The Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) has welcomed the Miscellaneous Acts Amendment (Same Sex Relationships) Bill 2008 to be debated today in the NSW Parliament.

“We welcome this long overdue reform to recognise lesbian parents and their children. Following the passage of the legislation, approximately 1000 children in NSW will have two legally recognised parents able to give consent for their medical treatment, take them to hospital, sign school permission notes, and interact with their child care centres and schools,” said Emily Gray, GLRL Co-Convenor.

Currently, children born into heterosexual relationships through donor insemination have two legally recognised parents, but those in lesbian relationships only have one. The Bill will legally recognise the non-biological mother for a child born through donor insemination in a lesbian relationship. This recognition is important for protecting children’s rights in areas such as inheritance, workers' compensation, health care, custody and contact.

“This legislation is in the best interests of children providing them with emotional, economic and legal stability, with the recognition of both their parents. Without this recognition, these children have only one parent in the eyes of the law. “said Peter Johnson, GLRL Co-Convenor.

This reform will affect a significant number of people. Up to 20 per cent of lesbians are parents and the 2006 census recorded at least 1533 children living in same sex families in NSW.

Debate is scheduled to commence on the Bill today in the Legislative Council. The upper house sits from 2:30pm. Members of the public are welcome to watch.