After two years of debate, the French parliament has approved fertility treatments for lesbian couples. Which other countries permit IVF for lesbians? Why are same-sex couples denied the right to raise a family? Palki Sharma has a report.

Gravitas: France clears IVF treatment for lesbians

Thousands gathered in Paris on Sunday to protest the government's plan to let single women and lesbians become pregnant with fertility treatments, the country's first major social reform since France legalised gay marriage in 2013.

Waving red and green flags, a crowd marched from the French Senate toward the monolithic Tour Montparnasse skyscraper, chanting "Liberty, Equality, Paternity" -&nbsp;a play on the French motto which ends with "Fraternity."

Many wore the distinctive cone-shaped red Phrygian hats that are a symbol of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-cant-escape-copyright-laws-frances-emmanuel-macron-253863">French republic</a>.

Organisers said they hoped 100,000 will turn out against the law, which was approved by the lower house of parliament last month, but officials said they were expecting 10,000 to 20,000 people.

"For two years now our attempts at dialogue have gone nowhere... the street is the only place left for us to be heard," Ludovine de la Rochere, president of the Protest for Everyone association, told journalists Sunday.

President Emmanuel Macron pledged during his 2017 election campaign to push the law despite deep resistance among&nbsp;rightwing opponents as well as conservative Roman Catholics and other religious groups.

They had mobilised massively in 2012 and 2013 against a move by Macron's Socialist predecessor Francois Hollande to legalise marriage for homosexual couples, with one Paris protest attracting 340,000 people according to police.

But that law did not allow lesbian couples or single women to have children via in-vitro fertilisation or other medically assisted means, long a taboo in France.

Many women have instead been forced to go abroad for such treatments, and French courts often refuse to recognise the second mother's maternity rights in the case of same-sex couples.

Under the proposed law, France's healthcare system would cover the cost of the procedure for all women under 43.

It would also allow children conceived with donated sperm to find out the donor's identity when they turn 18, a change from the country's strict donor anonymity protections.

If approved, the law would bring French legislation in line with other European nations including Britain, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium and Scandinavian countries, which authorise medically assisted procreation for all women.

'Much less divided'

Opponents say the law deprives children of a necessary paternal figure and threatens a traditional family structure, and would open the door to legalising surrogacy, including for gay men.

Protest organisers chartered two high-speed TGV trains and around 100 buses to bring people to Paris on Sunday and said they had distributed some three million flyers against the law in recent weeks.

"The family, with a mother and a father, is an ecosystem that needs protecting," said Christian Kersabiec, 68, who came to the march Sunday from Vannes in Brittany, denouncing "this new society where they play the sorcerer's apprentice."

But analysts say <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/frances-political-class-unites-to-honour-jacques-chirac-at-funeral-service-252898">French society</a> has become more accepting of non-traditional families since the gay marriage law was passed in 2013.

Last week, National Assembly lawmakers voted to make it easier for parents who have children via a surrogate mother abroad, in countries where it is legal, to have them officially recognised in France -- though Macron's government has said it opposes the move.

And an Ifop poll in September found that 68 per cent approved IVF and other medically assisted procreation (MAP) for single women, and 65 per cent for lesbian couples.

"It's hard to predict what will happen Sunday but public opinion is much less divided on MAP than on gay marriage," Frederic Dabi, an Ifop director, told AFP.

Gerard Larcher, the rightwing president of the Senate who protested against the gay marriage law six years ago, is not expected to attend the rally Sunday.

"The people demonstrating will be doing it more out of moral conviction, a sense of duty, rather than to try to make the government back down," said Yann Raison de Cleuziou, a sociologist who has studied the conservative Catholic movement against the family reforms.

Thousands gathered in Paris on Sunday to protest the government's plan to let single women and lesbians become pregnant with fertility treatments, the country's first major social reform since France legalised gay marriage in 2013.

