A same-sex couple with a five-year-old son have extended an invitation to two local MPs who oppose same-sex adoption to visit their home and see how normal their lives are.
Hoppers Crossing residents Michael Kennedy and Danny Mahfoud have defended their right to be parents following a pledge by western MPs Rachel Carling-Jenkins and Bernie Finn to vote against legislation that seeks to allow same-sex couples the right to adoption.
“We can be better parents than half the mums and dads out there,” Mr Kennedy said.
“We’re a normal, everyday family; it’s no different to any other family. [Our son] has never had a late-pass to school. He’s fed healthy food. He has nothing but love in our home.”
The two are parents to Mr Kennedy’s biological son, taking custody of him after his mother died three years ago.
“The fact that we’re still discussing this in 2015 is just not right,” Mr Mahfoud said. He described his son as “my medicine”.
“If anything were to happen to Michael, in the eyes of the law I’d have to fight to even see [my son] because I can’t legally adopt him,” Mr Mahfoud said.
“We want them to come over and see just how much love is in our home. Maybe then they’ll change their minds.”
The same-sex adoption laws were introduced into State Parliament last week but may struggle to get through the upper house where the Coalition has a two-seat majority over Labor.
Western Metropolitan MPs Dr Carling-Jenkins and her Liberal colleague Bernie Finn have voiced their strong opposition to the legislation.
Dr Carling-Jenkins, a Democratic Labour Party MP based in Werribee, said she believed legislating same-sex adoption would contribute to “the creation of another stolen generation”.
Dr Carling-Jenkins said “same-sex adoption discriminates against children by putting adult desires above a child’s needs”.
“I am convinced that opposite-sex parenting uniquely and powerfully has better outcomes for children than same-sex parenting,” she said.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy, who is in favour of same-sex adoption, has indicated the Liberals will be able to vote with their conscience.
Mr Finn said that while he was yet to see the bill, he did not support the concept of same-sex adoption and would vote against it.
“That’s not to say some gay couples wouldn’t be great parents,” he added.
Werribee MP Tim Pallas said gender or sexuality had nothing to do with a person’s capacity to be a good parent.
“Equality is not negotiable,” he said. “This bill is about putting the best interests of children first and removing discrimination against same-sex couples and their family.”
