September 14, 2009

Sir Elton John Denied Request to Adopt HIV-Positive Ukrainian Child

A Ukrainian official has denied Sir Elton John’s request to adopt a 14-month-old HIV-positive Ukrainian boy, saying the 62-year-old pop superstar is too old and is not married, The Associated Press reports.

According to the article, John said that he and his partner David Furnish wanted to adopt the boy, named Lev, after a visit to an orphanage. However, since Ukraine requires parents looking to adopt to be married and does not recognize same-sex unions as marriage, Family Youth and Sports Minister Yuriy Pavlenko denied the request.

Pavlenko also said that John is too old to adopt; Ukrainian law requires an adoptive parent to be no more than 45 years older than the child.

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Previous Comments:

Denise, Chicago, 2009-09-17 16:01:24
The refusal to allow Elton to and his partner to adopt was not in the best interest of the child. Elton and his partner would have been able to provide this child with the best health care, education, etc. I have never seen anything in the media indicating that they would make worse parents than Madonna, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

Amador, Salt lake City, 2009-09-17 10:39:18
For one that is that countries right to make whatever requirements it wants. Now on the other hand the child in my opinon would be well taken care of by Sir John and his partner. Even if Sir John does not get to live long enough to see the child grow to hood, the child will never the less be in a much better position in life.

susan, , 2009-09-16 13:11:42
Sir John I am so sorry for your disappointment. You and your husband would be loving, caring, devoted parents. I can't believe the Ministry would prefer to have a baby raised in an institution! BELIEVE = there will be a way to complete your family with a child. God Bless

Savannah Montgomery, New York, 2009-09-15 19:55:42
Puhleeze...this is just a publicity stunt. Jumping on the celebrity "baby as accessory bandwagon"...Elton knew he'd be turned down as he "although he doesn't 'know' what the rules are" as he said in the interview/press conference.

Bryan, , 2009-09-15 18:12:42
Do you think we should be surprised? It's better to have NOTHING than to be with a gay man.

Madonna Complex, , 2009-09-15 12:38:06
oh please, if Elton John cared so much about disadvantaged children (HIV nothwithstanding), then why doesn't he adopt a child from the UK, within his OWN country? there are lots to choose from, i'm sure. this is just a shameless publicity stunt. 'Sir Elton' knew full well that he would be turned down by Ukraine officials. PHEW, thank god they said NO! that's what he saying to himself as we speak. meanwhile, the Rocket Man basks in sympathy & admiration. pfft, we are not amused, Reginald.

Rae Murphy, Menomonee Falls, WI, 2009-09-15 12:37:53
Sir Elton John is a perfect candidate for adopting any child, especially one with special needs being stuck with this disease at such a young age! He should sue from our American Courts for discrimination and take it to the Supreme Court if necessary. I really think he could WIN. Go for it Sir Elton John...and sing that baby to sleep at night!!

lynn, Missouri, 2009-09-15 12:37:27
what a bunch of morons. 1. you have someone willing to care for a 14 year old that otherwise won't be adopted. 2. He can afford to care for him. 3. He has a partner to assist. It is the same stupid backwards mentality that wants to send us all to lepar colonies.

sean, victorville, 2009-09-15 12:29:08
this is a total shame

jlong03157, , 2009-09-15 12:26:04
AWW, I feel sorry for the young boy....Here, Im sure, a very very understanding couple, wanting this young child inflicted with this deadly illness, and they cant adopt. I thought it was supposed to be about love, not age or gender, but laws are laws. My blessings to both, child and couple.

Dyana Bartley, East Orange, NJ, 2009-09-15 11:55:47
I find this to be outrageous. With so many children needing love and parents they can call their own, it should not matter what persuasion the person is, as long as the child is being taken care of, and given the love they so desperately need. I commend Sir Elton for wanting to do what so many others in this world refuse do to. We all need love...

Mike, Dartmouth, 2009-09-15 11:30:56
No surprise that this backward thinking Ukrainian government l would reject Sir Elton John's and his partner's application to adopt the HIV positive boy, Lev. This homophobic administration does not deserve any assistance from Canada in protest of their backward thinking administration.

bernita otte, park hills, 2009-09-15 09:32:21
if madonna can get kids at her age. WHY NOT MR. E.JOHN?.it seems like he is more deserving of one.who cares if he is gay.madonna seems to go both ways.