‘Incredible victory' MI lifts ban on paid surrogacy, clears barriers
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — For decades, Michigan's anti-surrogacy policies have been among the nation's most restrictive.
It was a felony to pay a surrogate to carry an embryo, and couples fortunate enough to secure an uncompensated surrogate were often required to formally adopt their own biological children after birth.
It was 2019 when Target 8 first introduced you to a that was forced to endure the costly and invasive process of adopting their twins, created through in vitro fertilization, from the gestational surrogate who carried them on the couple's behalf.
W. MI parents denied legal rights to their babies due to outdated law
In the years since, a grassroots effort led by parents who endured the state's antiquated policies has pushed hard for change. On Tuesday, their efforts paid off when the Michigan Family Protection Act went into effect.
The act lifted the ban on paid surrogacy and removed barriers for couples who want to grow their families through IVF and gestational surrogacy.
In many cases, medical conditions preclude the parents from carrying an embryo to term, making gestational surrogacy their only option to produce children.
Michigan the 'worst' for couples seeking surrogacy
Nine bills comprise the act, which also makes it easier and less costly to ensure proper recognition of parentage at birth.
'This is an incredible victory for all Michigan families formed through assisted reproduction, including IVF and surrogacy and for LGBTQ+ families,' said Stephanie Jones, founder of the Michigan Fertility Alliance, a leader in the push to modernize the state's outdated surrogacy stance. 'With this law, all Michigan families will now have equitable access to safe and secure parent-child relationships, and our state will have legal safeguards for family building through surrogacy, protecting all involved — parents, children and surrogates.'
legalize and regulate paid surrogacy and ensure fair compensation and legal representation for gestational surrogates, according to a news release from the Office of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Fighting for surrogacy in MI, couples share their infertility stories
'The package repeals an unjust ban that made Michigan the only state in the nation to criminalize surrogacy contracts, and better protects surrogates, parents and children so that more Michiganders have the support they need to start a family,' said Whitmer in the release. 'The Michigan Protection Act takes common sense, long overdue action to repeal Michigan ban on surrogacy, protect family formed by IVF, and ensure LGBTQ+ parents are treated equally.'
To act as a gestational surrogate, a woman must be at least 21 years old, have given birth at least once, undergone comprehensive medical and mental health screening and been assigned an independent lawyer to ensure their rights are protected.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Fox News
2 hours ago
- Fox News
USA Fencing changes policies that prioritized LGBTQ-friendly states, prevented playing of national anthem
USA Fencing's board of directors voted to amend its current policy that prioritized states with LGBTQ-friendly laws for host sites for competitions and a policy that prevented the playing of the national anthem at some events. The decision comes after months of criticism for punishing a woman fencer who refused to fence a trans opponent, which included scrutiny from federal lawmakers at a congressional hearing in early May. The changes were voted into effect at a board of directors meeting on Saturday. An official announcement states that USA Fencing "adopted a streamlined policy that applies criteria prioritizing cost, safety and convenience to every national-event bid across all 50 states." The new policy "ensures host cities meet stringent member-safety and cost-efficiency standards." Meanwhile, the board's new national anthem policy will go into effect at the 2025 Summer Nationals and will be reviewed annually by the tournament committee. "On recommendation of the tournament committee, the board adopted a uniform national anthem policy governing all USA Fencing national events," the announcement said, adding that the new policy will "provide consistent, respectful minimum guidance for honoring the flag and anthem across nine annual tournaments." Back in December, the board held a vote to play the national anthem at the start of tournaments before "all NACs and National Championships," but it was voted against 8-2 with one abstention. The previous host site policy, which was announced in November 2022, gave preference when selecting host cities for national tournaments to states without laws that "harm members of LGBTQ communities" and states that do not "have laws undermining the reproductive health of women." That policy went into effect in the 2023 season, the same year it changed its gender policy. It later released a list of states that it intended to "avoid where possible" and the states that it flat out would not allow hosting major events. The states on the "do not allow" list were Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas. The states on its "avoid where possible" list included Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming, Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. The previous policy became one of the organization's biggest points of criticism after fencer Stephanie Turner ignited global backlash against the organization when she recorded a video of her kneeling in protest of a trans opponent during a competition in Maryland in late March. The footage went viral amid news that Turner was disqualified from the event and dealt a black card for refusing to fence. The controversy was then the subject of a federal hearing on May 7. