FRESH from their defeat in the Duke Amachree case, the Christian Legal Centre is preparing legal action in defence of a pair of Blackburn bigots who were told by Lancashire Council that their homophobia precluded them from fostering kids.
John and Collette Yallop
John and Collette Yallop had their application to be foster parents terminated by the Council after saying they did not want gay couples who were considering adopting to meet them in their own home.
The Yallops proposed that any meetings with prospective gay adoptive parents should take place instead at a children’s centre, as they were fearful of the effect gays might have on their young son and daughter.
What? Like the Yallops junior turning their home into a fairyland of rainbow banners, Ikea lamps and the soundtracks of all the world’s greatest musicals? Would little miss Yallop refuse to wear anything but dungarees and Doc Martins? Would little master Yallop develop a fascination for mascara, slingbacks and lads with bulging great lallies?
Mr Yallop, 62, said:
We are not homophobic and have worked alongside gay people, but we believe inviting gay couples into our home for the handover process might be detrimental to our family life and our young children.
We don’t want to have to explain to our five-year-old daughter or seven-year-old son why a youngster we’ve been caring for has two mummies or daddies.
He added:
We accept council policies on equality and diversity. Even if we disagree with the rights of gay couples to adopt because it goes against our Christian beliefs, it doesn’t make us bad foster parents. I suspect we’re not alone in believing children thrive where there is a mummy and a daddy, rather than two parents of the same sex. Nevertheless, this is a personal belief that doesn’t affect our ability to care for and love a foster child.
Ma Yallop, 43, said they told a social worker assessing them that they would happily have a single gay person or one partner of a gay couple as prospective parents in their home, or hand over a foster child at a centre.
This was something our social worker suggested we put in writing to the council. Then she said our application was being refused because of our views. We were shocked and upset.
Andrea Minichiello Williams (click on pic to learn more about this frightful zealot)
The CLC said it appeared that the Yallops:
Had been discriminated against due to their Christian belief that marriage is between a man and a woman and that children do best when they have a mother and a father.
Andrea Minichiello Williams, Director of the Christian Legal Centre, commented:
We will be supporting John and Colette Yallop in legal action. It is vital that as Christians we are allowed to live out our faith in public and not be eliminated from this kind of vital community work due to oppressive equalities legislation.
Christian beliefs on marriage and the family produce wonderful, vibrant communities and we need to have the confidence to speak about this and live out our faith.
But a Council spokesman insisted:
People who wish to foster must be open to working alongside all approved adopters – including gay and lesbian couples.
Notably absent from the CLC’s blather about the sanctity and beauty of heterosexual marriage is the fact that John Yallop was forced to resign his post as a Church of England vicar after committing adultery while married to his first wife.
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
August 14th, 2010 at 8:46 am
Does the CLC ever win a case? Who’s money do they wastes on these appeals?
R
August 14th, 2010 at 9:16 am
“We are not [racists] and have worked alongside [black] people, but we believe inviting [black couples] into our home for the handover process might be detrimental to our family life and our young children”.
Not very different is it?
August 14th, 2010 at 9:20 am
Here we go again.
The law does not allow the views of religiots to override secular egalitarianism. Unfortunately the CLC managed to intimidate Derby City Council when they refused adoption to a queer-bashing xian couple:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C.....gal_Centre
They threatened to apply for a judicial rewiew of the law but I suspect the council’s U-turn was more to do with saving taxpayers money. Given this precedent, they may succeed in the Yallop’s case.
The CLC was founded in 2007 and seem to be funded by donations. That can’t be the whole story. I see from Barry’s link Andrea Minichiello Williams’ hubby makes a good living and could easily afford his wife’s bigoted hobby.
August 14th, 2010 at 9:26 am
I was going to make the same point as Angela K. ‘We are not homophobic’ but…. I’d like to know what their definition of homophobic is if they don’t think they are.
August 14th, 2010 at 9:37 am
I would be interested to see them try to justify these supposedly “Christian” beliefs using the New Testament. I rather doubt that Jesus or Paul had that much to say about the subject of adoption.
Interesting that they have a problem in explaining even the simplest of real world facts, that some people are gay and that’s just the way it is, to a five and seven year old. Those questions are going to get slightly more difficult in the future.
August 14th, 2010 at 10:00 am
How about adoption agencies start refusing to place children with Christianists? It’s not that we’re bigoted, see, it’s just that we think children deserve parents who live in the 21st century and don’t have imaginary friends.
August 14th, 2010 at 10:22 am
From it’s quite clear how this woman thinks.
August 14th, 2010 at 10:38 am
I suspect we’re not alone in believing children thrive where there is a mummy and a daddy, rather than two parents of the same sex.
Quite correct – they are not alone in believing that, but that doesn’t make it true!
August 14th, 2010 at 11:00 am
We don’t want to have to explain to our five-year-old daughter or seven-year-old son why a youngster we’ve been caring for has two mummies or daddies.
