CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The Malawi welfare official overseeing Madonna's efforts to adopt an African toddler says he will make a long-awaited trip to the singer's London home next week to assess her suitability as an adoptive parent.
Director Penston Kilembe canceled a visit in May, the first of two court-ordered trips to check on the adoption process. Newspaper reports have spoken of an internal ministry dispute over the possibility that Madonna paid his expenses for the trip.
Kilembe told AP Television News outside United Nations headquarters Wednesday that the financing was always meant to be shared between the prospective adoptive family and the Malawi government.
''This is a fifty-fifty; the government contributes and they also have to do that if they are so willing,'' said Kilembe.
''But you have to remember that our budget on children's issues is very, very small, so we may not be able to afford that one.... It's in the best interest of the child that she does support, as a way of complementing government efforts,'' he said.
Madonna spokeswoman Liz Rozenberg told the Associated Press she would issue a statement from the singer later in the day, but there was no response by the end of business hours.
Malawian law doesn't cover all aspects of foreign adoptions. Regulations only stipulate that prospective parents undergo an 18- to 24-month assessment period in Malawi, a rule that was bent when Madonna and her husband, film producer Guy Ritchie, were allowed to take David Banda, then 14 months old, home last October.
Malawian rights organizations have said their government needs help monitoring Madonna's planned adoption of the Malawian boy, and the financial issues Kilembe raises would appear to lend support to that argument.
David had been placed in the orphanage where Madonna found him after his mother died following his birth. David's father is still living.
Child welfare officials are expected to file a report on the suitability of Madonna and Ritchie as adoptive parents after two trips, originally planned for May and December, to their London residence.
Kilembe said he planned to travel on September 4 or 5 to check on David's general well-being and how he has bonded with Madonna's family. The singer has two other children: Lourdes, 9, and Rocco, 6. (AP)
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Joe Biden admin marks Earth Day with major environmental initiatives
April 22 2024 4:18 PM
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott: 'We want to end' trans and gender nonconforming teachers
April 22 2024 4:13 PM
Nonbinary 17-year-old killed two years after being reported missing
April 22 2024 3:46 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedIndulge in luxury and sensuality with The Pride Store’s Taurus gift guide
April 22 2024 11:46 AM
The gay man leading the Earth Day Initiative offers hope for the future
April 22 2024 9:00 AM
Pattie Gonia takes drag and fierceness to Capitol Hill to voice environmental concerns
April 22 2024 8:23 AM
Jodie Foster leaves her mark in cement at L.A.'s Chinese Theatre
April 22 2024 7:55 AM
Climate change has a bigger impact on LGBTQ+ couples than straight couples. Here's how
April 22 2024 7:42 AM
Iraq postpones vote on bill punishing gay sex with death
April 20 2024 1:31 PM
Russian poetry contest bans entries from transgender poets
April 20 2024 1:25 PM
Here's who won 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 16
April 20 2024 1:01 PM
The Tip Off: A beginners guide to the WNBA
April 20 2024 11:06 AM
John Fetterman challenges Pa. school board’s cancellation of talk by gay actor
April 19 2024 2:39 PM
New study finds inadequate response to mpox outbreak
April 19 2024 2:06 PM