Proud Parenting

LGBTQ Parents - Lesbian Moms & Gay Dads

D.C. Councilman introduces bill to end city’s prohibition on surrogacy

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Councilman David Catania (pic) submitted legislation that would end the city’s prohibition on surrogacy contracts, eliminating the possibility of a $10,000 fine and a year in jail for people who enter into one.

“I don’t expect there to be any significant opposition,” Catania said. “This is about remedying what I believe to be an imperfection in our law.”

Catania’s legislation allows both traditional surrogacy, where a surrogate mother uses her own egg, and gestational surrogacy, where another woman’s egg is implanted in the surrogate.

[via WashingtonExaminer.com]

Washington National Cathedral to wed same-sex couples

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One of the nation’s most prominent churches – the Washington National Cathedral – has opened its doors to welcome same-sex weddings. It’s an Episcopalian Church, which has developed a blessing right that mirrors ceremonies for straight couples. Episcopalians allow each bishop to decide to allow same-sex marriages in their churches or not.

The National Cathedral is a place where sacred rites are carried out on behalf of the nation. It has been host to the funerals of numerous presidents and of inaugural prayer services for four presidents, including Barack Obama.

[via CNN.com]

Hawaii and Delaware begin to allow same-sex civil unions

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Hawaii and Delaware join the list of states which recognize same-sex civil unions. Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island already recognize civil unions providing state-level spousal rights to same-sex couples. Six other states and Washington, D.C. allow same-sex marriage – creating a patchwork of U.S. legislation for same-sex couples who want to legalize their unions. Marriage licenses are given to same-sex couples in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York and D.C. California’s struggle for marriage equality is stayed pending an appeal.

[CNN.com]

Marriage equality is business boom in D.C.

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The legalization of same sex marriage in the nation’s capital has been a boom for local businesses. So far, there’s been a 35 percent increase in D.C. businesses, a 28 percent uptick from Maryland companies and a 24 percent jump in vendors from Virginia. The Williams Institute study reported that gay couples in Massachusetts spent an average $7,400 on a wedding. “There seems to be some windfall for our small businesses engaged in the event and wedding industry,” said Jeffrey D. Richardson, director of the D.C. Mayor’s Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs. “There is potential for a real long-term economic impact.”

[via The Washington Post]

The tide is turning: Public opinion favoring gay partnerships increased from 47 percent to 63 percent between 2004 and 2008

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Governments and citizens are accepting gay partnerships at a rapid pace. The recent Iowa court’s meaningful decision was followed four days later by the Vermont Legislature’s legalizing gay marriage over Gov. Jim Douglas’ veto. Then the Washington, D.C., City Council unanimously voted to recognize same-sex marriages from other states. And President Obama personally invited families headed by gay and lesbian couples to this year’s Easter Egg Roll.

Barb Shelly, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist writes: “…the tide of public opinion is pulling toward acceptance. Polling by Newsweek shows that the percentage of the public that favors legal recognition of gay partnerships — either through marriage or civil unions — increased from 47 percent to 63 percent between 2004 and 2008.

“The rationale against same-sex marriages was weak in the abstract. There was never any evidence to suggest that gay and lesbian unions would weaken the institution of marriage, or harm children. Now that same-sex marriages are becoming reality, the grounds on which to oppose them are even shakier. Gay and lesbian partners are good neighbors. They raise happy, well-adjusted children. They lead parents’ committees in schools, and coach soccer teams. It is difficult to oppose a way of life that looks a lot like one’s own.”