By Carrie Baker

BRUSSELS, April 22, 2006 – In an historic decision, the Belgian Parliament voted Thursday to give gay couples the ability to adopt. The senate narrowly approved the proposal at a vote of 34-33. Up until this point, only heterosexuals were given the right to adopt. Belgium now becomes one of four countries that bestow equal adoption rights on gay couples. The other countries are Spain, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

Mieke Stessens of the Belgian Federation of Gays says, “It’s a memorable day for the children of gays. Finally they earn the right of a worthy legal link with both their parents.”