Tammy Myers, a Michigan resident, is on the brink of triumph in her long-standing battle to amend the state’s outdated surrogacy legislation.
The journey began with immense joy on January 11, 2021, when Tammy received her twin babies at a Michigan hospital. However, this happiness was tinged with frustration as she was informed by their attorney that a judge had denied their emergency request for parental rights.
Nearly two years elapsed before Tammy and her husband, Jordan, were permitted to be listed as the parents on their twins’ birth certificates, despite being their biological parents.
The need for surrogacy arose from Tammy’s breast cancer diagnosis in 2015, alongside their desire to expand their family. The premature birth of their twins complicated matters, as Michigan’s surrogacy laws necessitated a pre-birth order, which was delayed due to the twins’ early arrival.
Following the rejection of two pre-birth orders, the Myerses were left with no recourse but to undergo the adoption process for their own biological children. The Surrogate Parenting Act of 1988 in Michigan mandates either a surrogacy participant be named the child’s parent or undergo adoption.
Despite finally completing the adoption in December 2022, Tammy remained determined to rectify what she deemed an “insanely outdated” law.
The passage of the Michigan Family Protection Act in the state’s House, expected to clear the Senate, represents a significant milestone in this struggle. This new legislation will ensure secure legal relationships between children and their parents.
Congresswoman Hillary Scholten commended the perseverance of families like the Myerses, whose stories have propelled legislative change, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed eagerness to sign the Michigan Family Protection Act, emphasizing her commitment to fostering an optimal environment for family life in the state.
As the journey draws to a close, Tammy Myers reflects on the impact of the forthcoming legislation, recognizing its potential to alleviate the burdens faced by countless Michigan families. Recalling a pivotal moment during a Senate hearing, Tammy finds solace in the knowledge that her advocacy will spare others from enduring similar hardships.
Learn more about surrogacy:
A step by step guide through the surrogacy process, by Kirsten Mclennan
