering or adoption process were thrown out by a Holyrood committee.
The Equal Opportunities Committee voted against changes to the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill which were aimed at enhancing protections for religious bodies and celebrants, potential foster carers and adoptive parents, and public authority workers who do not support same-sex marriage.
Mr Lyle, who adopted his daughter 31 years ago after a lengthy process, said: “Should same-sex marriage become law, there is a very real danger that potential foster carers and adopters may be wrongly deemed homophobic, because of their opposition to same-sex marriage and, therefore, may not be [deemed] suited to the role.
“I trust that all members of the committee would agree that it would be a terrible injustice for everyone concerned if otherwise suitable adopters or foster carers were turned down because of their views on marriage.”
His proposal was rejected by the committee during its consideration of stage two amendments.
Committee member Marco Biagi, also an SNP MSP, said he would be concerned if a child who had been cared for by a same-sex couple was then moved into a family where there was an objection to the previous arrangements.
“That would be a material consideration,” he said.
Health Secretary Alex Neil said: “It is already the case that views on same-sex marriage cannot disqualify anyone from becoming a foster carer or an adoptive parent.”
He said that “views on same-sex marriage are likely to be irrelevant” in the process.
Amendments from SNP MSP John Mason aimed at “bolstering protection for those with religious views who do not wish to participate in same-sex marriage” and “protecting expression of belief in marriage between persons of different sex” were also voted down.