Thousands gathered in Paris on Sunday to protest the government's plan to let single women and lesbians become pregnant with fertility treatments, the country's first major social reform since France legalised gay marriage in 2013. Waving red and green flags, a crowd marched from the French Senate toward the monolithic Tour Montparnasse skyscraper, chanting "Liberty, Equality, Paternity" - a play on the French motto which ends with "Fraternity." Many wore the distinctive cone-shaped red Phrygian hats that are a symbol of the French republic. Organisers said they hoped 100,000 will turn out against the law, which was approved by the lower house of parliament last month, but officials said they were expecting 10,000 to 20,000 people. "For two years now our attempts at dialogue have gone nowhere... the street is the only place left for us to be heard," Ludovine de la Rochere, president of the Protest for Everyone association, told journalists Sunday. President Emmanuel Macron pledged during his 2017 election campaign to push the law despite deep resistance among rightwing opponents as well as conservative Roman Catholics and other religious groups. They had mobilised massively in 2012 and 2013 against a move by Macron's Socialist predecessor Francois Hollande to legalise marriage for homosexual couples, with one Paris protest attracting 340,000 people according to police. But that law did not allow lesbian couples or single women to have children via in-vitro fertilisation or other medically assisted means, long a taboo in France. Many women have instead been forced to go abroad for such treatments, and French courts often refuse to recognise the second mother's maternity rights in the case of same-sex couples. Under the proposed law, France's healthcare system would cover the cost of the procedure for all women under 43. It would also allow children conceived with donated sperm to find out the donor's identity when they turn 18, a change from the country's strict donor anonymity protections. If approved, the law would bring French legislation in line with other European nations including Britain, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium and Scandinavian countries, which authorise medically assisted procreation for all women. 'Much less divided' Opponents say the law deprives children of a necessary paternal figure and threatens a traditional family structure, and would open the door to legalising surrogacy, including for gay men. Protest organisers chartered two high-speed TGV trains and around 100 buses to bring people to Paris on Sunday and said they had distributed some three million flyers against the law in recent weeks. "The family, with a mother and a father, is an ecosystem that needs protecting," said Christian Kersabiec, 68, who came to the march Sunday from Vannes in Brittany, denouncing "this new society where they play the sorcerer's apprentice." But analysts say French society has become more accepting of non-traditional families since the gay marriage law was passed in 2013. Last week, National Assembly lawmakers voted to make it easier for parents who have children via a surrogate mother abroad, in countries where it is legal, to have them officially recognised in France -- though Macron's government has said it opposes the move. And an Ifop poll in September found that 68 per cent approved IVF and other medically assisted procreation (MAP) for single women, and 65 per cent for lesbian couples. "It's hard to predict what will happen Sunday but public opinion is much less divided on MAP than on gay marriage," Frederic Dabi, an Ifop director, told AFP. Gerard Larcher, the rightwing president of the Senate who protested against the gay marriage law six years ago, is not expected to attend the rally Sunday. "The people demonstrating will be doing it more out of moral conviction, a sense of duty, rather than to try to make the government back down," said Yann Raison de Cleuziou, a sociologist who has studied the conservative Catholic movement against the family reforms.

Thousands protest French IVF law for lesbians, single women

France's lower house of parliament approved Friday a draft law to allow lesbian and single women to conceive children using donor sperm, a move that has already set the stage for street protests next month.

For now, only heterosexual couples have the right to use medically-assisted reproduction methods such as in vitro fertilisation, commonly known as IVF.

Given the green light by the National Assembly, the bill must also get the go-ahead from the upper house, or Senate, before it can become law.

It represents President Emmanuel Macron's biggest social reform since coming to power in 2017, but has drawn the ire of conservatives and even some in his own party who claim it would make children "fatherless".

Macron, who acknowledged last week the political risk of the legislation, is mindful of the backlash six years ago against gay marriage, legalised under his Socialist predecessor Francois Hollande.

France's lower house of parliament approved Friday a draft law to allow lesbian and single women to conceive children using donor sperm, a move that has already set the stage for street protests next month.

France's lower house of parliament approved Friday a draft law to allow lesbian and single women to conceive children using donor sperm, a move that has already set the stage for street protests next month. For now, only heterosexual couples have the right to use medically-assisted reproduction methods such as in vitro fertilisation, commonly known as IVF. Given the green light by the National Assembly, the bill must also get the go-ahead from the upper house, or Senate, before it can become law. It represents President Emmanuel Macron's biggest social reform since coming to power in 2017, but has drawn the ire of conservatives and even some in his own party who claim it would make children "fatherless". Macron, who acknowledged last week the political risk of the legislation, is mindful of the backlash six years ago against gay marriage, legalised under his Socialist predecessor Francois Hollande.

