Legislation giving same-sex couples and civil partners equal recognition on their children’s birth certificates has reached its final stage and is expected to come into effect by the end of November.
Deputy Louise Doublet, who has campaigned for years to see the changes introduced, said she was “delighted” that the States Assembly approved the final stage of the law this week.
The politician, who previously led the work on the legislation, said that she had questioned Children’s Minister Richard Vibert, who said that the changes should come into force “around the final week of November”.
Campaigning on this has taught me that sometimes it takes many years to make change happen, and that human rights (especially for children) are always worth fighting for
Deputy Louise Doublet
The long-awaited changes will give same-sex parents the same legal recognition and responsibilities that heterosexual couples have long had – including both parents being named on their child’s birth certificate and automatic parental responsibility.
It will also provide legal clarity in cases involving surrogacy and assisted reproduction.
Deputy Doublet said the milestone was the result of a long campaign that began when she was made aware to the inequality by Kaye Nicholson from equality and diversity charity Liberate Jersey.
“It has been a very long road to get to this stage,” said Deputy Doublet.
“I first started campaigning on this issue many years ago when I was alerted to the inequity by Kaye Nicholson, who is now CEO of Liberate Jersey.
“I campaigned as a backbencher and managed to get this on the agenda of a previous government.
“Some progress was made but I had to continually push for it to be made a focus and for it not to be de-prioritised.”
She added: “For the 18 months that I was an Assistant Minister in the previous government, I was able to lead on the work myself, and the greatest progress was made during this time, to the point where I was able to sign the order to lodge the legislation.
“Campaigning on this has taught me that sometimes it takes many years to make change happen, and that human rights (especially for children) are always worth fighting for.”