Gays seek a fair go for surrogacy

HOMOSEXUAL couples should have the same rights as straight couples when it comes to access to surrogacy, according to gay Ipswich identity Peter Robinson.

Mr Robinson, whose long involvement in the gay Ipswich community includes organising the monthly Out West club event, said the Liberal National Party’s plan to stop gay access to surrogacy was discriminatory.

The State Government recently drafted laws to decriminalise altruistic surrogacy for anyone in Queensland, including homosexual couples and sole parents.

But LNP deputy leader Lawrence Springborg introduced a Bill to parliament on Wednesday which would amend the draft laws to make it illegal for gay couples to access surrogacy.

Mr Robinson said homosexual couples are just as loving and caring as their straight counterparts and called on Mr Springborg and the LNP to “get with the times” and withdraw its Bill.

“It’s nature not nurture for us, being gay is the way we are born, so therefore we have the same wants and needs as a straight couple would – including raising a family,” he said.

“They have no right deciding if gay parents are good enough – gay parents are just as good as straight parents.

“I know a lot of gay parents who have children through IVF, adoptions, or who have children from previous straight relationships, and they are raising their children in a safe and loving environment.”

He said there were many gay couples in Ipswich who were already waiting for the State Government’s original surrogacy laws to kick in to have their own surrogate babies.

The Bligh Government introduced the surrogacy law changes to parliament in August, and was aiming for the laws to come into effect at the beginning of next year.

“There are a lot of people who were planning on using the new laws to have a surrogate baby next year, and I think more would consider it once it became legal,” he said.

“If the laws are changed to exclude gays, it will just force those couples to do it illegally. They should be given a fair go.”