Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 01/02) - Four regular MLAs voted against introducing changes that would allow same sex couples to adopt.

North Slave's Leon Lafferty, Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Floyd Roland and Mackenzie Delta representative David Krutko voted against first reading of the amendments that would change the definition of spouse to include people of the same sex.

Lafferty said he believes same sex adoption is not in the best interests of children.

"They're going to grow up in an atmosphere where other children will tease them, where other children will look at them because of their parents. You are judged by your parents."

Though it did not survive a vote in the last assembly, with the support of all Yellowknife regular MLAs and cabinet , the bill is likely to become law this time.

As he did during the 13th assembly, Roland said he personally disagrees with the change and so do many of his constituents.

Roland said gay couples' right to adopt is not as clear-cut as some believe.