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GLAD Law’s 44th Annual Summer Party

Saturday, July 26 |  4:00pm – 7:00pm | Provincetown, MA

Venue is mobility accessible. Exact location shared upon registration.

We hope that you can join us for an important conversation about GLAD Law’s national efforts to defend and advance LGBTQ+ rights and equality and protections for individuals living with HIV under this new administration. It will be a special afternoon of food, prizes, community, and inspiration.

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Event Information

Support GLAD Law’s Mission

YouTube video

This video was produced for GLAD Law’s 25th Spirit of Justice Award Dinner in November 2024. Follow GLAD Law’s most recent work and response to the new administration here.

To join our fabulous Host Committee or become a Sponsor and help make this event a success, contact our Assistant Director of Development, Josh Arsenault, at jarsenault@glad.org or call (617) 778-6714.

For event information or additional accommodations, please contact Michelle Peng, Individual Giving and Special Events Coordinator, at events@glad.org.

Tickets & Sponsorships

FAQ: Fees & Tipping

Covering the fees associated with your transaction is always optional! To opt out of covering the fees in the final step of your transaction, click the blue “Edit” text and uncheck the box labeled “Yes, cover the fees.”

Tipping our platform partner, Givebutter, is also optional! To opt out of tipping, go to the final payment screen of your transaction and click the percentage box in the “Add a tip to support Givebutter” section. Select “Other” and either leave the box blank or type in 0.

Why tip? Tips allow Givebutter to offer their service with no platform fees for the organizations who use it. This helps reduce the financial barriers for organizations to start fundraising!

FAQ: Promo Codes

If you are using a promo code, please add it during the first ticket selection step at the top of the form! Click “Add promo code,” type yours in, and click add!

Updated February 10, 2025

Moe v. Trump

GLAD Law, with NCLR and Lowenstein Sandler LLP,  represents a transgender woman in her case challenging a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) policy directed by President Trump which would override Prison Rape Elimination Act protections for vulnerable populations, including transgender women, and would terminate all medical care for gender dysphoria for incarcerated individuals.  

Maria Moe (a pseudonym to protect her safety) is a transgender woman who transitioned well before her initial arrest several years ago and has been housed exclusively in women’s facilities. As a result of the policy, which stems from a January 20, 2025, Executive Order issued by President Trump, Moe was at imminent risk of being moved to a men’s facility and having her necessary medical care withdrawn.

GLAD Law, NCLR, and Lowenstein Sandler LLP filed a complaint on January 26 in federal district court in Massachusetts. The court granted a temporary restraining order that same day ensuring that Moe would remain in the women’s facility and have access to medical care while the court considers further relief.

The complaint alleges that the policies required by the new executive order violate the Administrative Procedure Act because they are arbitrary and capricious and also directly conflict with a Prison Rape Elimination Act regulation requiring prison officials to make housing determinations based on an individualized assessment of safety and security. The complaint also alleges that the policies required by the new Executive Order are unconstitutional because they discriminate based on a person’s transgender status, in violation of the Equal Protection Clause, and violate the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. 

26th Annual Spirit of Justice Award Dinner

26th Annual Spirit of Justice Award Dinner

Thursday November 6, 2025  |  Downtown Boston, MA

Cocktail Reception at 6pm | Dinner & Speaking Program at 7pm | Dessert & Drinks at 8:30pm

GLAD Law’s 26th Annual Spirit of Justice Award Dinner is back to bring hope, inspire, and connect our community. The unforgettable gala unites supporters of LGBTQ+ legal rights and equality for an opportunity to find power in resistance and celebrate community leaders. Join us to learn about GLAD Law’s national efforts to defend and advance LGBTQ+ rights and protections under this new administration. 

Closed caption services provided. Venue is mobility accessible. Exact location is shared upon registration.

Support GLAD Law’s Mission

YouTube video

Video produced for GLAD Law’s 25th Spirit of Justice Award Dinner in November 2024. Follow GLAD Law’s most recent work and response to the new administration here.

Become an Individual Sponsor

To join our fabulous Host Committee or become a Sponsor and help make this event a success, contact our Assistant Director of Development, Josh Arsenault, at jarsenault@glad.org or call (617) 778-6714.

Become a Corporate Sponsor

For Corporate Sponsorship, contact Aria Pierce, Senior Manager of Institutional Giving, at apierce@glad.org or call or text (617) 778-6717.

Tickets & Sponsorships

If you are using a promo code, please add it during the ticket selection step at the top of the form! Click “Add promo code,” type yours in, and click add!

Covering the fees associated with your transactions is always optional! To opt out of covering the fees in the final step of your transaction, click the blue “Edit” text and uncheck the box labeled “Yes, cover the fees.”