French lawmakers approve IVF for lesbians, single women

September 2018 was a watershed moment for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) community. &nbsp;That month, Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was revoked, thereby decriminalising homosexuality. This development has been long in the making and every member of the LGBTQ community should take pride that their right to have same-sex relationships cannot be infringed upon.&nbsp;

While the revocation was a progressive step, the societal outlook cannot be changed overnight simply with the annulment of a century-old law.&nbsp;

The subject of LGBTQ rights still stirs up discomforting emotions in a large number of people. Such unease concerning LGBTQ members is plainly visible in the Indian corporate space.&nbsp;

Indian companies and organisations’ openness in relation to the LGBTQ community falls along a continuum. Some organisations are willing to create employee groups for members of the LGBTQ community and formulate LGBTQ-friendly policies such as facilitating surrogacy and adoption. Some companies also have policies such as medical coverage for sex change of an LGBTQ member.&nbsp;

On the other side of the continuum are companies that proclaim they’re not against LGBTQ members or their inclusion into society, but nonetheless are unwilling to openly declare that they want to facilitate inclusion of such members.&nbsp;

The question that arises is this: why is there any discomfort at all regarding the LGBTQ community? The obvious answer is that since childhood, children are taught to mock lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals and queers.&nbsp;

Social conditioning runs deep and those inculcated since childhood remains rooted when children grow into adults. Children are taught to refer to a heterosexual man as straight, yet what is it that makes a heterosexual man straight and a homosexual man not straight or perhaps crooked? Why is the quality of being straight bestowed only on heterosexual men and not on homosexual men? Social conditioning dictates who is straight and who isn’t. &nbsp;

Social conditioning is why it’s unremarkable when a man hits on a woman while heterosexual men display extreme discomfort when a man hits on them.&nbsp;

Unlike laws that can be changed overnight, long-ingrained social conditioning cannot be changed as easily. Hence much needs to be done to address the rights of LGBTQ members and to integrate them into society. It begins by reengineering society.&nbsp;

The LGBTQ community has existed on the margins of society for centuries, not just because society has been unwilling to accept them, but also because their own family members have not done so. Creating an inclusive society in which LGBTQ members play a full role, starts with giving members of the community the courage to come out.&nbsp;

Inclusion of LGBTQ members into society can be facilitated by organisations, who reflect societal values. All stereotypes, norms and biases of a society shape and therefore are reflected in organisations, which conversely, can help reshape stereotypes, norms and biases and in turn reshape society.&nbsp;

This happens when they implement new policies, practices and encourage conversations that challenge stereotypes. Doing this changes the mindset of those working in organisations and therefore changes mindsets in society. Inclusion of LGBTQ members isn’t just about creating a more harmonious society; a recent US Chamber of Commerce report revealed that their inclusion benefits a company’s bottom line.&nbsp;

The report indicates that companies that adopt LGBTQ- inclusive policies, improve their financial standing and perform better than peer organisations that don’t. &nbsp;

The report cited a 2017 study that showed 80% of adult employees considered inclusiveness an important criterion when choosing an employer. When given the option to work with an employer that had inclusive policies and one who did not, employees would join the former.&nbsp;

About 72% of respondents in the study said they would leave their organisation for one that was more inclusive. Clearly, talented people want to work in inclusive companies.&nbsp;

However, despite greater inclusiveness of LGBTQ members, half of them continue to remain closeted even in the United States. &nbsp;

Thankfully, some organisations have created groups in which members of the LGBTQ community speak about their expectations, as well as their pleasant and unpleasant experiences.

Firms must open discussions around adoption policies for same-sex couples, insurance for same-sex couples, how to make complete healthcare available to LGBTQ members and finally discussions around how to cultivate tolerance and respect for these members.&nbsp;

Often, intolerance stems from a lack of awareness. For instance, heterosexual men or women may fear to engage a gay or lesbian out of fear of being hit on.&nbsp;

Among company leaders, there is a need for discussing supportive infrastructure, like washrooms for example, for the third gender. Transsexuals and queers have such needs and it is an organisation’s responsibility to fulfil them.&nbsp;

In India, the introduction of the Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Bill in 2016, was a step in the right direction. It prohibits discrimination against a transgender in areas like education, healthcare and employment.&nbsp;

As per the Bill, forcing a transgender person to beg, denying them access to a public place, or physically or sexually abusing them will lead to imprisonment up to two years and a fine.&nbsp;

The LGBTQ community’s inclusion into every facet of society is a journey, which cannot be considered complete with simply revoking Section 377. Society and organisations must be encouraged to take concrete steps to ensure the journey continues smoothly and there is an urgent need to move beyond lip service to reshaping societal outlook. 
 
(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-organisations-take-the-lead-2790520">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

September 2018 was a watershed moment for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) community. That month, Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was revoked, thereby decriminalising homosexuality.