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Subcommittee's "Unfair Play: Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" saw Turner testify against USA Fencing chair Damien Lehfeldt. Lehfeldt took harsh criticism from Republican lawmakers for the organization's transgender inclusion and host site selection policies. DOGE Subcommittee Chairwoman Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., called out the organization for its host city policy. "In selecting sites for its national fencing events, for instance, the board policy is to avoid states whose laws and policies on LGBTQ rights and abortion it opposes. It uses 'Equality Maps' to determine which states to blacklist from its competitions, and which to favor," Greene said. "This ends up favoring a lot of blue states and harming a lot of red ones. So, it creates politically-determined winners and losers — but it has absolutely nothing to do with fencing. And it contradicts USA Fencing's statutory duty as an NGB to 'develop interest and participation throughout the United States' in fencing." USA Fencing also announced that it is preparing to change its current policy that allows trans athletes to compete in the women's category back in April. "In the event that USA Fencing is forced to change its current stance in accordance with oversight bodies or federal legislation, the new policy states athletes competing in USA Fencing-sanctioned tournaments must compete according to their biological sex," the announcement read. The proposed updated policy ensures that the women's category "will be open exclusively to athletes of the female sex." The men's category "will be open to all other athletes who are otherwise eligible for competition." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Health Line
4 hours ago
- Health Line
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Being horny is a natural part of human sexuality, but it can sometimes bring up unwanted feelings when you're trying to concentrate on work or something else. Feelings of sexual desire can also trigger a more distressing internal experience for some people. You might, for example, have feelings of guilt or shame if you grew up absorbing messages such as: sex outside of marriage is wrong only men and women should have sex with each other women who enjoy sex are 'sluts' None of the above statements is true, but frequent exposure to them can stick with you. When you experience sexual thoughts that go against them, you might feel bad about those feelings and want to make them go away. First, it's natural to think about sex Remember those myths above? They're fairly common, so plenty of people grew up hearing and internalizing them. This kind of messaging can make thoughts about sex particularly distressing if you: are a woman are unmarried are not cisgender are not heterosexual But here's the truth about sex: It's both natural and healthy when practiced by consenting adults. Thinking about sex is also completely natural, even if you seem to do it at odd times (when you're grocery shopping, for example). It can be useful, too, since it lets you know who you're attracted to and can help you decide when you want to have sex with someone. Of course, not everyone feels sexual desire, and that's natural and healthy, too. It's important to let go of stigma and unlearn stereotypes Ideas around sexual desire and arousal are often deeply entrenched in outdated stereotypes and myths. LGBTQIA+ myths Research has debunked many stereotypes around people who are LGBTQIA+ and sexual desire, including: Queer people have very high sex drives. Gay men have very high sex drives but don't want relationships. Queer people have sex 'obsessions.' LGBTQIA+ people (like everyone else) can have varying levels of interest in sex. Men vs. women myths Other stereotypes include the idea that men have a higher libido than women. Some older research supports this idea, but keep in mind: Some men may think about sex more often, but this generalization doesn't hold for everyone. Very little research has explored high sexual interest in women, and a lack of evidence isn't the same thing as conclusive proof. Even if men dohave higher sex drives than people of other genders, people of other genders can still enjoy sex, want to have sex, and think about sex often. Plus, 2016 research suggests that heterosexual women have more interest in sex than their partners believe. How to accept sexual feelings There are certainly times when sexual thoughts can be frustrating or distracting (more on how to handle this later). But it's important to accept them for what they are: a natural part of the human experience for many people. Increase your exposure Reading books or watching TV shows and movies featuring characters who have similar sexual desires to yours may help you feel a bit more comfortable. It's not always easy to find content like this, but positive media portrayals of sexually empowered women and queer people are increasing. You don't have to turn to erotica or porn for exposure (unless you want to!). It's absolutely possible to relate to sexy scenes that never get explicit. However, porn can be a safe (and healthy) way for adults to explore new interests and desires, so there's no need to feel embarrassed or ashamed if it feels helpful to you. Talk about your feelings It can feel a little awkward to talk about sex, especially if you're still adjusting to your sexuality. It's not uncommon to completely avoid conversations about sexuality, horniness, and related topics, even with a sexual partner. You should never feel forced to have conversations about sex. Talking with people you trust can be eye-opening, though, as you might find they have similar feelings (and maybe worry about the same things). It may help to jot down some notes or review what you want to say. For