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Lesbians will now have better access to IVF treatment in the UK, as last night the House of Commons voted by 355 to 129 to pass the new Human Fertilisation & Embryology Bill.

There will be one final debate in the House of Lords, expected next week. However, it will be almost impossible for peers to amend the key parts of the Bill affecting access to fertility clinics.

The Bill will mean that doctors will no longer be forced to consider the need for a father when approving IVF or assisted conception treatments for lesbian couples or single women.

“We’ve always thought it scandalous that lesbian couples could lawfully be excluded from the safety of NHS clinics, for which we all pay,” said Ben Summerskill, Stonewall Chief Executive. “Often they’ve been forced to use unregulated backstreet services instead.

“We’re hugely grateful to everyone who has supported us over this issue. We’ve always remained calmly determined to present the credible scientific evidence that children in lesbian and gay families develop in exactly the same social and intellectual way as any others.

“But this latest step forward for our communities is an important reminder that lesbian and gay families are every bit as loving and tender, and magical, as any other. It will bring a lot of happiness to countless thousands of couples.”

Posted in: Campaigns & Politics, Health |