Peers rally against Bill allowing gays to adopt

A coalition of peers said yesterday they were on course to overturn government plans to allow gays, lesbians and unmarried couples to adopt children.

The cross-party group, led by the Conservative Baroness O'Cathain, said it would attempt to limit adoption to married couples when the House of Lords votes on the Adoption and Children Bill tomorrow.

Lady O'Cathain, who was asked to lead the fight against the Bill by the family values campaigner Baroness Young only hours before her death from cancer last month, said the measure faced huge opposition. "I'm not gay bashing. I am pro-children," she said. "My gay friends all tell me they agree with what I am doing."

Peers, who started debate on the Bill yesterday, are expected to have a free vote.