example, if you're going to talk with a partner, write down the kinds of sexual activity you think about and might want to try. Try masturbation If you grew up thinking masturbation was sinful or didn't hear much about it one way or the other, you probably never learned that masturbation is both natural and healthy. This could leave you with some feelings of shame or confusion around getting off. Gender-specific terms for genitals can also complicate masturbation for some transgender or nonbinary people if they feel somewhat disconnected from body parts that don't match their internal sense of self. Masturbation can have a lot of benefits, though, beyond sexual release. It can help you get more comfortable with your body and learn more about how you like to be touched. Not sure where to start? Check out this guide to solo sex for people of all anatomies. Tips for bringing your focus back If sexual thoughts are making it hard to concentrate on the task at hand, these strategies can help you redirect your mind. Set the thoughts aside for later When horny thoughts come up, acknowledge them briefly and then mentally set them aside. This doesn't mean you reject or suppress the thought, which can lead to feelings of guilt or shame later on. By accepting the thought and committing to exploring it later, you're validating that thought and your needs. 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Miami Herald
5 hours ago
- Miami Herald
In Trump's America, Wilton Manors Pride learns who its real allies are
Backstage at Georgie's Alibi Monkey Bar, a popular LGBTQ club in Wilton Manors, Jacob Smith carefully removed his gravity-defying, bejeweled blonde wig and light pink costume. The 29-year-old dabbed sweat from his forehead and tried to catch his breath after lip syncing to the Black Eyed Peas. He moved to South Florida from Iowa six months ago and is still getting used to the heat. Smith, also known as drag queen Barbie D., quit his corporate job, packed up his wig business and drove 23 hours straight down to South Florida where — unlike in Iowa — the local LGBTQ community is 'so alive and fearless and proud.' But while Smith has been chasing his dreams performing at local bars and selling custom-made wigs, he said President Donald Trump's policies and 'anti-woke' agenda have really taken a toll on him, his business and his community. 'It's sort of like a deer in headlights,' Smith said backstage as the crowd cheered for a performer in the bar. 'It feels like there's this immovable force coming towards us as a community.' In Wilton Manors, a small city near Fort Lauderdale known as South Florida's gay neighborhood, LGBTQ community members say Pride Month feels different this year under Trump's second administration. Many describe an underlying sense of fear for what may come next, especially as LGBTQ non-profits and institutions are at risk of losing funding, both from the government and from corporations who have walked back diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. And this is coming from a community that already dealt with an onslaught from Gov. Ron DeSantis over the past three years. In Florida, the LGBTQ community has faced lawsuits over drag shows and the so-called 'don't say gay' policies in public schools. The governor faced backlash on Thursday when his statement on the anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting did not mention LGBTQ and Hispanic communities, despite the fact that the shooter targeted the gay nightclub during 'Latin Night.' Pride Month, which commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, is typically marked by parties, festivals, parades and drag shows. But this year, as Wilton Manors prepares for its 25th annual Pride parade and festival on Saturday, organizers and community members say the celebration has taken on a whole new meaning. 'I'm really hearing from the community how much more significant these celebrations are,' said Jameer Baptiste, the Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival president. 'Throughout the years, you notice that people are here to celebrate and have fun, and the message that was once the prominent understanding of why [Pride] started gets lost in the fun and celebration of it all. But this year, you're hearing that this is more than just a celebration. This is a moment of solidarity and a show of unity to the public.' Serving the community despite setbacks More than 50,000 people are expected at the Wilton Manors Pride block party, filling six Wilton Manor city blocks with vendors, food and entertainment from 3 to 11 p.m. on Saturday. At 8 p.m., the Glow Night Parade will feature glow-in-the-dark floats and vehicles lighting up the streets. The festivities, which cost $1 million, are funded by a number of sponsors, like the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Absolut. But this year, Baptiste said, the event lost about a third of its typical corporate sponsors. The lack of support is significant, he said, especially when the security bill alone is six figures. Trump signed an executive order the day after he was sworn into office that rescinded the federal government's DEI policies and encouraged the private sector to do the same. LGBTQ advocates say the Trump administration's anti-DEI stance has deterred some corporations and brands from recognizing Pride month. 'To see corporations that once were excited to be part of our experience and our celebration are no longer part of that does leave a bitter taste in the mouth,' Baptiste said. Corporate support at Pride events has been a hot button issue in years past, with some community members arguing against the commercialization of Pride given its origins as a protest. Others warned that corporate support of LGBTQ rights may be superficial and purely for financial gain. 'Some of those individuals feel validated now,' Baptiste said. 