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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Lesbian mothers should be on birth certificates

756 replies

SapphosRock · 21/07/2023 11:16

Great article from Kathleen Stock.

unherd.com/2023/07/lesbian-mothers-should-be-on-birth-certificates/

It is surprising to me that anyone who supports women's rights would oppose lesbian parents having equal rights to straight parents.

From the article:

Naming a second lesbian parent on a child’s birth certificate is a family-friendly move. Arguably, if you squint a bit, it’s even a socially conservative move — though agreeing probably depends on whether you take, as your baseline, a society where lesbians will have children anyway; or whether you think of it as a cultural aberration that could, with discouragement, be stopped. Either way, putting a second lesbian partner on a birth certificate officially defines and legitimises her parenting relation within the family, allowing the burdens and joys to be shared between two adults, and adding a second layer of protection for the child. Family stability is important for good childhood outcomes, and this measure seems to provide some.

OP posts:
Helleofabore · 21/07/2023 11:28

What currently happens with births where the mother gives up the infant to two gay men adopting? What is the symmetrical arrangement for a family of two gay men vs two lesbians?

SapphosRock · 21/07/2023 11:23

stargirl1701 · 21/07/2023 11:18

I think it might be time to alter the existing birth certificate or move to a 2 cert system - one that records biological data and one that records parental data.

Lesbian couples with donor conceived children have this already.

The sperm donor details are recorded in a separate document.

OP posts:
Badbudgeter · 21/07/2023 11:23

stargirl1701 · 21/07/2023 11:18

I think it might be time to alter the existing birth certificate or move to a 2 cert system - one that records biological data and one that records parental data.

I’d agree I think a birth certificate should record biological reality with an additional certificate to record those who have parental responsibilities where necessary.

ThisTimeIts · 21/07/2023 11:21

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Runningslow · 21/07/2023 11:21

stargirl1701 · 21/07/2023 11:18

I think it might be time to alter the existing birth certificate or move to a 2 cert system - one that records biological data and one that records parental data.

This! The birth certificate should be a factual biological document, but could be expanded to add on other non- biological parents where appropriate.
And the sex should be recorddd accurately for all parties, with the option to add-in identities where necessary.

stargirl1701 · 21/07/2023 11:18

I think it might be time to alter the existing birth certificate or move to a 2 cert system - one that records biological data and one that records parental data.

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