The uproar centres on the Equality Act, which comes into force in Apriland which bans discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities andservices. One of its ramifications is that faith groups, like theCatholic Church, would not be allowed to refuse to place children withgay and lesbian couples.
However, senior figures in the church argue that the church's teachingagainst homosexuality prevents them placing children with gaycouples.
And they warn that if they're not allowed to simply refer gay couplesonto other agencies they may have to close theirs.
Supporters of this stance also highlight that these agencies only dealtwith a very small number of adoptions last year - around four per cent -and that it's unlikely that a gay couple would approach a Catholicadoption agency. However, many people, including Government ministers,point out that this doesn't get over the fact that you are eitheragainst discrimination or you can allow it; it's impossible to be a bitagainst in certain circumstances.
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