The equality bill, with its provisions for churches to host civil partnerships, has cracked Westminster's veneer of tolerance
Anyone would think there's an election on the horizon. Jubilant Labour activists are delighted that David Cameron has been caught on camera – in an interview broadcast on Channel 4 News last night – appearing to prevaricate evasively not only over his dodgy European allies but also over whether he should have told his MPs and peers to back amendments to the new equality bill which will permit churches to host civil partnership ceremonies if they wish.
What short memories politicians have. Just three weeks ago it was the Labour party itself that refused to whip members of the House of Lords in support of this perfectly reasonable provision. Labour peers were subject to furious arm-twisting from cabinet ministers in a bid to frustrate a modest further step towards equality.
Consequently it was a heroic quartet of backbenchers, including Lord Alli, Lady Neuberger – "Which Jewish mother wouldn't want to see their child married in a synagogue?" – and the Tory peer Lady Noakes, who shamed the Lords into adopting this perfectly fair-minded proposal supported by Stonewall and others.
The Tories initially put up Lord Hunt of Wirral to explain their opposition. In the end, just like the government, the Conservatives gracelessly offered their peers a free vote.
Liberal Democrats, however cuddly, aren't immune from anti-gay spite. Yesterday the Roman Catholic peer Lady Williams also sought to move an amendment in the Lords that would have given adoption agencies the right to turn away homosexual clients. Her suggestion would have driven a coach and horses through the now settled principle of adoption, that it's solely the welfare of the child and not personal prejudices that should always come first. (You might think that if Lady Williams was motivated, as suggested, by the need to "protect children", the Roman Catholic church might have other priorities at present.)
The message seems pretty clear. Whatever parties tell gay voters they've done for them in the recent and distant past, ask what they'll be doing in the future. And don't make presumptions about individual candidates on the basis of their party allegiance either.
Stonewall's analysis of MPs' votes in the current parliament shows that George Osborne and Francis Maude have better recent voting records on gay equality than one in five Lib Dem MPs. And Kate Hoey, the least gay-friendly of all Labour MPs, has a voting record worse than more than 120 Conservatives.
All of which demonstrates that, however gay-friendly they are or claim to be, most politicians still lag sadly some years behind the progressive instinct of a decent British public. But then we, of course, are the one group of people whose voices won't get heard in the next six weeks at all.
Article by Ben Summerskill from www.guardian.co.uk
Read more about gay parenting options
Showing posts with label Looking for sperm donor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Looking for sperm donor. Show all posts
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Donate Sperm - "Sperm donation - Have you got the Balls?"
Sports players and fans are being targeted in a campaign to get more sperm donors to help couples struggling to conceive.
The National Gamete Donation Trust wants to increase the number of new donors in the UK to about 500, from its latest figure of 384.
Leaflets and posters are being sent to 30 sports clubs and venues in the pilot area of Greater Manchester. One in six couples in the UK struggles to conceive and some areas have waiting lists for those who need donor sperm.
In the UK there are hundreds of couples who need a sperm donor to help them conceive the child they long for so much, either because of infertility or genetic disease
Laura Witjens, from the National Gamete Donation Trust It is hoped that the sports theme of the posters will encourage more men to come forward.
One says: "Strong swimmers wanted" and another encourages volunteers with "Whatever your shape and size, couples need your help".
The number of new sperm donors dipped in the UK in 2004 to 224. The law changed in 2005, meaning egg and sperm donors did not have the right to anonymity.
But since then the number of new donors has increased with 384 registering in 2008.
The children of donors can trace their biological parents when they reach 18.
Donors are not paid, but can claim expenses.
Laura Witjens, chairwoman of the National Gamete Donation Trust, said: "In the UK there are hundreds of couples who need a sperm donor to help them conceive the child they long for so much, either because of infertility or genetic disease.
"These couples rely on men stepping forward as sperm donors."
In the latest figures from 2006, there were 5,000 cycles of fertility treatment in the UK which used donor sperm.
Pride Angel parenting website connection service aims as helping lesbian couples, single women and infertile couples achieve parenthood. Sperm donors and co-parents are able to donate directly to the woman or couple of their choice.
Members communicate safely by means of an internal messaging system to find their suitable match. Pride Angel also provides information on health screening, artificial insemination and legal rights with fertility law specialists giving advice through the Pride Angel Forum.
Read more about helping women and donating sperm directly at www.prideangel.com
The National Gamete Donation Trust wants to increase the number of new donors in the UK to about 500, from its latest figure of 384.
Leaflets and posters are being sent to 30 sports clubs and venues in the pilot area of Greater Manchester. One in six couples in the UK struggles to conceive and some areas have waiting lists for those who need donor sperm.
In the UK there are hundreds of couples who need a sperm donor to help them conceive the child they long for so much, either because of infertility or genetic disease
Laura Witjens, from the National Gamete Donation Trust It is hoped that the sports theme of the posters will encourage more men to come forward.
One says: "Strong swimmers wanted" and another encourages volunteers with "Whatever your shape and size, couples need your help".