September 2018 was a watershed moment for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) community. That month, Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was revoked, thereby decriminalising homosexuality. This development has been long in the making and every member of the LGBTQ community should take pride that their right to have same-sex relationships cannot be infringed upon. While the revocation was a progressive step, the societal outlook cannot be changed overnight simply with the annulment of a century-old law. The subject of LGBTQ rights still stirs up discomforting emotions in a large number of people. Such unease concerning LGBTQ members is plainly visible in the Indian corporate space. Indian companies and organisations’ openness in relation to the LGBTQ community falls along a continuum. Some organisations are willing to create employee groups for members of the LGBTQ community and formulate LGBTQ-friendly policies such as facilitating surrogacy and adoption. Some companies also have policies such as medical coverage for sex change of an LGBTQ member. On the other side of the continuum are companies that proclaim they’re not against LGBTQ members or their inclusion into society, but nonetheless are unwilling to openly declare that they want to facilitate inclusion of such members. The question that arises is this: why is there any discomfort at all regarding the LGBTQ community? The obvious answer is that since childhood, children are taught to mock lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals and queers. Social conditioning runs deep and those inculcated since childhood remains rooted when children grow into adults. Children are taught to refer to a heterosexual man as straight, yet what is it that makes a heterosexual man straight and a homosexual man not straight or perhaps crooked? Why is the quality of being straight bestowed only on heterosexual men and not on homosexual men? Social conditioning dictates who is straight and who isn’t. Social conditioning is why it’s unremarkable when a man hits on a woman while heterosexual men display extreme discomfort when a man hits on them. Unlike laws that can be changed overnight, long-ingrained social conditioning cannot be changed as easily. Hence much needs to be done to address the rights of LGBTQ members and to integrate them into society. It begins by reengineering society. The LGBTQ community has existed on the margins of society for centuries, not just because society has been unwilling to accept them, but also because their own family members have not done so. Creating an inclusive society in which LGBTQ members play a full role, starts with giving members of the community the courage to come out. Inclusion of LGBTQ members into society can be facilitated by organisations, who reflect societal values. All stereotypes, norms and biases of a society shape and therefore are reflected in organisations, which conversely, can help reshape stereotypes, norms and biases and in turn reshape society. This happens when they implement new policies, practices and encourage conversations that challenge stereotypes. Doing this changes the mindset of those working in organisations and therefore changes mindsets in society. Inclusion of LGBTQ members isn’t just about creating a more harmonious society; a recent US Chamber of Commerce report revealed that their inclusion benefits a company’s bottom line. The report indicates that companies that adopt LGBTQ- inclusive policies, improve their financial standing and perform better than peer organisations that don’t. The report cited a 2017 study that showed 80% of adult employees considered inclusiveness an important criterion when choosing an employer. When given the option to work with an employer that had inclusive policies and one who did not, employees would join the former. About 72% of respondents in the study said they would leave their organisation for one that was more inclusive. Clearly, talented people want to work in inclusive companies. However, despite greater inclusiveness of LGBTQ members, half of them continue to remain closeted even in the United States. Thankfully, some organisations have created groups in which members of the LGBTQ community speak about their expectations, as well as their pleasant and unpleasant experiences. Firms must open discussions around adoption policies for same-sex couples, insurance for same-sex couples, how to make complete healthcare available to LGBTQ members and finally discussions around how to cultivate tolerance and respect for these members. Often, intolerance stems from a lack of awareness. For instance, heterosexual men or women may fear to engage a gay or lesbian out of fear of being hit on. Among company leaders, there is a need for discussing supportive infrastructure, like washrooms for example, for the third gender. Transsexuals and queers have such needs and it is an organisation’s responsibility to fulfil them. In India, the introduction of the Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Bill in 2016, was a step in the right direction. It prohibits discrimination against a transgender in areas like education, healthcare and employment. As per the Bill, forcing a transgender person to beg, denying them access to a public place, or physically or sexually abusing them will lead to imprisonment up to two years and a fine. The LGBTQ community’s inclusion into every facet of society is a journey, which cannot be considered complete with simply revoking Section 377. Society and organisations must be encouraged to take concrete steps to ensure the journey continues smoothly and there is an urgent need to move beyond lip service to reshaping societal outlook. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Section 377 verdict: One year on, much more societal work still needs to be done

Bisexual, gay, and lesbian adults are more likely to experience psychological distress and engage in unhealthy behaviors, possibly as a result of being the target of discrimination, according to a study published on Monday. 
 
The study in the US medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine analyzed the results of the 2013 and 2014 National Health Interview Survey, which for the first time included a question on sexual orientation. 
 