Why on earth not? This sounds like the script for a new Catherine Tate segment. “Fred and Laura Bigot”!
August 14th, 2010 at 11:20 am
So these two cunts don’t want to explain matters to their kiddies… and the ideal way of ensuring not a word leaks out is to parade themselves in the media and spew their hatred in court?
August 14th, 2010 at 11:55 am
The only explaining I see, is this couple having to explain to their kids why gays and lesbians can be quite like ‘normal’ people, after having filled their little heads with their homophobic nonsense. The younger you are, the less likely you’ll be prejudiced; we usually get that from our caring environment, making us end like bigots.
August 14th, 2010 at 11:57 am
Am I wrong in thinking that Williams and her group are bankrolled by fundies in the USA? I don’t see there being enough support in the UK population for this kind of group, suing at the drop of a hat. If it’s the case, the UK is being viewed as a missionary territory and there will be all kinds of cash to promote this kind of american-style bigotry in action. I may be wrong but I don’t think so. These people have deep pockets and will try, try, try again until they win something. Some fascist takeovers are not by putsch but by incremental action over a long period of time. It’s easier for them to operate in the UK because you guys don’t have any constitutional protection from this evil.
August 14th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Kids are more astute than many give them credit for, BarrieJohn. Example – at the height of Brighton’s hugely successful Gay Pride event last weekend, a heterosexual couple popped into the store where I work. They had to leave their three young offspring outside, because of the adult nature of the shop. I was outside, having a quick smoke break – yeah, I know, just don’t lecture me – and they asked whether I would keep an eye on the kids.
The following conversation then took place – older boy, aged about seven “Why aren’t we allowed in?”
Younger boy, aged about five – “Well, duh, Darren, cos it’s a shop for gay men and lesbians”. Then to me – “are you a gay man?”
When I said yes, he replied “I think that’s so cool”.
Of course, these kids might have been the rare beneficiaries of a progressive upbringing, but I like to think that there are many more like them out there.
August 14th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Translation We are carefully shielding our children from reality so that when they finally leave home, the world as it actually is will be so alien they will retreat to the comfort of our carefully constructed edifice of bigotry and lies.
August 14th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Minichiello Williams and Sarah Palin.
Two xian b’tards:
http://a.imageshack.us/img530/.....lliams.jpg
August 14th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Looks like pissholes in the snow. Wonder what the bible says about make-up, hair dye and mutton dressed as lamb.
The couple look normal, shame the mental processes aren’t. Let’s hope the Council will have the gumption to fight this. It really surprises me that the EHRC don’t step in on these issues but considering who is in charge there it’s no surprise, really.
August 14th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
The first thing Andrea said when she telephoned me last October was “Are you a homosexual?” I had not intended to upset her but having known her at school only wanted a dialogue. She said email was inappropriate. Unfortunately Andrea was too busy to meet, when I went to London, so I never did find out what she meant by “It wasn’t my decision” and “I am one of the worse sinners”. The only communication I received was a letter asking for more money to support CLC. Surely it should be what is in the interest of the children that are paramount. Hopefully all parties will bear this in mind and maybe money spent on their needs and not solicitors.
August 14th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Barry, my friend recalled a story about going to an adult shop when her daughter was like three or four. Long story short she was running around with a big balloon that was shaped like a person wanting her to buy it. Kids aren’t total blank slates but they only get prejudice from others. I think the trick is to allow them to pass themselves in life among kids already injected with warped mindsets, but its really hard not to send a child to school with a head full of the crazies about gods and assholish conventions if you’re working class. Reminds me of Larkins “This be the verse”. Sad reality when you can’t choose your community and know you’re bullshitting kids just so they don’t get excluded, especially in the states.
August 14th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
Also notably absent from the CLC’s squawking is Mr Yallop’s time spent in prison for theft.
I can’t quite get my head around this case. The Yallops told the press last week that they were happy all along to help prospective gay parents in the future which would have seemed refreshing from Christians… and yet at the same time, they won’t have these approved same-sex couples under their own roof because it could cause their kids confusion. So do they think gay people and young children can mix or not?
August 14th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Wonder what the bible says about make-up, hair dye and mutton dressed as lamb.
Well, we all know the answer to that one, don’t we Angie (and don’t forget the prominent jewellery as well), but the elegantly coiffed Ms Mini Cello would probably say that, unlike the prohibitions on homosexuality, those particular verses are obviously not applicable in this day and age!
Not everyone would agree with her, however:
http://www.gotquestions.org/women-makeup.html
August 14th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Am I wrong in thinking that Williams and her group are bankrolled by fundies in the USA?
I’m not sure about that, Sailor, as they are always soliciting funds (see earlier threads on this blog), but a lot of ideas and support come from across the pond.
This is almost unbelievable, but then we know all about NARTH as well, don’t we?
http://www.christianlegalcentre.com/view.php?id=26
August 14th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Hey – palin and williams – that would make a great pairing on “ultimate surrender”
) Or again, is it just me…
(deffo NSFW if you google it btw!)
