New rights for lesbian mums
September 1st, 2009
From today (1 September 2009) lesbian couples who have children through fertility treatment can name both women as parents on the child’s birth certificate.
Female couples not in a civil partnership but receiving fertility treatment may also be registered as parents in the same way as unmarried heterosexual couples.
The change in the law applies to couples in England and Wales beginning fertility treatment on or after 6 April 2009.
“This positive change means 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,” said Home Office Minister Lord Brett.
“It is vital that we afford equality wherever we can in society, especially as family circumstances continue to change. This is an important step forward in that process.”
Stonewall’s Head of Policy and Research Ruth Hunt added: “As the law improves to provide further equality, knowing your new rights will help people make full use of the services they’re entitled to. And, if discrimination occurs, the same knowledge can help them demand fair treatment.
“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.
“So life for lesbian families isn’t only fairer – it’s also much easier.”
728 lesbians underwent IVF treatment in the UK between 1999 and 2006, according to The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
This is such a positive step forward :)
dawny ∼ September 23rd, 2009 6:55 pm