The Super Yuck Factor after Windsor and Hollingsworth How far did we really get in advancing the rights of same-sex families created through third-party assisted reproduction? By Elizabeth Swire Falker, Esq. The Stork Lawyer® This week the United States Supreme Court decided two cases addressing the fundamental rights of members of the LGBT community. Maybe you heard about them? In a decision written by Justice Kennedy in United States v. Windsor, 570 U.S. __ (2013) ("Windsor"), it has been determined that a provision in The Defense of Marriage Act ("DOMA") that restricted marriage (for almost all purposes under Federal law) to marriages between heterosexual couples, is unconstitutional. In an eloquent opinion written by Justice Kennedy, the majority of the Court held that this provision of DOMA is unconstitutional insofar as it discriminates against same-sex couples who wish to marry. In an over-simplified nutshell, because DOMA treated two groups or classes of people -- heterosexual couples and same-sex couples -- differently, DOMA violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution. In a related decision, Hollingsworth v. Perry, 570 U.S. __ (2013) ("Hollingsworth"), the Supreme Court (Justice Roberts writing for the majority) refused to hear a case and address the Constitutionality of California's "Proposition 8". Proposition 8 specified that marriage in California could only be entered into between members of the opposite sex, men and women. After passage of Proposition 8, a California Federal District court held it to be unconstitutional. By declining to hear the case, albeit on technical grounds, the Supreme Court permitted the District Court's decision to stand, which now means that same-sex couples in California may enter into the bond of marriage. Thus under both Federal law (Windsor) and California State law (Hollingsworth), the rights of gay men and women have triumphed! This is without a doubt an historic moment in the advancement of fundamental rights for the LGBT community.

Gay Parenting Events: An Inside Look at One of the Premier East Coast LGBT Events From left to right: Greg Zola, Dr. Mark Leondires, Melissa Etheridge, Linda Wallem, and Dan Bucatinsky

Our 3 Favorite Gay Parenting Books: 1. Brill, Stephanie, The Queer Parent's Primer: A Lesbian and Gay Families' Guide to Navigating Through a Straight World (2001)

Adoption is an Option for Gay & Lesbian Families There are many ways for gay men and lesbians to build families. Last month, we examined third-party options. This month we’ll look at adoption.

Gay adoption? Gay Surrogacy? Other third-party family building options? What’s the best strategy for gay men or lesbians as they consider same-sex parenting?

Center Families Presents an LGBT Family Building Event On Saturday April 27, 2013 GayParentsToBe, in partnership with the Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMACT), is sponsoring an LGBT Family Building Expo hosted by Center Families in New York City. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about all aspects of family building for gay and lesbian individuals/couples interested in having a baby. This is an all day event that will feature panel discussions on all aspects of family building by focusing on the medical, legal, psychological, and financial aspects. LGBT parents will also share their personal stories and free medical consultations will be provided by appointment only. And stay tuned for celebrity guests during the lunchtime sessions and “Cocktails with Content.”

Surrogacy Law Vetoed by New Jersey Governor This summer, New Jersey seemed poised to be the latest state to enact a law relaxing restrictions on gestational surrogacy.

Same-Sex Couples Raising Children Increasing Guest Blogger Lisa Rosenthal of Path To Fertility

Gay Parenting | LGBT Family Building Services Gay Couples Becoming Parents With Same Technology Straight Infertile Couples Use Gay couples can become parents by the same assisted reproductive technologies (ART) that enable infertile heterosexual couples to have babies, and the good news is that it is possible to have your own biological child. Back in July 1978, when Louise Joy Brown was born, she was the first baby brought into the world through IVF treatment (in vitro fertilization) by parents Lesley and Peter Brown who were struggling with infertility issues. Since then, an estimated five million babies have been born using IVF technology and the technologies and options for parents have continued to develop.

Dr. Mark Leondires - Medical Director, GayParentsToBe GayParentsToBe is an informational resource and link to gay parenting services. We strive to provide the best care for LGBT couples and individuals as they navigate all of the options to bring a child into the world. To better serve our LGBT community, Reproductive Medicine Associates of CT launched GayParentsToBe to more completely address the unique challenges same-sex couples and LGBT solo parents face when building their family. Our Connecticut and New York locations are supportive of gay and lesbian couples as well as individual parents by choice. Working with an established professional network, including gestational carrier (surrogate), egg donor and sperm donor agencies, we provide full service care to help you realize your dream of building a family.