Rebecca Madsen from Gay Parents Australia

Rebecca Madsen from Gay Parents Australia

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of meeting Rebecca Madsen, the founder of Gay Parents Australia.

Necessity, they say, is the mother of invention. As a new mum, Rebecca quickly discovered that there was a lack of support online for gay and lesbian parents, so decided to fix the problem- by creating her own website, as this story from the ABC makes plain.

Rebecca was keen on making sure that there are resources available for gay and lesbian parents, who according to the latest research, are doing a good job in caring for kids.

Good on her! We don’t have to earn a degree or even finish high school to become parents. For LGBTI newbie parents there has been a lack of support. After all it was only in 2012 and 2013 that in my home State of Queensland, for example, the Australian Christian Lobby ran the line, opposing the recognition of lesbian mums, and opposing surrogacy for gay, lesbian, and single intended parents- because, said the ACL every child deserved a mother and a father.

Is it any wonder that there has been a lack of support?

Good On Rebecca. I wish her and her website the best of luck. The more support that can help parents of kids, so that those kids are nurtured, and loved, and don’t fall between the cracks, the better.

Things to Read, Watch & Listen

NSW Surrogacy FAIL: What Lawyers Got Wrong and How to Avoid It

Surrogacy journeys should be joyous and smooth pathways to parenthood, but unfortunately, legal missteps can turn them into complex, frustrating ordeals.

Jenny’s Bid for Reproductive Freedom

“Jenny” is a single woman living in Western Australia. Five years ago, she decided to do what many single women have done, and freeze her eggs for possible later use.

Monash IVF Mix-Up & Fertility Law Shake-Up in Queensland

In recent months, Queensland has seen two major incidents that have sent ripples through the assisted reproductive technology (ART) community, highlighting the delicate nature of fertility treatments and the urgent need for thoughtful regulation.

Family Law Section Law Council of Australia Award
Member of Queensland law society
Family law Practitioners Association
International Academy of Family Lawyers - IAFL
Mediator Standards Board