The following statements were issued today in regards to a press conference on the issue of legalizing gestational surrogacy in New York:
“When I made the decision to act as a gestational surrogate for a family who was not able to carry a child to term, I became part of something much bigger than myself. While I expected the process to be meaningful, the spiritual, personal, and emotional growth that resulted from this experience has changed who I am for the better. Calling hopeful parents ‘third party exploiters’ and smearing the reputations of the women who want to help them is a pitiful attempt to justify standing in the way of bringing more love and joy into people’s lives. Whenever we have the opportunity to create policy that supports families, the path feels clear. I know that this world is a better place because of the love of a new family I had the privilege of helping to create,” said Amanda Hopping-Winn, Chief Program Officer of Family Equality Council.
“Amanda’s reflection and experience mirrors the experience of other gestational surrogates: the act of helping others build their families is sacred to all involved. This is why the Protecting Modern Families Coalition is supported by so many interfaith and theological organizations. It is time for New York Law to catch up to the rest of the United States in supporting and embracing the formation of all families,” said The Reverend Stan J Sloan, CEO of Family Equality Council.
About Family Equality Council
Family Equality Council advances legal and lived equality for LGBTQ families, and for those who wish to form them, through building community, changing hearts and minds, and driving policy change. Family Equality Council believes every LGBTQ person should have the right and opportunity to form and sustain a loving family, regardless of who they are or where they live. Learn more at familyequality.org.
Family Equality Council leads the Protecting Modern Families Coalition, which advocates for New York families who rely on advances in medical assistance to have children. The coalition is made up of leading LGTBQ, infertility, faith, and women’s organizations dedicated to passing the Child-Parent Security Act during the 2019 legislative session, including the Academy for Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Auburn Theological Seminary, Equality New York, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of New York City, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, Union Theological Seminary, Men Having Babies, and National Council of Jewish Women. To learn more, visit www.modernfamiliescoalition.com.
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Media Contact:
Maggie McKeon, Bluejacket Strategies
maggie@bluejacket.nyc