NY Times Article on Gay Parenting

The New York Times reported today that gay parenting is more common in the south, especially in states such as Florida, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. This is census data rather than legal trends. Read the full article here.

Maybe Baby? Part 2 is Tomorrow Night and it's FREE

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2010

Is Donor Insemination For You?

Discussion Topics:
* How the Insemination Process Works
* Summary of the Steps to Beginning the Insemination Journey
* Review of the Current Fertility Statistics
* Holistic and Traditional Options for Increasing Fertility
* How OUR Program Optimizes YOUR Chances of Success

SESSION TIME: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
LOCATION: 1924 Cliff Valley Way, Atlanta, GA 30329

FOR MORE INFORMATION, Contact Gail:
gailp@feministcenter.org
404-929-1738

MEGA Family Conference - October 2, 2010

The MEGA Family Project is proud to announce the second Annual MEGA Family Conference after a very successful first conference! This conference is the only of its kind in the Southeast, and will be a great opportunity for LGBT parents, couples, prospective parents, families, their children, friends, educators and community members to come together to discuss LGBT family issues.

The 2nd Annual MEGA Family Conference will host multiple topics that attendees can choose from. Each conference hour attendees will have the option of choosing which of the many workshop topics they would like to attend depending on their interests.

Click here for more information and to register for the conference, which will be held in Atlanta at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta (UUCA).

Maybe Baby? FREE Information Meetings Coming Soon!

The Feminist Women's Health Center Presents:

Maybe Baby?

TWO FREE Informational Meetings

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2010
Legal and Emotional Considerations: Issues for GLBT Parents
Discussion Topics:
* Second Parent Adoption
* Legal Matters Facing GLBT Families
* Adoption as a Parenting Option
* The Emotional Aspect of Adopting a Child
* The Unique Issues of GLBT Parenting

AND

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2010
Is Donor Insemination For You?
Discussion Topics:
* How the Insemination Process Works
* Summary of the Steps to Beginning the Insemination Journey
* Review of the Current Fertility Statistics
* Holistic and Traditional Options for Increasing Fertility
* How OUR Program Optimizes YOUR Chances of Success

BOTH SESSIONS: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
LOCATION: 1924 Cliff Valley Way, Atlanta, GA 30329

FOR MORE INFORMATION, Contact Gail:
gailp@feministcenter.org
404-929-1738

Lori Surmay Speaks at NCJFCJ Annual Conference

Attorney Lori Surmay in San Diego, California during the NCJFCJ Annual Conference.

On July 20, 2010, attorney Lori Surmay spoke to The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges during that group's annual conference in San Diego. NCJFCJ selected Lori and her co-presenter, attorney Ellen Yarrell, from Houston, Texas, from a long list of interested speakers. Both Lori and Ellen are Fellows in the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and Ellen is a past Academy President. They spoke to a group of approximately 50 attendees from all over the country including Ellen's and Lori's own stomping grounds - a judge from Houston and a Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court. Ellen and Lori debunked many myths about the impact on children of being raised by same-gender couples, and informed the audience of the many studies and well-known medical, psychological and legal organizations which support same gender parenting. The presentation and discussion also included timely topics such as the movie, "The Kids Are Alright" - about lesbian parenting and a sperm donor, to France's recent recognition of a second parent adoption. Ellen and Lori answered many questions for attendees and were very well received.

Of note: the incoming NCHFCJ President is Judge Michael Key from LaGrange, Georgia. Click here to read an article and see more photos from the conference on the NCJFCJ website.

An Extraordinary Decision for Unmarried Couples in France

It is with great happiness that our firm shares this major victory for clients of ours. Several years ago, Lori Surmay finalized here in Georgia a second parent adoption for a lesbian couple, one of whom is French. For years, they fought through the French legal system seeking French recognition of the adoption. The courts kept getting caught up in fears that the second parent’s adoption would somehow negate the rights of the first parent, the biological mother, despite evidence to the contrary including an affidavit stating that the U.S. final adoption order created a “second” legal parent (in addition to, not in replacement of, the first). On the same day recently that our French client earned her U.S. citizenship, the highest French court ruled in her favor. See a translation of one of the French articles published in Le Monde.

As the child spends a great deal of time in France with her grandparents, the family is greatly relieved that she now may be eligible for dual citizenship and a work visa in the future. When Lori first met this family, the little girl was in utero. She now ranks as one of the top swimmers in the state for 11 year olds. She is a normal child whose parents went to extraordinary measures to plan for her future and to provide her every advantage they could. This case will change things for all unmarried adoptive parents in France and we are thrilled with the outcome. Vive la France!