Tipping our platform partner, Givebutter, is also optional! To opt out of tipping, go to the final payment screen of your transaction and click the percentage box in the “Add a tip to support Givebutter” section. Select “Other” and either leave the box blank or type in 0.

Why tip? Tips allow Givebutter to offer their service with no platform fees for the organizations who use it! This reduces the barriers for an organization to start fundraising.

For event information or additional accommodations, please contact Michelle Peng, Individual Giving and Special Events Coordinator, at events@glad.org.

Updated January 29, 2025

Gender X Marker | Massachusetts

In July 2024, the MA legislature amended state laws to streamline the process for updating gender on a birth certificate and to allow for X markers on birth certificates, marriage licenses, and other state forms. Below you can get answers to frequently asked questions regarding these changes.

What gender markers are allowed on MA birth certificates?

Gender markers on MA birth certificates include “female”, “male” and “X”.

Who can update the gender marker on their MA birth certificate?

A transgender person who is over the age of 18, an emancipated transgender minor, or the parent/guardian of a transgender minor may request to change the sex designation (gender marker) on their Massachusetts birth certificate.

Do I need a doctor’s note to update the gender marker on my MA birth certificate?

No. No medical or healthcare related documentation, court order, or proof of change of name will be required by a town clerk or other official regarding updating sex designation (gender marker) on a MA birth certificate.

What documentation is required?

A request for a change in the sex designation (gender marker) on a birth record needs to be accompanied by an affidavit (an affidavit is a written statement which you swear is true and which may be used as evidence in a court of law) by the person who is updating their own birth certificate or by the parent or guardian of the person if the person is a minor. In this case, the affidavit and the form to update sex designation are one in the same.

Documents

Birth Certificate Applicant Affidavit
Birth Certificate Fact Sheet

Can I also change the name on my MA birth certificate?

The person who requests a change in the sex designation (gender marker) on the person’s birth record may also request a change of name on the person’s birth record. A request for a change of name on a birth record needs to be accompanied by a certified copy of the legal change of name. No medical or healthcare-related documentation is required.

Do I have to update my name and gender marker at the same time on my MA birth certificate?

No, but there is a time limit. According to the updated law, a person who has changed the sex designation (gender marker) on their birth record and did not request a change of name on their birth record can request a change of name on their birth record within 3 years from the date of the change in the sex designation (gender marker) on their birth record.

The following special circumstances also apply: 

  • A person whose sex designation on their birth record was changed while they were a minor shall have 3 years from the date of their eighteenth birthday (until their twenty-first birthday) to request a change of name on their birth record.
  • It is also possible that the department may waive the 3-year limitation for a person that demonstrates “good cause,” as determined by the department. Please speak with an attorney if you want advice about whether your reasons for delaying a change of name can meet the “good cause” standard.

A request for a change of name on a birth record should be accompanied by a certified copy of the legal change of name. No medical or healthcare-related documentation is required.

Can I update my name and gender marker on my marriage license?

Yes! If both parties to a marriage submit an application, the record of marriage can be amended to remove the sex of either or both parties to the marriage and change either or both parties’ names upon receipt of the following by the state registrar or town clerk:

  • an affidavit executed by the parties to the marriage on a form provided by the registrar attesting to their concurrence that the record be amended to reflect or remove the gender identity or sex of the any such party
  • a request by a party for a change of name along with evidence of the party’s legal change of name.

Documents

Marriage Certificate Applicant Affidavit
Marriage Certificate Fact Sheet

Can I update the gender marker on my license, permit, or state ID?

The registry of motor vehicles (RMV) will permit a person to designate “X”, “M”, or “F” for their gender marker on an application for a driver’s license, learner’s permit, identification card, or liquor purchase identification card. No documentation is needed for any of the designated gender markers.

Note: The RMV will report annually the number of people in MA who choose to use an “X” designation on these documents, but this data will not be connected to the identity of those who choose to use an “X” gender marker.

When will these updated laws go into effect?

These laws are currently in effect!

Where do I start?

If you are feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to start the name and gender marker change process, you can apply to GLAD’s ID Project to be matched, for free, with an attorney who can walk you through the process step by step.

The National Transgender Rights Landscape: Community Reception and Conversation

The National Transgender Rights Landscape: Community Reception and Conversation

Thursday, October 24
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM EDT
Boston Seaport (exact location shared upon registration)
Free community event. Registration required.

Ahead of a national election that will have profound consequences for LGBTQ people, and with a major transgender rights case, U.S. v. Skrmetti, being heard at the U.S. Supreme Court later this year, join esteemed panelists for a conversation about what’s happening across the country and the implications for New England communities.

