Lesbian couples get 'equal rights' to be named parents

nic0le · 09-03-2009, 08:31 AM

LONDON (AFP) - Lesbian couples having a child through fertility treatment have taken a step to equal rights with heterosexuals, with both partners now able to register their names on the birth certificate.

The change in the law came into effect on September 1 and applies to all lesbian couples in England and Wales who were having fertility treatment after April 5, 2009.

Previously, the mother's female partner was not able to be registered as a parent.

Home Office Minister Lord Brett said the move was a "positive change".

He explained that "for the first time, female couples who have a child using fertility treatment have the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts to be shown as parents in the birth registration."

"It is vital that we afford equality wherever we can in society, especially as family circumstances continue to change," he added.
"This is an important step forward in that process."

Ruth Hunt from gay rights group Stonewall also welcomed the move, telling the BBC that life for lesbian families would be "fairer" and "much easier".

She added: "Now lesbian couples in the UK who make a considered decision to start a loving family will finally be afforded equal access to services they help fund as taxpayers."

But critics have slammed the change in law.

Speaking to the BBC on Monday, Conservative MP Nadine Dorries said the move "undermined the traditional family model."

"If we want to build a stable society, a mother and father and children works as the best model," she said.

The change follows provisions contained in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, which granted lesbian couples equal rights as parents.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/09090...sbian_rights_1

**Cat** · 09-03-2009, 08:49 AM

So does this mean that should the relationship end, one of them will be made to financially help maintain the child as opposed to then chasing down the sperm donor?

nic0le · 09-03-2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat

So does this mean that should the relationship end, one of them will be made to financially help maintain the child as opposed to then chasing down the sperm donor?

yes, it does.

reeve1987 · 09-03-2009, 02:07 PM

yay another step towards the right way!

Johnny<3Akiba · 09-03-2009, 03:56 PM

whats with all this gay talk how about some SHAM-WOW you gotta buy this bitch only $6.99

Luka · 09-03-2009, 08:33 PM

I really don't get the BBC, or the Government's irony.

It's always slated that a child would be better off with two parents; yet when it's women/men --which are two parents-- it's wrong.

So.. if a childhas a single parent, it's deemed wrong, because they should have two.
And when they have two, it's wrong.

Even if it was a man and a woman, they'll always find a criticism to flaunt.

reeve1987 · 09-13-2009, 03:58 PM

to the above post, i couldnt agree more, the bbc and government just cant make up thier mind so they have to critisise every little thing and look for something they can change. but at least this time they changed something for the better. but i dont see why they didnt do the same for ALL same *** couples, so its alright woman only couples being given these rights, but what about men only couples? why arent we granted this right as well?

Insomniac Bunny · 11-09-2009, 06:04 AM

Umm Hello California does the same thing in their domestic partnerships right!!! Does anyone else not read the laws regarding rights of gays and lesbians. I miscarried but when my girl and I were trying to have a baby we read all about it and with our domestic partnership she would be on the birth certificate as MOTHER! I was so excited to read that.

**Laurenn** · 11-09-2009, 06:56 AM

I don't like this. This may sound odd coming from a lesbian but just wait?
Where do gay men stand in all of this? Will they allow this to happen for transsexuals?
If I had the opportunity to do this in Australia and I had a kid.. I wouldn't use this option unless it was equal for all.
idk if anyone else shares my view but that's just what I think.
Yay for one step forward but equality means everyone is equal, not specific people or groups.

Samoshi · 11-09-2009, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurenn

I don't like this. This may sound odd coming from a lesbian but just wait?

Where do gay men stand in all of this? Will they allow this to happen for transsexuals?
If I had the opportunity to do this in Australia and I had a kid.. I wouldn't use this option unless it was equal for all.
idk if anyone else shares my view but that's just what I think.
Yay for one step forward but equality means everyone is equal, not specific people or groups.

Thats what I was thinking.. If It was just given to gay men, I wouldn't stop here;I'd continue to campaign for equality for all.

Seems pointless to give it to one half, and not the other.

its like giving one twin a lollipop, while the other sucks my fat toe.