USA Today's Who's a family? Study finds shifting views of unmarried, gay couples

This article was posted on Thursday afternoon and while strides have been made in the acceptance of non-traditional families, it is disheartening to see that Americans give more status to families with pets than to gay couples.

It reminds me of a book that I'm currently reading, The Help, which is set in the 1960s during the civil rights era and focuses on African American maids. Needless to say, some of the events in the book were heinous, but is was the daily discrimination, the hurts, the slights, that devastated these women.

It strikes me as odd that anyone would say that being homosexual is a choice. Why would anyone choose to be discriminated in this world? It's hard enough without adding that to your life. My 2 cents.

Feel free to comment below!

AFA Responds to Vatican’s Dignitas Personae

Ken Mosesian, the executive director of the American Fertility Association and a practicing Catholic and an openly gay man in a committed relationship has commented about the Vatican’s Dignitas Personae, which was released on December 8, 2008, and is the Vatican’s newest “Instruction on Bioethics,” which includes IVF, surrogacy and egg donation.

While the Vatican is against using these technologies and treatments to create a child, Ken cautions that all life should be treated with dignity and that all people should treat the children created using these techniques with dignity and respect. As a mother of twins created with IVF and surrogacy, I applaud his approach and agree with it completely.

I would be horrified to be sitting in church and have a pastor or priest make my children feel “less” because of how they were created. My children are dearly, dearly loved and they know that. But, at Ken’s urging, I will have a discussion with them and continue to have talks with them on how some people could be deeply offended at their creation.

I will also help them understand and instill in them respect for human life and dignity for all. Like Ken, I was raised Catholic and I have been debating whether to return to the Catholic church and my hesitation has been because I disagree with many of their teachings; however, as Ken pointed out, complete agreement is not necessary to be a faithful member of any church.

The Vatican’s newest Instruction on Bioethics, is available on the web site of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Men Having Babies: Single Hollywood Power Gays

According to www.radaronline.com, the newest Hollywood accessory is the "Gaybie" as more gay single men are having children. While I do not like labeling children, I applaud men who have a strong desire to have a child and are not in a committed relationship. And like the article states, the men are coming to California where surrogacy is legal for gay or straight single men. Unlike Clay Aiken, who had a willing friend help him have his child, most men will need a surrogate and egg donor, which is expensive. But, like the article states, these men have the means -- and the desire to create a family.

Please find the complete article here: http://radaronline.com/features/2008/09/clay_aiken_ricky_martin_surrogate_mothers_babies_gaybies.php

Circle Surrogacy to Host Surrogacy Seminar for Swedish Couples

I recently had the pleasure of meeting John Weltman, President of Circle Surrogacy, at the American Fertility Association's Families Matter meeting held in San Fransisco and I found him to be knowledgeable and caring, as well as an entertaining and informative speaker. I think what he is doing will help many couples who cannot have a child through surrogacy in their country due to the restrictive laws.

And I too have found an increase in international couples to both my law practice and agency, Extraordinary Conceptions. I think the weak economy in the U.S. does have something to do with it, but whose to say if that is the only reason why international couples are coming to the U.S. for surrogacy and egg donation now.

Perhaps the recent Newsweek article portraying surrogates in a positive light has something to do with the increase of international couples. It really is hard to say.

The laws in California have not changed in over 20 years and are still extremely favorable to all couples and individuals, whether you are gay or straight, married or single, so I can't say the law is a factor.

You can read the complete press release here.