Featuring:  

  • Ricardo Martinez, Executive Director, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders
  • Jennifer Levi, Senior Director of Transgender and Queer Rights, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders  
  • Shannon Minter, Legal Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights

Register:

Questions? Email Qwin Mbabazi at qmbabazi@glad.org.

Attorney and Advocate Webinar: Massachusetts Parentage Act

Massachusetts Parentage Act: What to Know About a New Law to Protect Families​

The Massachusetts Parentage Act goes into effect on January 1, 2025. The new state law will protect LGBTQ+ families and families formed through assisted reproduction.

On October 8, 2024, the Massachusetts Parentage Act Coalition hosted a webinar for lawyers and organizations to learn how to prepare their clients and constituents for the law’s implementation. Watch the webinar and visit MassParentage.org to learn more!

YouTube video

Resources:

Massachusetts Parentage Act Info Session

What You Need to Know About the Massachusetts Parentage Act and Its Protections for Your Family

The Massachusetts Parentage Act has been signed into law and will take effect January 1, 2025. The historic new law will protect LGBTQ+ families and families formed through assisted reproduction.

Experts from the Massachusetts Parentage Act Coalition hosted a virtual info session for parents, families, and community members to prepare for the law and understand its protections. Watch the recording and find links to resources below.

Featuring:

  • Polly Crozier, Director of Family Advocacy, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders
  • Dean Hutchison, Vice President of Legal Services, Circle Surrogacy
  • Caitlin Egleson, Partner, Egleson & Sturges LLC
  • Gabrielle Navarro, Public Information Manager, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders
  • Jordan Wilson, Executive Director, COLAGE
YouTube video

Resources

Parentage | Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Parentage Act (MPA) went into effect on January 1, 2025. The new law protects LGBTQ+ families and families formed through assisted reproduction in the Commonwealth. Find out how it impacts your family.

What is the Massachusetts Parentage Act?

The Massachusetts Parentage Act (MPA) is a new law, signed by Governor Healey on August 9, 2024, that updates our state law on establishing and recognizing legal parent-child relationships to include and protect more families, including LGBTQ families, families formed through assisted reproduction, and families with a de facto parent.

The new law updates the “paternity” statute, Chapter 209C, so that its existing provisions are gender inclusive and to add new, comprehensive parentage provisions, including protections for children born through assisted reproduction and through surrogacy, and children of de facto parents. Chapter 209C is now titled “Non-marital children and parentage of children.” The law aims to ensure each child has a clear path to secure their legal parentage.

The MPA was fully bipartisan. The lead sponsors in the House were Rep. Sarah Peake (D) and Rep. Hannah Kane (R). The lead sponsors in the Senate were Senator Julian Cyr (D) and Senator Bruce Tarr (R). Both the House (June 12) and the Senate (July 30) unanimously passed the MPA, with final enactment on July 31, 2024.

The Massachusetts Parentage Act went into effect on January 1, 2025.

Read the law.

If you have questions or need a lawyer referral, please contact GLAD Law Answers.

What does parentage mean?

“Parentage” is the legal relationship between a child and a parent. Parentage comes with a host of rights (e.g., decision-making for medical care or education, parenting time in the event of separation from your child’s other parent) as well as responsibilities (e.g., providing health insurance, providing for basic needs, payment of child support). Since parentage is the source of so many rights for a child, a secure legal parent-child relationship is core to a child’s long-term stability and well-being.

Why is it important to establish parentage quickly?

Establishing parentage soon after birth ensures that a child is secured to their parents for all purposes and increases clarity for all involved in a child’s life. For example, parentage will allow a parent to make any early medical decisions in a child’s life, ensure that a child will receive insurance benefits or inheritance rights, and protect parents’ rights if the parents separate.

How can Massachusetts families establish parentage under the MPA?

The MPA provides that Massachusetts parents can establish their parentage in the following ways:

  • Giving birth (except for people acting as surrogates)
  • Adoption (pursuant to chapter 210)
  • Acknowledgment (by signing a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage)
  • Adjudication (an order from a court)
  • Presumption (including the marital and non-marital presumption)
  • Genetic connection (except for sperm or egg donors)
  • De facto parentage
  • Intended parentage through assisted reproduction
  • Intended parentage through a surrogacy agreement

What if I am a non-biological parent? How can I establish myself as a legal parent?

The MPA has many provisions that protect non-biological parents. If you are your child’s presumed parent, or if you are the intended parent of a child born through assisted reproduction other than surrogacy, you can establish legal parentage by signing a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage.