&quot;Findings from our study indicate that LGB adults experience significant health disparities -- particularly in mental health and substance use -- likely due to the minority stress that LGB adults experience as a result of their exposure to both interpersonal and structural discrimination,&quot; the study said. 
 
The analysis showed that 40.1 per cent of bisexual men and 25.9 per cent of gay men reported moderate or severe levels of psychological distress, compared to 16.9 per cent of heterosexual men. 
 
Heavy drinking was reported by 10.9 per cent of bisexual men, compared with 5.7 per cent for heterosexual men and 5.1 per cent for gay men. 
 
Rates of heavy smoking were also highest among bisexual men at 9.3 per cent, compared to 6.2 per cent for gay men and 6 per cent for heterosexual men. 
 
Among women, 46.4 per cent of bisexuals and 28.4 per cent of lesbians reported moderate and severe psychological distress, compared with 21.9 per cent of heterosexual women. 
 
Bisexual women also had the highest rates of heavy alcohol consumption, 11.7 per cent, compared with 8.9 per cent for lesbians and 4.8 per cent for heterosexual women. 
 
Heavy smoking was most prevalent among lesbian women at 5.2 per cent, followed by bisexual women at 4.2 per cent. The rate among heterosexual women was 3.4 per cent. 
 
The negative findings for bisexual adults may be linked to their &quot;marginalisation&quot; by heterosexuals and &quot;stigma&quot; from gays and lesbians, according to the study, led by Gilbert Gonzales of Vanderbilt University. 
 
JAMA Internal Medicine deputy editor Mitchell Katz wrote in an editor&#39;s note that it&#39;s important for medical professionals to ask patients open-ended questions. 
 
&quot;For example, asking a new patient whether he or she has sex with men, women or both indicates openness and acceptance&quot;, he said. 
 
&nbsp;&quot;In caring for people who have experienced bias and discrimination, support is a very potent medicine.&quot; 
 
The study compared responses from 525 lesbian, 624 gay and 515 bisexual adults with those of 67,150 heterosexual peers. The average age of participants was nearly 47. 
 
(AFP)

The negative findings for bisexual adults may be linked to their 'marginalisation by heterosexuals and 'stigma' from gays and lesbians

Bisexual, gay, and lesbian adults are more likely to experience psychological distress and engage in unhealthy behaviors, possibly as a result of being the target of discrimination, according to a study published on Monday. The study in the US medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine analyzed the results of the 2013 and 2014 National Health Interview Survey, which for the first time included a question on sexual orientation. "Findings from our study indicate that LGB adults experience significant health disparities -- particularly in mental health and substance use -- likely due to the minority stress that LGB adults experience as a result of their exposure to both interpersonal and structural discrimination," the study said. The analysis showed that 40.1 per cent of bisexual men and 25.9 per cent of gay men reported moderate or severe levels of psychological distress, compared to 16.9 per cent of heterosexual men. Heavy drinking was reported by 10.9 per cent of bisexual men, compared with 5.7 per cent for heterosexual men and 5.1 per cent for gay men. Rates of heavy smoking were also highest among bisexual men at 9.3 per cent, compared to 6.2 per cent for gay men and 6 per cent for heterosexual men. Among women, 46.4 per cent of bisexuals and 28.4 per cent of lesbians reported moderate and severe psychological distress, compared with 21.9 per cent of heterosexual women. Bisexual women also had the highest rates of heavy alcohol consumption, 11.7 per cent, compared with 8.9 per cent for lesbians and 4.8 per cent for heterosexual women. Heavy smoking was most prevalent among lesbian women at 5.2 per cent, followed by bisexual women at 4.2 per cent. The rate among heterosexual women was 3.4 per cent. The negative findings for bisexual adults may be linked to their "marginalisation" by heterosexuals and "stigma" from gays and lesbians, according to the study, led by Gilbert Gonzales of Vanderbilt University. JAMA Internal Medicine deputy editor Mitchell Katz wrote in an editor's note that it's important for medical professionals to ask patients open-ended questions. "For example, asking a new patient whether he or she has sex with men, women or both indicates openness and acceptance", he said. "In caring for people who have experienced bias and discrimination, support is a very potent medicine." The study compared responses from 525 lesbian, 624 gay and 515 bisexual adults with those of 67,150 heterosexual peers. The average age of participants was nearly 47. (AFP)

Lesbians, gays, bisexuals experience significant health disparities: study

lesbians

Lesbians, News on Lesbians, stories on Lesbians, articles on Lesbians, Lesbians stories at Wion, Lesbians news, Lesbians latest news