Use of donor sperm by lesbian couples increased significantly after gay marriage was legalized in the province of Ontario, Canada, a new study finds.
Tag: gay marriage
In gay marriage case, justices focus and trade laughs on fertility question
In Tuesday’s oral arguments over whether California’s ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional, a few of the liberal Supreme Court justices took aim at one of the central arguments made by gay marriage opponents: that the ability to naturally procreate is key to the definition of marriage.
Charles Cooper, the attorney representing proponents of California’s Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage, argued that allowing same-sex nuptials would fundamentally change the definition of marriage for the worse.
“The concern is that redefining marriage as a genderless institution will sever its abiding connection to its historic traditional procreative purposes, and it will refocus the purpose of marriage and the definition of marriage away from the raising of children and to the emotional needs and desires of adults,” Cooper said.
Justice Elena Kagan, an appointee of President Barack Obama, pressed Cooper on that argument, asking him why then the government could not bar couples who are both over the age of 55 from marrying, on the assumption that they are infertile. Read full article.
Who’s the Mother in Kansas?
Angie Bauer and Jennifer Schreiner had been together for eight years. They had raised several adopted and foster kids. But they wanted a baby of their own. They tried a sperm bank, but their doctor, according to Bauer, refused to sign a document saying they were fit to raise a child. So they posted an ad on Craigslist.
William Marotta, a fellow foster parent, answered the ad. He and his wife exchanged emails with the couple and visited their home. He wanted to be sure that the child would be well cared for. In March 2009, he donated his sperm, waived compensation, and signed a contract renouncing parental rights and responsibilities. Schreiner carried the pregnancy. Nine months later, she and Bauer had their baby girl. Read full article.