So you want to make a baby seminar

So you want to make a baby seminar

On 12 April, 2014 I will be speaking as part of a panel about how gay and lesbian people can become parents- and how to avoid the pitfalls of the process.

After all, for a lesbian couple to have a baby typically involves IVF or yon turkey baster; whereas for gay guys who want to have their own baby, surrogacy is essential. There are many traps for those who want to use known donors, and the risks have been particularly exposed by a Family Court case last year.

Other common issues are when one partner in a lesbian relationship offers to swap her eggs so that her partner becomes pregnant- so that both become parents of the baby. While this might seem straightforward, this also involves tricks and challenges.

The other speakers on the panel will be respected IVF counsellor Mr Michael Condon, and renowned fertility specialist Dr Warren DeAmbrosis.


Michael is probably the most senior fertility counsellor in Queensland. He is a psychologist, and has for many years been the senior counsellor of Queensland’s largest fertility clinic, Queensland Fertility Group.

Warren DeAmbrosis is a renowned fertility specialist and one of the founders of Queensland Fertility Group.

The seminar will be hosted by the LGBTI Legal Service Inc. The LGBTI Legal Service, as its name implies, provides legal help through volunteers like myself, to members of the LGBTI community. It has now operated since July 2010 and was opened by the Hon. Michael Kirby on World Aids Day on 1 December 2010. I have been a volunteer at the service since it first started. The service is completely unfunded. It receives not a cent from government, but receives generous sponsorship from the Queensland Aids Council.  Anything you can donate that will help this vital service survive will be gratefully appreciated.

Date:  Saturday 12 April 2014

Time: 10.30am to noon

Place: THE VENUE HAS NOW CHANGED TO MEET DEMAND. The venue now is: Uniting Church Hall, 52 Merthyr Rd, New Farm

Cost: Entry is free, but donation to the LGBTI Legal Service is strongly encouraged

RSVP: lprasad@harringtonfamilylawyers.com

Things to Read, Watch & Listen

A Call for National Reform: Stephen Page’s Submission on Surrogacy to the ALRC

Australia’s surrogacy laws remain inconsistent and outdated, varying widely between states and lacking a unified, national approach. In response to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s review, renowned family and fertility lawyer Stephen Page has submitted a detailed and passionate proposal for reform.

What You Need to Know About Separation & Divorce

Contemplating separation or divorce can be one of the most challenging and emotionally taxing experiences in life. If you find yourself at this crossroads, it’s vital to approach the situation with foresight and preparation.

Should You Go to Iran for Surrogacy?

When it comes to surrogacy destinations, Iran is probably not the first country that springs to mind. Yet, surprisingly, Iran’s surrogacy laws share some striking similarities with those of California—a state known for its progressive and clear legal framework on assisted reproduction.

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