Third of gay people believe their sexuality is a barrier to adoption and fostering

More than a third of gay people in England and half of gay people in Scotland believe their sexuality could prevent them from adopting a child, according to research out today.

Action for Children and New Family Social surveyed 400 lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) parents and people considering fostering and adoption in the UK.

It found myths and prejudice still exist around fostering and adoption, with a quarter (25%) of gay people saying they had been told not to become a parent – often by their own family.

The findings have been published to mark the launch of New Family Social’s LGBT Fostering and Adoption Week (3-9 March), designed to dispel the myths circulating within the gay community and the general public.

Research by Action for Children also shows a third (32%) of people in the UK believe being gay prevents you from fostering children.

Jacob Tas, interim chief executive of Action for Children, said: “Being a good parent has nothing to do with being gay or straight. Right now there are more than 6,000 children waiting to be adopted and an urgent need to find 8,600 foster families.”

Tor Docherty, director of New Family Social said: “If just 1% of the LGBT community adopt or foster, this could plug the gap and ensure every child in the country has a loving home.”