Legal ruling in Israel will allow gay man to adopt partner’s child

A breakthrough legal ruling in the Jerusalem Family Court will pave the way for gays to officially adopt their partner’s or spouse’s child.

“This is a big step for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community in Israel,” commented one community leader.

In this precedent-setting case, the child in question was born two years go to a man via a surrogate mother in India. About a year ago, the father asked to allow his partner to adopt the child. The two men went through the standard adoption process – including a review from a social worker, who assessed the partner to be a fit parent and submitted a positive recommendation to the Jerusalem Family Court.

The court battle was lead by lawyer Irit Rosenblum, executive director of New Family, an organization that champions the rights of Israelis to marry and build families outside the traditional system.