Homosexual couples are severely discriminated against in many countries. When it comes to having children, they hardly have any rights. Israel is now making a historic advance.
Jerusalem, Israel – Homosexual couples and single men in Israel have had a hard time trying to have children. Because they needed official permission if they wanted to hire a surrogate mother.
| country | Israel |
| Capital | Jerusalem |
| founding | May 14, 1948 |
| population | 9,053 million (2019) |
But that violates their human rights, ruled the country’s highest court. Same-sex couples and single men can now take advantage of surrogate motherhood without any obstacles; the previous exclusion must be lifted within the next six months. When it comes to donating blood, there is finally some relief for non-straight men
Surrogacy was the subject of litigation for ten years
The issue of surrogate motherhood for homosexual couples and single men in Israel was the subject of a legal battle for ten years that ended with the historic decision. “We cannot come to terms with the continued serious violation of human rights through the existing regulation of surrogacy,” writes judge Esther Hayut in her judgment.
Conservative, ultra-Orthodox MPs prevented the end of the discrimination
A year ago, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that parliament must end discrimination against same-sex couples and single men in surrogacy. But conservative, ultra-Orthodox MPs took a stand and prevented the end of the discrimination. In Argentina, a single gay man fought relentlessly to finally become a dad.
Surrogacy, i.e. bearing a child for other people, has been legal in Israel since 1996. However, initially only for heterosexual couples and later for single women to use this option for the fulfillment of their desire to have children.
Homosexual couples looked for surrogate mothers in other countries
Single men or homosexual couples who wanted to have children had to look for surrogate mothers in other countries such as India, Nepal, Thailand or the USA. An influencer chose a rather strange path: she had her child carried by her own mother.
The reactions to the new judgment in Israel are divided. The national religious member of parliament Bezalel Smotritsch criticized it sharply. Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz from the left-wing Meretz party, who is openly gay himself, welcomes the judgment and assured that his ministry would implement the decision. The Federal Court of Justice has already ruled on the subject of surrogacy.
Israel is one of the most tolerant countries in the Middle East.
In the recently formed eight-party governing coalition *, the topic could cause discussion, as the coalition covers a very broad political spectrum. Yet Israel is one of the most tolerant countries in the Middle East when it comes to gay rights. Several MPs are openly gay. * Kreiszeitung.de and 24hamburg.de are offered by IPPEN.MEDIA.
Rubriklistenbild: © picture alliance / dpa
