From January 1, same-sex couples and de facto spouses may adopt stepchildren in Switzerland.
In addition, the secrecy surrounding adoption will be loosened so adopted children and their biological parents will be able to get in contact more easily.
Until now, only married people have been able to adopt their spouses’ children. In Switzerland, homosexuals have been able to enter into a civil partnership since 2007, but gay marriage is not recognised. From 2018 however, adoption will be possible for anyone in a civil partnership or a longterm relationship.
Swiss law will thus align itself closer to that of other western European countries and the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights.
That said, a couple in a civil partnership will still be unable to adopt a child who is biologically unrelated to both parents. This means that a gay person can adopt if single, but not when in a civil partnership.
The adoption option was deliberately left out of the nationwide vote on approving civil partnerships for gays in 2005 in order to increase the chances of success.
December 26, 2017 via SwissInfo.ch
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The post Swiss Gays and lesbians can now adopt stepchildren appeared first on Time For Families.
Source: Time for Families
