British adoption group removes R-word from its guide for gays, lesbians

From The Telegraph in the UK:

The British Association for Adoption and Fostering said it had removed the "inappropriate" words but stood by "the sentiments behind it".

The move prompted outrage among disability campaigners who accused the charity of using "out-dated discriminatory language".

It follows the launch of a book - the Pink Guide to Adoption for Lesbians and Gay Men - aimed at encouraging same-sex couples to consider taking on a child in need of new parents.

The guide offers advice to couples in the face of "prejudice against adoption" by lesbians and gay men.

But it also included comments from a carer who advised would-be adopters: "Most importantly, don't worry about society.

"Children need good parents much more than retarded homophobes need an excuse to whinge, so don't let your worries about society's reaction hinder your desire and ability to give a child a loving caring home."

This extract was also quoted in a plug for the guide on the BAAF's Be My Parent website, although the word "retarded" was later removed. The charity said future print versions of the book would also be changed.

There has been a steady increase in gay and lesbian couples seeking to adopt children since a 2005 law change, but there were still only 80 same-sex adoptions in England in 2007-08.

A BAAF spokeswoman insisted that the quote was taken from an adopter and did not reflect its own views.

But she said: "We apologise unreservedly for it. We completely accept that it was inappropriate and in retrospect it should now have been there. We know that we have some bridges to build with the disability sector."

She added: "It has now been removed from our website but we do still stand by the sentiments behind it. It is strong language but they are not our words, they are the words of the carer. It just reflects the strength of their feeling against the homophobia in society. This is how same-sex couples feel."

But Ismail Kaji, a spokesman for Mencap, the learning disability charity, said: "As someone with a learning disability I find the word retard highly offensive. It is unacceptable and a disgrace that a 'state-funded' agency is using such out-dated discriminatory language.

"There would quite rightly be outrage if a racist word was used in a government pamphlet – so why is abhorrent disablist language so often overlooked?"

The BAAF runs the Government's adoption register for England and Wales, stages training and conferences for social workers and leads campaigns to improve the lives of children in the care system. It also helps advice on legislation relating to young people and lists local authority social services departments among its members.

Julian Brazier, Conservative co-chairman of the all-party Commons adoption group, said: "I work with the BAAF all the time and I know how much they bring to adoption. I must say I am very sad that they should use this language about people who have an honest disagreement with them."