Legal first as same-sex couple recognised as parents on birth certs from birth

Congratulations to Geraldine and Niamh who have become the first same-sex couple in the country to be legally recognised as the parents of their babies from birth.

The couple attended Waterstone Clinic and Geraldine became pregnant with twin girls Réidín and Aoibhín in summer 2020. “We were delighted when the legislation was enacted in May last year at a time when we were dreaming of becoming parents”, said Niamh. “Little did we know then that fate would lead us to be the first to benefit from this new law. It is monumental for us and a historic step towards LGBT+ equality”.

Geraldine and Niamh had attended Waterstone Clinic prior to lockdown and their procedure was rescheduled, “We had been due to have the frozen embryo transfer in March 2020, but the week of the scheduled procedure the government lockdown came into place. We were rescheduled and thanks to good timing and the hard work of the team at the Clinic, the transfer took place two days after restrictions were lifted for fertility clinics, and we finally became pregnant,” said Geraldine.

Legal recognition for Geraldine and Niamh as parents follows the enactment of sections of the Children and Family Relationships Act (2015) last May. Prior to this, female same-sex couples had to go through a court process to re-register the birth of their children, in order for both of them to be legally recognised as the children’s parents. Following treatment at Waterstone Clinic, Geraldine and Niamh were both registered as the parents of their twin girls Réidín and Aoibhín on their babies’ birth certs.

LGBT Ireland said the recognition was hugely significant for same-sex couples all over the country. “It’s a huge step forward in terms of rights for same-sex parents… It’s hugely important for children to have a legal relationship from birth with their parents, with the ones who care for them and love them on a daily basis”, Chief Executive of LGBT Ireland Paula Fagan told RTÉ News.

Geraldine gave birth to the twins having been assisted through conception and her pregnancy by the Waterstone Clinic in Cork.

“The route to parenthood for same-sex couples is already more difficult, so taking out the court proceedings for the birth certs just makes it that little bit easier for us and for every else to come,” Geraldine said.

LGBT Ireland said the recognition was hugely significant for same-sex couples all over the country.

“It’s a huge step forward in terms of rights for same-sex parents – that they can have legal recognition from birth for themselves and their children,” Chief Executive of LGBT Ireland Paula Fagan told RTÉ News.

“It’s hugely important for children to have a legal relationship from birth with their parents, with the ones who care for them and love them on a daily basis.”

 

 

See RTE News  https://www.rte.ie/news/2021/0326/1206314-same-sex-couple-birth-certs/