Attorney General James voices
support for legalization of surrogacy
BY NELSON A. KING
Stating that the antiquated surrogacy
ban makes it prohibitively
expensive and burdensome for many
New Yorkers to become parents, New
York Attorney General Letitia James
has expressed strong support for the
legalization of gestational surrogacy
in the state.
“Our countless families, particularly
members of the LGBTQ (lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender and
queer) community and those with fertility
issues have been unable to have
a child through surrogacy because of
this outdated law,” said James in a
statement on Thursday. “The current
proposal has been well-researched,
well-written, and will not only support
families, but provide critical legal
and medical protections to surrogates,
parents and children.”
“I respect the legislative process
and look forward to meeting with
members of the Legislature to address
their concerns, so we can move
forward to adopt this proposal,” she
added.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said while
New York is one of the most progressive
states in the nation and a leader
Caribbean Life, F 20 ebruary 21-27, 2020
in LGBTQ and women’s rights, it is
“only one of three states that does not
allow LGBTQ individuals and people
struggling with fertility to conceive a
child and start a family through gestational
surrogacy.
“We need to right that wrong,” he
affi rmed, adding that “with the support
of the Attorney General and our
broad coalition of advocates, this
year, we will get it done and complete
marriage and family equality.”
Alphonso David, president of
the Human Rights Campaign, said:
“We’re glad to see Attorney General
Letitia James support this important
effort to legalize gestational surrogacy,
which will make it easier for
many couples – including same-sex
couples – to start families.
“We support this effort, and hope
to see it become law in New York,” he
said, stating that “New York’s 30-year
old ban on surrogacy refl ects an outdated
understanding of what a family
is.
“It’s time for New York law to
catch up to the extraordinary advances
in medicine and society that
have taken place over a generation
by passing the Child-Parent Security
Act,” David said.
“We thank Attorney General
James for recognizing that love
makes a family, no matter how that
family is created,” said the Rev. Stan
J. Sloan, chief executive offi cer of
Family Equality, the organization
spearheading the Protecting Modern
Families Coalition.
TANGERINE CLARKE
The Brooklyn Woman’s Bar
Association honored Assemblywoman
Rodneyse Bichotte, at its
second Annual Black History
Month celebration attended by
scores of judges and lawyers, at its
headquarters on Remsen Street, in
Brooklyn.
Bichotte, the fi rst African-American
woman, and fi rst woman, to be
nominated as Kings County Democratic
Party Leader - dubbed ‘party
boss’ was celebrated for her excellent
achievements and outstanding
community service, and presented
with a plaque, by President, Meryl
Schwartz, Esq., and in-coming
President, Natoya McGhie, Esq.
who also, read Bichotte’s remarkable
biography.
Brooklyn District Attorney,
Eric Gonzalez honored and and
paid tribute, to Bichotte applauding
her for paying a pivotal role, by
helping, shape the judiciary.
“Today we honor and acknowledge
her, achievements as the fi rst
African-American, and the fi rst
woman to be nominated as country
leader. I have known Rodneyse for
many years. I believe in her, and I
know her decisions will continue
to help Brooklyn, in terms of public
safety and fairness.”
Attorney General Letitia James is
advocating reforms to New York’s
surrogacy laws to make adoptions
easier. Photo courtesy of Letitia James
Legal eagles honor
new Dem boss
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