Surely an Equality Act is not about 'promoting' anything other than equality. Can we imagine the headline: Race row foster parents win right not to 'promote' Chineseness?

Rob, Reading, UK

Noticable that most of the comments condeming the parents for their right to choose how to live their lives and defend what they believe in have come from across the Atlantic - suggest you keep them there.

George, glasgow, uk

This couple does not deserve to be foster parents. The damage they have inflicted on an innocent 11 year old boy just so they could make a selfish, radical "christian" statement. Try telling the boy it had nothing to do with him but the stupidity of self-righteous foster parants.
At 50 I still am dealing with the residuals of being passed around the foster system. They have proven beyond a doubt, that they and maybe all Christians are unfit to foster any children.

Kevin Hatt, Ottawa, Canada

What isn't clear from this news is what would be most likely to happen - if, say, three years from now, their foster son at age fourteen realizes he is gay, and continues in placement with them. Regardless of their own conscientious views as these might apply to them leading their own daily lives, the question is still rather up in the air as to just how, exactly, they would continue to care and be fair to such a gay youth. Their freedom of conscience is, then, not exactly at the real center of the real existential dilemma; rather what is at the center maybe, is the conflict between a conscientious duty of fairness and care (irrespective of sexual orientation) as foster parents and their particular negative trash talk beliefs, mainly about queer folks as neighbors and as citizens.

It is that profound conflict which cannot easily be resolved, either by simple appeals to traditional religious belief systems, or by simple civil society. As foster parents they act on behalf of all.

Daniel F, California, USA

This couple made much ado about nothing. No one ever asked them to ``promote `` homosexuality even though some of the media parroted their use of that phrase.
They had been asked whether they would be willing to let a child visit a gay bio parent and partner and whether they would let a gay teen meet with other gay teen, and their answers had indicated their home would not be a welcoming olace for a gay youth or a youth with a gay bio oarent

GregV, Canada,

If people want to be foster parents they must not discriminate against homosexuals or other minorities.

If a foster child declares that he/she is a homosexual and wants to attend some homosexual events or support groups then the foster parents must provide a way for the child to attend.

Even if the child is not a homosexual but has a friend that is and wants to attend some event or show support for his/her friend then they should be allowed to do so.

The foster parents must not attempt to "change" the child and should not be allowed to take the child to places that claim homosexuality is wrong.

If this couple's superstitious beliefs prevent them from doing their secular duties then they should not be foster parents.

Monty, Phoenix, AZ, USA

The bigots get there way..............

Dave North, Bridgend, Wales