(nor indeed are any of my books)
August 14th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Wow, she’s in trouble then, Barry. Spending too much time on her looks, (yeah, I know, but it is possible) and being mean hearted.
August 15th, 2010 at 6:08 am
Hah! “Oppressive equalities legislation”. Oh, I’m SO SORRY that it’s oppressive to you that all people are equals and deserve equal rights. It must be SO difficult to you to accept that fact. Pfft.
August 15th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
@Stuart W
If Mr Yallop did time for any crime he shouldn’t adaopt. Our lenient judicial system keeps you out of jail unless you’re a VERY naughty boy.
I spent three years flogging insurance. One of the qualifying questions was, “Have you any convictions for arson, fraud or theft?”
If he’s not good enough for an insurer then he can’t be trusted with the care of a child.
My earlier post about CLC success in this case may be wrong. I hope they’ve mounted a donkey here….
August 15th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Last year I made a comment about Andea’s looks which I deeply regret and very sorry and wrote to tell her so. Andrea had breast cancer and courageously she has weathered this. My anxiety is that CLC always seems on a narrow mission. You never hear cases exposing bad Christian practice. You never hear cases about corrupt minister being exposed. You never hear cases about making the Church accountable. Instead it’s the same limited agenda. Andrea’s skills could have been so better used as a champion of human rights and her charismatic character channelled constructively. Unfortunately I think the holder of the purse in America ultimately decides CLC direction.
August 15th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Grumpybob, Sailor1031 and Barriejohn. Williams is bankrolled at least partly by her husband who is a CEO. As she explains here, his dosh has given her much ‘financial freedom’ to get stuck into her saintly projects, such as running counter campaigns to the ‘devastating impact’ of Civil Partnerships.
http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=50606
August 15th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Just for you Stargraves, the next time I post a pic of our favourite Christian dominatrix, I’ll have her in leather. With a whip. And maybe some chains. After all, that’s what Photoshop is for.
Well? Was Photoshop shut then?
August 15th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Aye barriejohn – I was disappointed too. I think BarryD must have found my artwork online and thought he’d tease me a bit. No fair!
August 15th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Andrea was quite stunning at Weymouth Grammar School and I fancied her like most of the boys. She had a very charismatic character and was always inclusive, considerate and generous. I guess she has stuck by her beliefs which is more than some of the more pathetic religious leaders. Even if I don’t share her views, she nonetheless, has the guts to stand for what she believes.
August 16th, 2010 at 12:45 am
J: That’s the whole problem with so many religiots – if it weren’t for their barmy beliefs they’d be such nice people!
August 16th, 2010 at 11:08 am
So much for absolute morality….
August 16th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
BJ In quantum physics two atoms can appear in two separate places at the same told – so I’m told (balmy?). Like any theory, the idea should be interigated, tested and scrutinized. From my experience of religion I’ve concluded it is a scam, but Andrea has the freedom to put forward her ideas as we have to question them, that’s what make living in a democracy so brilliant.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
J: If she are a decent person, religion won’t make you any better. If you catch the religious bug what it may do is mess your head and make you much worse. It is a disease of the mind, a curse on humanity and preys on the most vulnerable. But then, you knew that already.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
I think on this occasion I would have sympathy with the case. The couple support equality and diversity. Because their belief system is Christian they have come into conflict with a secular process of adoption. They have every right to hold such a views, even if I don’t share them, I’ll support their right to uphold them on the basis of what I’ve read.
August 16th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
J – They have the right to hold any views they want. Freedoms of thought, speech, and religion are some of the many benefits of living in a secular country. However, I must say that just because these people may feel they have the right to indoctrinate young children with their trollop, it’s not exactly so. Unfortunately, we can’t force them to give up their own children, but why should they be allowed to deprive foster kids from potentially good, loving homes just because of their stupidity and superstition? I know, it’s a hard argument because in order to prevent the mind abuse, you would deny the children a foster home. I guess maybe it would be good for more gay couples to sign up as foster parents? I don’t have the answers here, but the questions definitely need discussion, and it seems like this CLC is hell-bent on preventing the question getting out.
August 16th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Yes I agree, I found it impossible to enter a conversation with CLC and only when I resorted to a personal comment did a response occur. Thank goodness we live in a democracy and not a theocracy. Foster children need all the help they can get and I’m sure there’re some outstanding same sex couples. My advise to the Yallops would be to use the opportunity to inform their children of the different types of loving relationships there can be.
August 18th, 2010 at 11:07 am
J: I meant what I said. I was a fundamentalist Christian for years, and most of them are – deep down – kind, compassionate, caring people who only want the best for others. Sadly, their beliefs get in the way of this. Being naturally an easy going, liberal person, I, like many others, had to wrestle with the problem of following the outdated, illiberal, authoritarian teachings of the Bible. In the end, and with much relief, I gave up the struggle, but for millions of Christians worldwide it goes on day after day.