Gay U.S. man wins Colombia adoption case
U.S. citizen Chandler Burr - centre - arrives at court in Bogota, Colombia.
Colombian authorities ruled on Monday that Burr could regain custody of his two adopted Colombian children, following a legal dispute over Burr's homosexuality.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) DIEGO MOLANO, DIRECTOR OF THE ICBF, SAYING:
"The defence of the family decided to give back, as a provisional measure, the children to their family environment - to be more accurate, to Mr. Chandler Burr - and to their extended family who reside in the United States."
Burr, a former New York Times columnist, began the process of adopting an abandoned 10-year-old boy and another thirteen-year-old a year-and-a-half ago.
But after having mentioned his sexuality in a casual conversation, a lawyer representing the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare removed the boys from his care in March.
An elated Burr told reporters the children understood the situation.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CHANDLER BURR, GAY U.S. CITIZEN WHO WON ADOPTION CASE, SAYING:
"They both are perfectly aware. They know that this happened because I said that I was gay and they do understand that I am gay."
According to Colombian law, sexual orientation cannot affect the decision on whether an individual can adopt.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
Colombian authorities ruled on Monday that Burr could regain custody of his two adopted Colombian children, following a legal dispute over Burr's homosexuality.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) DIEGO MOLANO, DIRECTOR OF THE ICBF, SAYING:
"The defence of the family decided to give back, as a provisional measure, the children to their family environment - to be more accurate, to Mr. Chandler Burr - and to their extended family who reside in the United States."
Burr, a former New York Times columnist, began the process of adopting an abandoned 10-year-old boy and another thirteen-year-old a year-and-a-half ago.
But after having mentioned his sexuality in a casual conversation, a lawyer representing the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare removed the boys from his care in March.
An elated Burr told reporters the children understood the situation.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CHANDLER BURR, GAY U.S. CITIZEN WHO WON ADOPTION CASE, SAYING:
"They both are perfectly aware. They know that this happened because I said that I was gay and they do understand that I am gay."
According to Colombian law, sexual orientation cannot affect the decision on whether an individual can adopt.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
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