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INTERVIEW | Julian Clary
With an extended tour set in the diary, the costumes re-sequined and all the single audience members washed and sent to the stage, Julian talks about his show Position Vacant. Book your tickets now if you like glamour, nonsense and vulgarity.
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INTERVIEW | Dr Gad Lavy, The Surrogacy Doctor
Following on with our detailed surrogacy articles we chat with Dr Lavy from the New England Fertility centre who assists LGBT families from the UK to find a Surrogate in the US.
What is you’re involvement in the surrogacy process for couples?
The third party reproduction team at New England fertility institute and I have been assisting LGBT families for over 15 years to have babies. I usually meet with couples initially either in person or via Skype.
How would a gay couple who’ve decided they would like to have a child go about starting the process?
We explain the entire process, and how the couple will find both a surrogate mum and an egg donor. A good start would be to attend one of our group meetings.
How many couples from the UK each year start the surrogacy process?
We have many couples from all over Europe, including the UK, travel to the US every year.
Does it become a more complex process for UK couples who wish to have a Surrogate from the US?
We always work side by side with an attorney versed in reproductive law. This attorney will assure the couple that the baby can be brought home safely and within the legal requirements of the home country of the intended parent dads
What would happen to the couple’s rights if the surrogate decided to keep the baby?
It is not possible for the surrogate to keep the baby. Hundreds of babies are born through surrogacy every year in the US. There has never been a case where the surrogate can become the legal parent.
If two men wished to have a child yet not know which was the biological father are they allowed to mix deposits in a kind of lottery?
Usually the biological dads each create a set of embryos. In many cases, the couple chooses to put an embryo from each dad into the uterus of the surrogate. 40-50 percent of those cases produce twins. It is sometimes necessary to do a DNA test on the child(ren) for legal purposes and birth certificate. An attorney must be consulted in all cases.
At what age does the child need to reach before the couple are allowed to bring him or her back to the UK?
The couple can usually bring their baby home no more than 30 days after the birth.
Is it harder for gay couples to find a surrogate in the US?
No it is not harder for gay couples to find a surrogate in the US. We work very closely with Circle Surrogacy, a gay friendly surrogacy agency located in Boston mass. They match up to 100 gay couples every year with American surrogates.
You cannot pay a woman to have a child for you in the UK whereas you can in the US. Is there an average price or donation for a surrogate mother?
The average compensation to a US surrogate is 20,000 dollars.
Does this increase if you require an egg donor and a surrogate mother?
The average cost to do the medical procedure using an egg donor and surrogate is about 40,000 dollars.
Once the child is delivered and the new fathers are back home in the UK, is there a support system to help answer the inevitable questions on how to raise the child?
Yes, both New England fertility and circle surrogacy have a network of gay families that can be of assistance with any questions regarding raising of children in a gay family home.
Do you ever keep in touch with the new families you’ve helped to create?
Yes of course we keep in touch with our families!
Where can people go to read more information about what you do and your services?
We always refer perspective parents to our website for more information: www.nefertility.com
Dr Lavy will next be in London on the 15th March 2013 where a group meeting will take place. To book your free place at the meeting click here.
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Out Star Frank Ocean Facing Legal Action By Producer
Frank Ocean is facing a law suit by a producer who claims he was denied of a credit for his work on the hit song ‘Lost.’
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La Manif Pour Tous Plans Demonstration In UKs Capital
The French anti-same sex marriage organisers of La Manif Pour Tous (Demo For All) are allegedly planning a demonstration in London on the 24th March 2013.
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RECIPE | Double Chocolate Sea Salt Brownies
The very best brownies I have tasted surprisingly have no flour. I have tried out so many brownie recipes over the years and I always find that flourless brownies are often times much nicer. You may wish to add some chocolate sauce, ice-cream or both but I like to keep it plain and simple.
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Peter Tatchell Criticises The Queen For “Disrespect” To LGBT Community
Peter Tatchell suggests Queen is ‘disrespectful’ for double standards, in PinkNews article. Does he have a point?
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MUSIC REVIEW | Luv Bomb
Australian Pop Princess Bowie Jane returns with new single Luv Bomb.
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COLUMN | Community Chest
This month our issue is dedicated to ‘Community’. I must admit that I don’t really like the word ‘community”. It conjures up lacklustre municipal buildings on rough estates where they engage youngsters in crafts (I hate that word too). So what about the gays: are we a community or just a disparate bunch of people with our own agendas and needs? (more…)
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Rylan Speaks Out Over Scherzinger’s Comments On Jonathan Ross Show
Rylan and Scherzinger – Claws Out!
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Will The Queen Address Anti-Gay Discrimination In Commonwealth Speech?
For the first time in Her Majesty’s 61 year reign, the Queen has signalled that she supports gay rights.
In a live television broadcast the British monarch will sign a new Commonwealth charter designed to stamp out discrimination against the LGBT community and promote the ‘empowerment’ of women. The broadcast has been described as a “watershed” moment.
The charter reads:
“We are implacably opposed to all forms of discrimination, whether rooted in gender, race, colour, creed, political belief or other grounds.”
The ‘other grounds’ clause within the charter is intended to refer to sexuality, however, the Daily Mail reports the terms gay and lesbian were omitted because some Commonwealth countries still have anti-gay laws.
A diplomatic source said:
A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace, said:
“In this charter, the Queen is endorsing a decision taken by the Commonwealth.”
But he added:
“The Queen does not take a personal view on these issues. The Queen’s position is apolitical, as it is on all matters of this sort.”
Ben Summerskill of Stonewall, said the Queen had taken “an historic step forward” on gay rights, and said “The Palace has finally caught up with public opinion.”
Homosexual acts are still illegal in 41 of the 54 Commonwealth Nations – and include penalties such as the death sentence in parts of Nigeria. Those found guilty of a homosexual act can expect life sentences in prison in Trinidad, Tobago, Malaysia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Bangladesh and Guyana.
Only five Commonwealth countries recognise same-sex relationships, the UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand.
The Queen will be joined by Beverly Knight, the Noisettes and Sir Richard Branson at a service at Westminster Abbey, before making her address.
