gay marriage

First, let's start out with a moment of silence for all of the people of Haiti. Please make donations via www.whitehouse.gov.

TGIF! Now, let's start out with our updates:

1.New York - Abortion foes are challenging the payment of $10K to egg donors for use in research by the NY Stem Cell Board. Interestingly enough, no donor has donated through this program. The Board argues that the case lacks merit; however, the group believes that the offer of money for the donation of eggs exploits women. What do you think? The Board also argues as follows:

Good morning....wanted to update everyone on the televised proceeding for Prop 8 here as follows: http://www.equalrightsfoundation.org/live-updates/

In addition, a surprising admission by a Utah lawmaker. She is carrying a child for a gay couple as a traditional surrogate.

"Rep. Christine Johnson will serve an additional role when the Utah Legislature convenes this month. The lesbian lawmaker announced she's a surrogate mother, carrying a baby for two gay men.

Hello, I am finally back after a long trip away in Europe. And, just in time since it appears the vote on Sotomayor will happen today. I wanted to reiterate my previous post regarding how she may or may not vote in this area of Assisted Reproduction. See previous post at http://www.surrogacyissuesblog.com/2009/07/23.

I hate to beat up on a tired and worn horse, but I want to reiterate what I hear clients telling me all of the time - it should be their own personal decision on whether to pursue adoption in the first place or as a last resort. My clients are tired of being judged and criticized when "there are so many children out there to be adopted." Whether that is true or not, we cannot decide what is the best family building choice for anyone else. And, we should not be judgmental. Just be supportive.

Can you believe that it is Friday already? TGIF! Some new developments on the legal landcape regarding IVF, adoption, sperm, equality, etc. There is also a link to updates on Surrogenesis for those interested in keeping updated.

Vermont – Vermont legalizes Gay marriage after voting to override the Governor’s veto, making it the first state to do so through legislation... http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/04/07/vermont-gov-douglas-vetoes-ga...

Gay DC Today published a great article last week stating that gay marriages won't hurt kids, which we all already knew.

"Vermont’s leading mental health and human service organizations joined in support of gay marriage Monday.

Lambda Legal, Empire State Pride Agenda, New York Civil Liberties Union and the American Civil Liberties Union have released a guide outlining government protections and obligations for same-sex couples in New York who married out of state. The updated guide is released as the first anniversary of Martinez v. County of Monroe draws near, and in light of last week’s decision in Lewis v. New York State Dept. of Civil Service — both notable appellate court rulings that upheld government recognition of out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples.