parentage

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) at the signing of the Massachusetts Parentage Act, August 12, 2024. Screenshot from Mass.gov video.

LGBTQ Families and Advocates Celebrate Signing of Massachusetts Parentage Act

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) has signed legislation updating the state’s parentage laws to be more equitable for LGBTQ parents and their children, families formed via assisted reproduction, and those with de facto or functional parents. “It’s a great, great day as we celebrate full parental equality,” she said at the signing ceremony Monday.

Outline of Massachusetts with child and parent's hands

Massachusetts Parentage Act Unanimously Passes House

The Massachusetts House unanimously passed critical legislation yesterday that would update the state’s parentage laws to better protect the children of LGBTQ parents and others regardless of the circumstances of their birth. Representatives spoke of how current laws shockingly fall short and urged passage of the bill for both personal and societal reasons.

Rainbow fabric with hearts

Parenting, Progress, and Pride

As we head into Pride Month, I am moved once again to ponder all that I am proud of. My son tops the list, as always—but I am also proud of how we LGBTQ families and our allies have been able to keep pushing towards equality, despite an unprecedented amount of anti-LGBTQ legislation and rhetoric right now.

Baby feet

Addressing the Urgent Need for Parentage Reform to Protect All Children

All children gain security and benefits from legal ties to their parents. Yet children with LGBTQ parents, and those born through assisted reproduction, lack clear and simple ways to establish legal parentage in many states. Two key advocates in Michigan’s successful recent effort to make parentage laws more equitable and inclusive shared advice with me that they hope will help other states do the same.

North Carolina seal and gavel

North Carolina Ruling Shows the Price of Outdated Parentage Laws

A North Carolina Appeals Court has ruled that a nonbiological mother, despite sharing custody of the child she and her former partner had via IVF, does not owe child support because she is not a legal parent and did not agree in writing to provide support.

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