The number of new sperm donors dipped in the UK in 2004 to 224. The law changed in 2005, meaning egg and sperm donors did not have the right to anonymity.
But since then the number of new donors has increased with 384 registering in 2008.
The children of donors can trace their biological parents when they reach 18.
Donors are not paid, but can claim expenses.
Laura Witjens, chairwoman of the National Gamete Donation Trust, said: "In the UK there are hundreds of couples who need a sperm donor to help them conceive the child they long for so much, either because of infertility or genetic disease.
"These couples rely on men stepping forward as sperm donors."
In the latest figures from 2006, there were 5,000 cycles of fertility treatment in the UK which used donor sperm.
Pride Angel parenting website connection service aims as helping lesbian couples, single women and infertile couples achieve parenthood. Sperm donors and co-parents are able to donate directly to the woman or couple of their choice.
Members communicate safely by means of an internal messaging system to find their suitable match. Pride Angel also provides information on health screening, artificial insemination and legal rights with fertility law specialists giving advice through the Pride Angel Forum.
Read more about helping women and donating sperm directly at www.prideangel.com
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Are the genes of Manchester United football fans in a different league to those of Manchester City fans? It’s a pertinent question because the NHS is out to recruit both groups as sperm donors.
The government is starting a pilot scheme in Manchester this month for a national sperm bank — and will target sports fans as potential donors. Fertility experts at St Mary’s hospital have been given funds to run the pilot scheme, which may lead to a national programme along the lines of the blood donation service.
Daniel Brison, professor of clinical embryology at the hospital’s department of reproductive medicine, said sporting events were a good place to find men who might be inclined to donate sperm.
“Approaching sports fans at football and cricket matches in Manchester is a way of accessing large numbers of men,” he said. “We might also get support from the sports clubs themselves. The idea is to make it easier to donate.”
The government has been keen to reverse a drop in sperm donations that has led fertility clinics to buy supplies from countries such as Denmark, prompting suggestions that a generation of blonde, blue-eyed British Vikings could be the result.
The number of sperm donors in the UK decreased after the government changed the law in 2005 to allow children born from donated gametes to learn the identity of their biological parents when they reach 18. Although the number of donors is now increasing, many place restrictions on its use — naming specific women who can use it, for example — which means fewer women are able to receive fertility treatment through anonymous donors.
Failings in the system have led some desperate couples to advertise for sperm donations on the internet. But the NHS believes a national service, which could courier sperm to clinics around the country, would boost stocks.
The move follows a recommendation from the British Fertility Society that a national programme should be funded by the Department of Health. A spokeswoman for the department said:
“The number of donors is improving in the UK, but there is still a shortage of sperm. We are funding a project which will pilot a model for managing sperm donation, to illustrate ways in which more effective and efficient use of available resources can be made.”
However, Dr Evan Harris, Liberal Democrat science spokesman, said: “Instead of spending patients’ money on advertising, the solution lies in restoring the option of anonymity.”
For more information on donating sperm goto http://prideangel.com/p1/home.aspx
www.prideangel.com
The government is starting a pilot scheme in Manchester this month for a national sperm bank — and will target sports fans as potential donors. Fertility experts at St Mary’s hospital have been given funds to run the pilot scheme, which may lead to a national programme along the lines of the blood donation service.
Daniel Brison, professor of clinical embryology at the hospital’s department of reproductive medicine, said sporting events were a good place to find men who might be inclined to donate sperm.
“Approaching sports fans at football and cricket matches in Manchester is a way of accessing large numbers of men,” he said. “We might also get support from the sports clubs themselves. The idea is to make it easier to donate.”
The government has been keen to reverse a drop in sperm donations that has led fertility clinics to buy supplies from countries such as Denmark, prompting suggestions that a generation of blonde, blue-eyed British Vikings could be the result.
The number of sperm donors in the UK decreased after the government changed the law in 2005 to allow children born from donated gametes to learn the identity of their biological parents when they reach 18. Although the number of donors is now increasing, many place restrictions on its use — naming specific women who can use it, for example — which means fewer women are able to receive fertility treatment through anonymous donors.
Failings in the system have led some desperate couples to advertise for sperm donations on the internet. But the NHS believes a national service, which could courier sperm to clinics around the country, would boost stocks.
The move follows a recommendation from the British Fertility Society that a national programme should be funded by the Department of Health. A spokeswoman for the department said:
“The number of donors is improving in the UK, but there is still a shortage of sperm. We are funding a project which will pilot a model for managing sperm donation, to illustrate ways in which more effective and efficient use of available resources can be made.”
However, Dr Evan Harris, Liberal Democrat science spokesman, said: “Instead of spending patients’ money on advertising, the solution lies in restoring the option of anonymity.”
For more information on donating sperm goto http://prideangel.com/p1/home.aspx
www.prideangel.com
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
Sperm Race Game
Have you ever thought about how difficult it is to become pregnant?
Ever wondered why sometimes you can fall pregnant and other times not!
