By John K. on March 30, 2011
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2011/0330/1224293350640.html
Foster family: Patrick Bracken and Dave Thomas at their home in Arklow, Co Wicklow.Photograph: Eric Luke
Six years ago, DAVE THOMAS and his partner decided to become foster parents – but as a gay couple, they faced and uphill struggle. Here, he recalls the obstacles they overcame to provide a family for children in need
WE FIRST thought about fostering six years ago. Patrick and I wanted children, but gay couples in Ireland aren’t allowed to adopt, which seemed unfair. So we discussed fostering, which is allowed.
It would be another two years before we would apply. In that time, we wondered whether we would be able to cope with the challenging behaviour of a damaged child. How would it affect our private lives? Would people talk about us in a negative way? Continue reading »
Posted in Media watch, TV programs Tagged Adoptees, All sessions (pink), Intercountry, Parenting, TV, USA
By John K. on March 14, 2011
http://www.aai.gov.ie/index.php/latest-news.html
Because the new processes introduced since Hague has come into force, the AAI has been able to highlight the unacceptable practices of improper financial transactions in adoptions, and will therefore be in a better position to fight them in the future.
There was a worry that parents who paid these might be denied registration, but that was obviously not in the best interest of the child. Still these parents should think hard about the implications of having paid these brown envelopes, closing their eyes on the potential for abuse that these strongly indicate.
The AAI has noticed that in a number of recent applications for an entry in the Register of Intercountry Adoptions substantial amounts of money (described as ‘Humanitarian Aid’ or ‘Donation’) have been handed over to persons abroad in respect of an individual adoption.
PAP’s are reminded that humanitarian aid or donations should not be associated with individual children being adopted. Continue reading »
Posted in Adoption process, Media watch Tagged Abuse, Adoption authority, Intercountry, Ireland, Trafficking
By John K. on March 1, 2011
http://www.rte.ie/tv/greysanatomy/programmes.html
http://www.rte.ie/tv/greysanatomy/previously.html
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0413573/episodes#season-7
Mark, the biological father, and Arizona, the same-gender partner, have to find a way to co-habitate with Callie, plan for the way their alteratove family will function in spite of a systematic animosity between the first two.
Then a life changing and life saving decision needs to be taken, which exposes the fact that Arizona is “no one” to Callie in the eyes of the law, and has no legal say. Continue reading »
Posted in Media watch, TV programs Tagged Adoptees, All sessions (pink), Intercountry, Parenting, TV, USA
By John K. on January 12, 2011
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11012/1117264-455.stm
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
By Mackenzie Carpenter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Davidson Ketchum, aka “Rocky,” finally went home last week.
And how was he feeling?
Alison McMutrie, left, and her sister, Jamie McMutrie Heckman, speaking at a news conference at Children's Hospital of UPMC in Lawrenceville last January (John Heller/Post-Gazette).
“Better,” announced the energetic 6-year-old Haitian orphan who, along with his 9-year-old brother Edens, left Holy Family Institute in Emsworth last Wednesday after nearly a year’s stay to become a member of Steve and Mardi Ketchum’s family in Aspen, Colo.
A better life may indeed be ahead for Rocky, his brother and the 1,100 other children who, in the four months after Haiti’s brutal earthquake one year ago today, were brought to the United States under a temporary humanitarian parole program to be placed with adoptive families.
The boys were part of the airlift of 54 orphans Jan. 18, led by Gov. Ed Rendell and U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire, D-McCandless, after appeals by two Ben Avon sisters, Jamie and Ali McMutrie. Continue reading »
Posted in Articles, Media coverage, Media watch Tagged Haiti, Intercountry, Trafficking, USA
By John K. on September 16, 2010
As we have seen, with Hague coming, things have changed, and relationships with “sending” countries are changing too.
Understanding Hague… a story of Doors and Windows
To add a bit of clarity, we have collated the various sources of information into one table, which we hope reflects the reality of the situation.
This is not a legal insurance… it is only our understanding to help you direct your searches!
Countries that are supposed to have agreements with Ireland soon:
(May take 6 months)
- South-Africa
(Pink friendly)
- Bulgaria
(Pink not too unfriendly: single lesbians will be OK, single gay men may or may not, sole applicants in a same-gender couple may or may not)
- Thailand
(Only married couples)
Countries that may open talks next:
(May take longer)
- Brazil
(Pink friendly)
- Kazakhstan
(Unknown)
- South Korea
(Unknown)
Posted in Adoption process, The law, Tools Tagged Brazil, Bulgaria, Intercountry, Kazakhstan, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand
By Noel on September 14, 2010
You have heard that everything will change with Ireland finally ratifying the Hague Agreement. How so?
Based on the idea that intercountry adoption can be achieved in two ways: through the Door or through the Window, let’s try to explain what happens.
The situation before
Doors (ajar)
Before, and up to the 1st November, there were very little doors, and they were barely ajar.
The Adoption board had bilateral agreements with 4 countries (Vietnam, China, Philippines, Thailand), and the Doors could just be shut closed by a simple draft, or by a storm. For instance Vietnam “closed” because of a financial scandal.
Windows
For other countries (Romania, Ethiopia, Russia, South-Africa), applicants had to go through the Window. They would go there, arrange an adoption and come back.
Then they would need to prove that they had not burgled the house through the Window: they had to prove to the Irish courts that the adoption was compliant with the Irish legislation.
The situation now
Continue reading »
Posted in Adoption process, The law Tagged Adoption authority, Bulgaria, Intercountry, Ireland, LGBT, Lobbying, South Africa, Thailand
By Noel on September 1, 2010
http://www.gcn.ie/feature.aspx?articleid=2895§ionid=15
Following much criticism from gay and lesbian groups, Modern Family’s gay couple are finally set to share a romantic smooch.
Producers say that was a mere accident that the couple, played by Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, didn’t kiss during season one, but they plan to make good on it during the upcoming season.
“We’ve had an episode planned for a long time that dealt with that subject of (their being affectionate),” producer Steve Levitan told US entertainment network E!.
“So it almost bothers us that there was a little bit of controversy about it. Because we don’t want to appear that we’re answering that criticism. But sure enough, we’re dealing with public displays of affection, and the power of a kiss. Seems simple, but intriguing – I hope.”
The kiss will air when the show returns to it’s prime time slot in the U.S next month.
Posted in Media watch, TV programs Tagged Adoptees, All sessions (pink), Intercountry, Parenting, TV, USA
By Irish Pink Adoptions on March 1, 2010
Not reviewed yet. On the recommended book list.
In search of belonging, reflections by 'transracially' adopted people, Perlita Harris,
British Association of fostering and adoption (www.baaf.org.uk), 2006 |
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Posted in Books Tagged Books, Intercountry, Racism, Recommended list (AAI), Stage 1, UK
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