What’s new:
Ending years of legal limbo, Israel’s Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that same-sex couples have the right to adopt children, interpreting the 1981 adoption law in a broader context that extends beyond heteronormative definitions.
Why it matters:
The verdict constitutes a monumental step for LGBTQ+ rights in Israel, carving out a significant victory for equality and non-discrimination in a society where same-sex couples have fought long and hard for family recognition.
Backdrop:
Previously, the 1981 adoption law was understood to pertain solely to “a man and his wife,” typically excluding same-sex couples unless under special exceptions. Calls for the law’s reinterpretation to include same-sex couples have grown, particularly after no legislative progress was made following a withdrawn petition back in 2017.
By the numbers:
Rare exceptions in the law have allowed some adoptions by same-sex couples, but until now, they typically were considered only as a last resort when a child could not be placed with a heterosexual couple.
The big picture:
The court’s decision reflects a broader interpretation of what constitutes a stable adoptive family unit. This ruling affirms that same-sex couples’ eligibility to adopt is compatible with the sections of the existing law aimed at ensuring a nurturing home environment for children in need.
From the court:
Justice Uzi Vogelman highlighted that the law’s reference to eligible adoptive parents concerns the distinction between singular and dual-parent homes, rather than the genders of the couple. The competence of same-sex couples to provide loving, stable homes wasn’t in question.
Voices:
Ran Shalhavi, director-general of the Aguda – Israel’s LGBT Task Force, heralds the verdict as a historic and groundbreaking success that shines a light of hope. The decision repudiates years of governmental discrimination and provides a bulwark against homophobia, he explains.
Be smart:
The ruling by the Supreme Court not only aligns Israel with other nations that have embraced LGBTQ+ parental rights but also underscores the Court’s role as a protector of minority rights in the face of sociopolitical challenges.
This story was first published on ynetnews.com.