'Was it a good thing that [corporations] are coming in or are they just coming in for the rainbow dollars? You're actually seeing that play out in front of your eyes,' Baptiste said. 'Because of what's going on, there are some corporations that are like, 'No, our commitment to the LGBT community is solid, regardless what may come out of it.' And then there's other ones that are like, 'We can't take the risk.'' SunServe, a Wilton Manors LGBTQ non-profit that offers free mental health and social services, is in the same boat, said CEO Tony Lima. Traditional corporate support for the organization dropped by 40 percent this year. And if the president's sweeping 'big beautiful bill' comes to fruition, SunServe will 'lose our housing focus completely,' Lima said. About 1,000 South Floridians benefit from SunServe's housing services. Now, Lima said he and his team have to get creative to ensure its services for the 4,000 clients SunServe aids each year. Need for the group's mental health services increased 'exponentially' in the last six months because of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and political policies, Lima said. 'What in the past has been political rhetoric is becoming real life, palpable attacks on our community,' Lima said. 'There's 100 people walking with us or on our [Pride] float that are really interested in not only celebrating Pride, but also showing that we're here and we're not going anywhere. We're not scurrying away because this administration doesn't have a tolerance for us.' Other local LGBTQ cultural institutions and non-profits have had to lean in on community support as corporate funding dries up. Earlier this year, the Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library in Fort Lauderdale was abandoned by its usual corporate sponsors leading up to its fundraising gala on March 1. The museum had also lost state funding when Gov. Ron DeSantis cut all arts and culture grants last year and support from federally-funded foundations. After news reports of the museum's woes, individual donors sold out tickets to the gala. 'Lots of organizations are hurting for money, but they're still going to come out big for Pride,' said Robert Kesten, the Stonewall Museum executive director. 'I think that people are very excited about Pride, but people are tentative. There's so much uncertainty.' Kesten said his main concern this Pride Month is 'preserving our democracy' to safeguard the rights of all marginalized groups. He's heard a lot of talk among the LGBTQ community about next year's midterm elections and serious concerns over the safety of transgender people, especially transgender women of color. 'You're only as safe as your weakest link,' he said. Parties and protests On the first Sunday of every month at Georgie's Alibi a new party encourages South Florida's transgender community to leave their problems at the door — at least for a couple hours. 'When we leave this club, when we leave this show, we're all going to worry about if you can get your documents updated, if you can access your hormones, if you'll still be able to do this, do that,' said Ariesela Diaz, a transgender woman, Miami drag performer and producer of Transtasy, a monthly drag show featuring transgender performers. 'But for right now, for these two hours, we're going to enjoy each other's company and be a family.' Diaz, 25, said her life is a testament to the power of community in hard times. Born and raised in Miami, Diaz started doing drag when she was 21 and living with her grandmother. But after her grandmother's death, she couldn't afford rent and became homeless. She performed in drag to survive, eventually moving into a spare room with friends she considers her chosen family. With hard work and community support, Diaz and her drag sister were able to get their own apartment and car. Now, Diaz is producing two regular shows: Doll Linkup in at Villain Theater in Little Haiti every Friday and Transtasy, the first show of its kind in Wilton Manors. Both shows have been a success, she said. Even when Transtasy falls on the first of the month when rent is due, supporters still show up to party. The drag shows have also been an opportunity for transgender folks to find nonprofits and resources may they need, Diaz said. The Transtasy and Doll Link Up performers often text each other information on everything from free food to clothing. 'You never know what girl needs what,' Diaz said. 'What I've learned is the importance of trans visibility. We share our stories to create understanding,' Diaz said. 'Dolls can do anything. We're not going anywhere. Sharing my experiences and my struggles and my wins with everybody has really gotten me into new spaces I've never been before.' Sin Silva, the Alibi show producer, said that while LGBTQ community members feel frustrated with the Trump administration, Wilton Manors Pride is an opportunity to uplift each other. 'With us queer people, we are always going to fight. We're always going to push and shove and make sure that we are celebrating each other and who we are,' Silva said. 'And we should always be doing that, with or without Trump, we need to be strong together and taking care of each other.' Standing backstage at Georgie's Alibi, finally catching his breath after performing as Barbie D., Smith agreed. 'Don't forget why we have Pride, because the previous generation before us fought for this, and it wasn't pretty,' he said. 'We have to be ready to do that at any moment. That moment may be now.' Smith won't be able to make it to the festival in Wilton Manors, though. He'll be at an anti-Trump protest instead. If you go What: Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival When: 3 p.m. - 11 p.m. June 14. Parade starts at 8 p.m. Tickets: $13 at door. $10 for pre-sale available online at Info:
