Same-sex couples on the Isle of Man should have the same parental rights as heterosexual couples, campaigners have said
Currently, only the child’s birth mother and genetic father are given automatic parental rights when born following fertility treatment.
Legislative Council member Tanya August-Hanson is asking for views on a private members bill to match UK laws.
According to a BBC report, the bid would bring the island’s laws in line with the UK’s Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority Act 2008.
The UK legislation states that any woman who is either married to or in a civil partnership with the birth mother automatically becomes a legal parent and is named on the birth certificate on the birth certificate.
For unmarried people, consent must be obtained before fertility treatment begins for them to be recognised on the birth certificate.
The new bill would also address the laws surrounding surrogacy, where two men may want to use a surrogate and donor eggs.
The proposals would allow an application to be made to the High Court for the men to become legal parents and have their own names on their children’s birth certificates.
To have your say on the proposals, click here.
The consultation will end on September 29.
Do you live on the Isle of Man? Would these proposals change your life? We would love to hear your story; email mystory@ivfbabble.com.
