Monday, July 12, 2021

Israel's Supreme Court Extends Surrogacy Rights To Same-Sex Couples and Single Men

As reported by AP and The Forward, Israel's Supreme Court sitting as the High Court of Justice yesterday ruled that the government must allow same-sex couples and single men to become parents through surrogate mothers on a equal basis with heterosexual couples and single women. Its ruling takes effect in 6 months, in order to give time for the creation of professional guidelines. AP explains:

The court ruled in 2020 that a surrogacy law, which had expanded access to single women but excluded gay couples, “disproportionately harmed the right to equality and the right to parenthood” and was unlawful.

It gave the government a year to draw up a new law, but parliament failed to meet the deadline.

[Thanks to Steven H. Sholk for the lead.]