Connecticut Court Rules In Favor Of Couples Who Use Surrogates
Posted By Eric Ethington (Author) on January 21, 2011
Connecticut – The State Supreme Court ruled in favor of two fathers who were denied parental rights by the state after they used a surrogate to give birth to their child. This is being hailed as a huge win for both same sex couples and any other parents that use surrogates.
Anthony and Shawn Raftopol were legally married in Massachusettes, and 2 years ago decided to have a child by means of a surrogate. When the twins was born, Anthony was automatically listed as the baby’s biological father, but the state denied Shawn being listed unless he went through a 2nd-parent adoption procedure. Now, after a 2 year legal battle, the Raftopol’s have finally been given the right to have Shawn listed as the parent of their two children.
But the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled this week that Shawn Raftopol, 40, has parenting rights, even thought he is not the biological father, because the couple had a valid surrogacy agreement.
The court rejected the state’s argument that the co-parent would have to go through a second-parent adoption proceeding in order to be listed on the birth certificates.
The decision will have far-reaching ramifications for other couples — gay and straight — who choose to have their children through surrogacy.
"Eric, trying to have this (civil rights) conversation with you is ultimately like trying to teach a pig to dance, it just annoys the pig. So Eric, sorry to annoy you."
-Paul Mero, The Sutherland Institute.
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