top of page
marriage_edited.jpg

On 9 December 2017 marriage equality was introduced in Australia.

MARRIAGE
AdobeStock_142764252_edited.jpg

Whilst changing your name through marriage is not compulsory, it’s a custom that still occurs today.

SURNAMES
AdobeStock_268882949_edited.jpg

Becoming a parent is a huge and life-changing event no matter what your sexual orientation.

CREATING YOUR GAYBY BABY
AdobeStock_185305189_edited.jpg

You may have a friend or a relative of your partner who may be willing to donate sperm to you or enter into a co-parenting relationship.

SOURCING YOUR SPERM
legal parent_edited_edited.jpg

You can be a biological parent, but not a legal parent. Legal parent status emerges from the following situations.

ARE YOU A LEGAL PARENT?
AdobeStock_119654665_edited.jpg

An unknown donor has no legal rights or obligations to the child.

UNKNOWN DONOR RIGHTS
AdobeStock_101121728_edited.jpg

Before choosing a known donor, be aware that there have been recent cases where a known donor has requested and been granted legal rights to the child.

KNOWN DONORS 
AdobeStock_262897576_edited.jpg

An agreement between you, your partner and a donor is referred to as a donor agreement.

DONOR AGREEMENTS
AdobeStock_232378330.jpeg

It’s a good idea to think about embryos when doing your family planning.

WHO OWNS YOUR EMBRYOS?
AdobeStock_205792007_edited.jpg

For lesbians, IVF is a path to parenting that allows each partner to feel physically or biologically connected to their child.

IVF 
AdobeStock_121752764_edited.jpg

A lesbian foster carer takes on the role of a parent to the child for a period of time to make sure a child has a safe and loving home.

BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT
AdobeStock_234654061_edited.jpg

Not every lesbian or lesbian couple chooses to bear children.

ADOPTION
AdobeStock_166252280_edited.jpg

Almost all states now provide for lesbian partners to be listed as a “parent” or (other) “mother” on their child’s birth certificate.

BIRTH CERTIFICATES
AdobeStock_229141858_edited.jpg

It is important to select the person you want to make decisions for you if you were unable to make them for yourself. 

WILLS & MEDICAL INCAPACITY 
AdobeStock_274120405_edited.jpg

Like a will, health insurance is one of those things in life that we don’t always like to think about.

MEDICARE & HEALTH INSURANCE
AdobeStock_272945294_edited.jpg

Unfortunately domestic violence may occur in some lesbian relationships.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
AdobeStock_164502219 (1)_edited.jpg

Two mothers can now be listed on a child’s passport application, but you should research the laws of the country you are travelling to for safety reasons.

PASSPORTS & TRAVEL
AdobeStock_245759499_edited.jpg

It’s important to know what our rights are and how we might proceed should a situation arise.

EMPLOYMENT & DISRCRIMINATION
AdobeStock_253956032_edited.jpg

Like all couples, lesbian relationships don’t start out with the idea that they might end.

SEPARATION
AdobeStock_209217864_edited.jpg

If you need to get a Divorce, check out the resources here and whether you need a lawyer to assist.

DIVORCE
AdobeStock_168222001_edited.jpg

The primary considerations of the Family Court in looking at what is best for a child are...

FAMILY COURT
AdobeStock_245925037_edited.jpg

Child support is to assist one parent with the day-to-day expenses of raising a child

CHILD SUPPORT
AdobeStock_276369364_edited.jpg

Read the latest cases in the Family Court dealing with lesbian couples and donors.

CASE LAW
AdobeStock_227126114_edited.jpg

Read about lesbians who have created families in different ways.

DEFINITIONS
AdobeStock_146655311_edited.jpg

Surrogacy is an arrangement where a woman, known as the surrogate, agrees to carry a child in pregnancy for the intended parents.

SURROGACY
AdobeStock_205183884_edited.jpg

If you have been with your partner for a long time and have helped raise their child, then you may discuss adopting their child.

ADOPTING YOUR PARTNER'S CHILD
AdobeStock_177495932_edited.jpg

If you have used a sperm donor, then chances are your children will have donor siblings or 'diblings' in Australia and possibly overseas.

DONOR SIBLINGS
bottom of page