Lesbian fertility rights

Two California doctors endure an eight-year legal vendetta for declining to help bring a fatherless child into the world. In the case of the lesbians versus their doctors, the California State Supreme Court continued its war against religion by declaring that equality trumps liberty of conscience. But, contrary to the impression created in the media, the case of Guadalupe Benitez v. North Coast Woman’s Care is not over. The case still has to be tried. The Supreme Court’s ruling only means that the doctors cannot use religious liberty as a defense for violating the prohibition on sexual orientation discrimination.

The complaint against the doctors is simple: they have a policy of not performing artificial inseminations on unmarried women. Benitez and her allies in the gay rights movement find this offensive and wish it to be outlawed. I believe the doctors’ policy should not only be permitted, but positively celebrated, praised and supported by law.

That is because I believe that every child is entitled to a relationship with both of his or her biological parents. Children have a right to know and be known by both parents. Every child has a right to their genetic and social heritage. Every child is entitled to care, bonding and attachment with both parents.

That is because I believe that every child is entitled to a relationship with both of his or her biological parents. Children have a right to know and be known by both parents. Every child has a right to their genetic and social heritage. Every child is entitled to care, bonding and attachment with both parents.

Children cannot possibly defend these rights by themselves. Adult society must protect them by preventing harm, not through restitution after the fact. By the time a child is old enough to grasp that something of value has been withheld from him the damage has been done. He has gone through a significant part of his childhood without his father. That loss can not be restored.

So when Benitez demanded the use of fresh, non-frozen sperm from a friend, the doctors declined to participate. And for declining to participate, they have endured an eight-year legal vendetta, along with irreparable harm to their medical practice, their personal finances and their reputations.

But the doctors are in the right. Benitez and her army of left-wing lawyers are wrong. Children are entitled to a relationship with both of their parents. The state has no business helping mothers disrupt that most natural of relationships by creating artificial barriers between fathers and their children.

And to require each and every doctor to assist these women is more than cruel to the child. It is unjust to medical professionals who really deserve our respect and gratitude.

(Jennifer Roback Morse, PhD, is the Founder and President of the Ruth Institute.http://www.ruthinstitute.org/)