LEGISLATION giving same-sex couples and civil partners equal recognition on their children’s birth certificates will come into force this month – eight years after the issue was first raised.
The long-awaited changes will give same-sex parents the same legal recognition and responsibilities that heterosexual couples have long had – including both parents being named on their child’s birth certificate and automatic parental responsibility.
It will also provide legal clarity in cases involving surrogacy and assisted reproduction.
The issue was first raised by Advocate Barbara Corbett, picked up by campaigner Kaye Nicholson, and progressed through the States Assembly – with Deputy Louise Doublet playing a leading role in keeping it on the political agenda.
In a joint statement, Deputy Doublet and Ms Nicholson said: “This is a huge milestone for LGBTQ+ Islanders and their children.
“We are delighted to have reached the culmination of years of campaigning and hard work.
“We are hugely grateful to the policy officers and law drafters who have helped to make this happen for our community, and to the States Assembly who supported it unanimously.
“The law makes several changes and at the heart of these is the new right for children with same-sex parents to have both of their parents’ names registered on their birth certificate.
“This means they have the same human rights as other children in this respect.”
Local couple April and Lauren Fosse-Burch said they were “delighted” to be able to change their daughter’s birth certificate to “better reflect” their family.
“Having a parent’s name on a birth certificate is something that most families take for granted, but, like us, there are many different types of families that will be affected positively by the new law coming into force,” explained April.
“We know its been years in the making, and we are grateful for all of the work that’s been put into making this happen.
“People question why Pride is important. This has been only one of the unseen inequalities for LGBTQ+ families. We now have the privilege of saying our family is recognised in this way.”
