JEFF Kennett has shifted his stance on gay parenting in an apparent bid to mollify the gay and lesbian community.

In a pre-recorded interview to be played on gay and lesbian radio station Joy FM today, the former premier reverses his stance articulated in a Herald Sun column last month, which said: ''Clearly the best environment in which to bring a child into the world is a stable, loving environment in which a male and female are married to each other.''

Former premier Jeff Kennett. Credit:Angela Wylie

In a change of heart, Mr Kennett, the chairman of the national depression initiative beyondblue, tells Joy FM president David McCarthy: ''The most important thing is a loving relationship and I don't care what that loving relationship is, right? I really don't care whether it is a loving relationship between a male and female, be it between two men, two women, be it a single parent, right? A loving relationship is by far the best.''

Mr McCarthy told The Age Mr Kennett's views had been misinterpreted. ''I believe what he said today face-to-face was sincere and I accept that.''