The case of the 'Sperm Donor'

A gay man who fathered children with a lesbian after placing an ad in Gay Times has become embroiled in an unprecedented custody battle.

The lesbian and her long-term partner, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have taken their case to the Court of Appeal after the sperm donor father won a shared residency order earlier this year, which allowed him to see his children for almost half the time

Yesterday the court heard that the 51-year-old man, a wealthy company director, placed an advert in the Gay Times newspaper in 1999, pleading to become a father.

It read: ‘Gay guy wants to be a dad. White, handsome, solvent 30s, professional in happy relationship, non-scene, has everything but kids.

‘Looking for a similar female couple who wants to have kids. I require a little involvement. I have a lot to offer.’

The lesbian couple replied and the children were conceived through artificial insemination.

Both women were happy for the father to have contact with the children, but have been their main carers since birth and considered themselves their parents, the court was told.

The case will be settled by the country’s most senior civil judge, Master of the Rolls Lord Neuberger, sitting with Lord Justice Patten and Lady Justice Black. The ruling is expected later this year.

What do you think?, Who should win?

GL :confused:

Well as far as caring goes the women should probably win out. Not being sexist or agreeing that mothers are always the best for kids but developmental studies have shown that lesbian parents are better at raisning kids and bettering their development than gay men are(or single mothers and possibly some straight families too)

The good thing is that the child actually has at least three parents who want him/her. I mean surely some middle ground could be found where the father could get acess possibly at the weekends and such.

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Originally Posted by Doozer

Well as far as caring goes the women should probably win out. Not being sexist or agreeing that mothers are always the best for kids but developmental studies have shown that lesbian parents are better at raisning kids and bettering their development than gay men are(or single mothers and possibly some straight families too)

The good thing is that the child actually has at least three parents who want him/her. I mean surely some middle ground could be found where the father could get acess possibly at the weekends and such.

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So the lesbians win...;)

GL

Looks like it

I mean the mother usually always gets custody, what chance has the guy have with two mothers?

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Originally Posted by Doozer

I mean the mother usually always gets custody, what chance has the guy have with two mothers?

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If he's a good father, shouldn't he have a fair chance of custody aswell?

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Originally Posted by Waterford Masseur

If he's a good father, shouldn't he have a fair chance of custody aswell?

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He should, but unfortunately that isnt how things usually work.:(

I see it as a case of two parents on one side and a sperm donor on the other side. I don't think the genders or sexuality of those involved matters one iota. This should be dealth with in the exact same way as if it were a male/female couple and a heterosexual male donor. The women raised the children, so they are the parents. If they want to have the donor/biological father involved, then it is up to them to decide the extent of that involvement taking into account the children's ages and also their best interest.

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Originally Posted by carlos marvado

I see it as a case of two parents on one side and a sperm donor on the other side. I don't think the genders or sexuality of those involved matters one iota. This should be dealth with in the exact same way as if it were a male/female couple and a heterosexual male donor. The women raised the children, so they are the parents. If they want to have the donor/biological father involved, then it is up to them to decide the extent of that involvement taking into account the children's ages and also their best interest.

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Yes, but it was the man who initiated the transaction/arrangement...


GL

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Originally Posted by Gaylord

Yes, but it was the man who initiated the transaction/arrangement...


GL

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True, but if a guy goes to a clinic and donates his sperm to a sperm bank, he could also be said to initiate the donation part of the arrangement. I take it no actual written contract was drawn up, so that they have a verbal agreement and if it's a case that no money was involved in the transaction, then it probably would'nt be regarded as a business transaction. One thing that is'nt clear from the piece is whether a clinic or sperm bank was involved as well or whether this was purely a private arrangement. I dont know what the law is in the UK, but as far as I am aware in Ireland, when the mother of a child is single, she has sole custodianship or guardianship of her child, though the father may be entitled to go to court to seek an order for joint guardianship. In this case, his case probably would not be very strong, as he was not in an actual relationship with the mother.

Nevertheless, it would be interesting to find out what the outcome of the case will be.