“Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else. Judge everyone and everything for yourself.” – Henry James
Balanced article about a California surrogate who delivered twins — one who was biologically hers.
General
Bad news for many same-sex male couples in Florida seeking to deduct expenses
Florida court decides that surrogacy expenses by same-sex Intended Parents are not tax deductible, despite equal protection arguments.
While this decision may not affect couples in other states, the case may be used as persuasive authority for any similar case against the IRS.
Morrissey v. United States, No. 8:15-cv-2736-T-26AEP, 2016 BL 447323 (M.D. Fla. Dec. 22, 2016).
Baby-Making Abbreviations
If you are new to the world of TTC (Trying to Conceive), you may feel like you have stumbled upon an entirely new world, complete with its own language. This handy little guide should help familiarize you with the commonly used abbreviations.(Click the image to see a larger view.)
Visit Ovulation Calculator’s original page.
Same Sex Partnership may become legal in Italy
One million Italians are openly gay or bisexual, or one in 60, according to a recent survey. But, the country’s laws do not reflect this reality. In fact, Italy is the largest European country that hasn’t yet legalized any form of same-sex life partnership. That may change this year.
This week, the Italian parliament considered a bill that could become the country’s first law on civil unions, providing health benefits, inheritance rights, and all the other rights usually reserved for heterosexual couples. It’s not marriage, but it’s a start.
The bill, in italiano.
Zika Virus Infection & Pregnancy
Pregnant woman are cautioned not to travel to a country where cases of Zika have been reported. And, since the list of those countries is growing daily, it’s recommended to check frequently for the most up-to-date recommendations: Zika Travel Notices
Most surrogacy contracts prohibit international travel once pregnant. However, the interesting question arises: If a woman who is not pregnant is bitten by a mosquito and infected with Zika virus, will her future pregnancies be at risk? The CDC says: “Zika virus usually remains in the blood of an infected person for only a few days to a week. The virus will not cause infections in an infant that is conceived after the virus is cleared from the blood. There is currently no evidence that Zika virus infection poses a risk of birth defects in future pregnancies. A women contemplating pregnancy, who has recently recovered from Zika virus infection, should consult her healthcare provider after recovering.”