Its not easy for the sperm to reach the egg, a womans natural defences try to kill the sperm along every step of its short life span.
Check out Pride Angel Sperm Race game to understand the obstacles sperm face, challenge your friends see if they can get to the end? Its not easy!
Click on the link below -
http://www.prideangel.com/p90/about-us/Sperm-Race-Game.aspx
Or Go to
www.prideangel.comClick
on the about us section
Click on the sperm race game
Light hearted fun with an eduactional twist!
Pride Angel
Ever wondered why sometimes you can fall pregnant and other times not!
Its not easy for the sperm to reach the egg, a womans natural defences try to kill the sperm along every step of its short life span.
Check out Pride Angel Sperm Race game to understand the obstacles sperm face, challenge your friends see if they can get to the end? Its not easy!
Click on the link below -
http://www.prideangel.com/p90/about-us/Sperm-Race-Game.aspx
Or Go to
www.prideangel.comClick
on the about us section
Click on the sperm race game
Light hearted fun with an eduactional twist!
Pride Angel
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Pride Angel Launch
A brand new worldwide donor connection website has launched. Pride Angel is the first website of its kind to aim towards the gay and lesbian community and was founded by a lesbian couple who have first-hand experience of known donor conception.
The creators of this social networking connection site, forum and blog are also professional scientists who are committed to giving their users all the necessary health screening advice and legal contacts needed.
"Many women wish to meet the sperm donor to find out a little more about their personality and characteristics. Some women are also looking for donors who would like to have occasional contact with the child like an 'uncle figure' in their lives, without the parental or financial responsibility. Gay and lesbian couples are also increasingly considering shared co-parenting arrangements. 'We believe that whatever the level of contact, it is beneficial to the child to know of the donor's identity, this openness from the beginning often leads to more contented and well balanced children and eventually adults," said Erika, the founder of Pride Angel.
The Pride Angel connection website is a professional user-friendly site with many unique features. It allows members to add their own personal profile as a sperm donor, egg donor, co-parent or recipient, and complete an optional on-line health questionnaire. Members communicate safely through an internal messaging system by means of message credits. Users can search the site by a quick or advanced search facility enabling users to narrow down searches by choosing a preferable characteristic such as eye colour or hair colour. The site has advanced functionality to prevent donors over-contacting recipients along with email reminders of the live birth donor law within the UK. The site is also constantly monitored to ensure all members are genuine.
Due to recent law changes and the introduction of the new parenting law, lesbian couples can now both be named on the birth certificate and take equal parental responsibility. This law also means that lesbian couples in civil partnerships can use known donors and be treated using IUI (inter-uterine insemination) rather than IVF. This new law allows men to donate sperm to a couple of their choice without the worry of being held financially responsible. Gay men also have the option of having definite contact with the child if agreed between everyone involved, through legal contact orders. There are now many legal options to suit different family situations, depending on who donors donate sperm to and what level of contact with the child they wish to have.
Members are advised to use HFEA regulated fertility clinics for treatment and to gain all the right legal advice regarding setting up written donor or co-parenting agreements from fertility law specialists.
JOIN NOW FOR FREE www.prideangel.com
The creators of this social networking connection site, forum and blog are also professional scientists who are committed to giving their users all the necessary health screening advice and legal contacts needed.
"Many women wish to meet the sperm donor to find out a little more about their personality and characteristics. Some women are also looking for donors who would like to have occasional contact with the child like an 'uncle figure' in their lives, without the parental or financial responsibility. Gay and lesbian couples are also increasingly considering shared co-parenting arrangements. 'We believe that whatever the level of contact, it is beneficial to the child to know of the donor's identity, this openness from the beginning often leads to more contented and well balanced children and eventually adults," said Erika, the founder of Pride Angel.
The Pride Angel connection website is a professional user-friendly site with many unique features. It allows members to add their own personal profile as a sperm donor, egg donor, co-parent or recipient, and complete an optional on-line health questionnaire. Members communicate safely through an internal messaging system by means of message credits. Users can search the site by a quick or advanced search facility enabling users to narrow down searches by choosing a preferable characteristic such as eye colour or hair colour. The site has advanced functionality to prevent donors over-contacting recipients along with email reminders of the live birth donor law within the UK. The site is also constantly monitored to ensure all members are genuine.
Due to recent law changes and the introduction of the new parenting law, lesbian couples can now both be named on the birth certificate and take equal parental responsibility. This law also means that lesbian couples in civil partnerships can use known donors and be treated using IUI (inter-uterine insemination) rather than IVF. This new law allows men to donate sperm to a couple of their choice without the worry of being held financially responsible. Gay men also have the option of having definite contact with the child if agreed between everyone involved, through legal contact orders. There are now many legal options to suit different family situations, depending on who donors donate sperm to and what level of contact with the child they wish to have.
Members are advised to use HFEA regulated fertility clinics for treatment and to gain all the right legal advice regarding setting up written donor or co-parenting agreements from fertility law specialists.
JOIN NOW FOR FREE www.prideangel.com
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