Tuesday, September, 10, 2002
High court in South Africa rules in favor of adoption by unmarried couples
A story released today by the Associated Press reports that South African high court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to adopt children and laws that prevent them from doing so violate their constitutional rights.
The Constitutional Court found that people in permanent same-sex partnerships could provide children with the stability, support and affection they needed.
Lesbian judges Anne-Marie de Vos and Suzanne du Toit, who have been partners since 1989, had asked the court to overturn laws that prevented du Toit from adopting de Vos's two children.
"I am ecstatic," said de Vos. "I needed to know that if something happened to me, Suzanne would be able to take care of the children. We just want to be settled and secure in the knowledge that we can both take care of them."
South Africa's constitution outlaws discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