All parents can establish parentage through a court order. A presumed parent or an intended parent of a child conceived through assisted reproduction can seek a judgment declaring the person a parent of the child or do a co-parent or second-parent adoption. Some non-biological parents can establish parentage through the existing “holding out” provision of the Massachusetts code (G. L. c. 209C, § 6(a)(4) or through the new de facto parent provision, which has a standard for a court to assess whether to adjudicate the person to be the child’s de facto parent.

Who is an intended parent?

An intended parent is a person who consents to assisted reproduction with the intent to be a parent of the child. The MPA addresses intended parents in the context of surrogacy separately from intended parents in the context of other forms of assisted reproduction. Ideally, a person who consents to assisted reproduction with the intent to be a parent will memorialize that intent in writing, but the law allows other ways to prove intent to be a parent.

How does one demonstrate consent to assisted reproduction for people using assisted reproduction without surrogacy?

The MPA provides that a person who consents to assisted reproduction with the intent to be a parent of the child “shall be a parent of the child.” Consent to assisted reproduction may be established by a written record or evidence of an oral agreement as follows:

  • In a record signed by the person giving birth to the child and the intended parent before, on, or after the birth of a child.
  • A finding by the court, by a preponderance of evidence that:
    • Before conception or birth of the child, the parties agreed they would both be parents OR
    • The person who seeks to be a parent of the child, together with the person giving birth, voluntarily participated in and consented to the assisted reproduction that resulted in conception of the child.
  • See G. L. c. 209C, § 27(d). 

Who is a presumed parent?

A presumed parent is a non-birth parent that the law recognizes because of certain circumstances or relationships. A presumed parent is established as a legal parent through the execution of a valid Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage, by an adjudication, or as otherwise provided in the MPA. There is a marital and non-marital presumption of parentage in Massachusetts and has been since the mid-1980s.

You are a presumed parent if any of the below are true:

  • You are married to the child’s birth parent when the child is born
  • You were married to the child’s birth parent, and the child is born within 300 days of the marriage being terminated by death, annulment, or divorce
  • You, jointly with another parent, resided in the same household with the child and held out the child as your child
  • See G. L. c. 209C, § 6.

The MPA leaves intact the marital and non-marital presumptions of parentage that have existed in MA law since the 1980s. The MPA ensures that the language of these presumptions is explicitly inclusive of all genders, as the SJC required in Partanen v. Gallagher, 475 Mass. 632 (2016).

How does the MPA help people conceiving through assisted reproduction?

The MPA offers important clarity and protections for children born through assisted reproduction. The new law confirms that a gamete donor (e.g., sperm or egg donor) is not a parent of a child conceived through assisted reproduction. Also, the MPA affirms that a person who consents to assisted reproduction with the intent to be a parent of the resulting child is a legal parent.

Can I get a judgment of parentage of my child born through assisted reproduction without surrogacy?

Yes. The MPA has provisions so that parents can get a judgment of parentage from the Probate and Family Court. A donor is not entitled to notice in these proceedings. A person giving birth or an intended parent may start a proceeding before or after birth to get a parentage judgment. See G. L. c. 209C, § 27(j). A judgment of parentage is a court judgment that should be recognized in all states.

What is a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage?

Federal law requires each state to provide a simple civil process for acknowledging parentage upon the birth of a child. That simple civil process is the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage (VAP) program. VAP forms must be available at hospitals and through state birth record agencies.

VAP forms themselves are short affidavits in which the person signing affirms that they wish to be established as a legal parent with all of the rights and responsibilities of parentage. The birth parent must also sign the form, and both parents have to provide some demographic information about themselves.

By signing a VAP, a person is established as a legal parent, and the child’s birth certificate is issued or amended to reflect that legal parentage. Properly executed, a VAP has the binding force of a court order and should be treated as valid in all states.

How do I establish my parentage through a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage?

You can voluntarily acknowledge the parentage of a child by signing a form from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health known as a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Parentage. A VAP must be signed by the birth parent and the other parent (i.e., the person establishing parentage through the VAP). The other parent can be the genetic parent, an intended parent of a child born through assisted reproduction other than surrogacy, or a presumed parent (i.e., the spouse of the birth parent at the time of the child’s birth, or a person who resided with the child and held out the child as the person’s child).

Signing a VAP form is voluntary, and it can be done at the hospital soon after birth or at a later time through the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. A VAP form must be notarized.

If you have any questions about whether to sign a VAP form, you should consult with a lawyer before signing. A VAP is the equivalent of a court judgment of parentage, and parentage is a considerable, life-long responsibility.

When can I not establish parentage through a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage?

  • A presumed parent who seeks to establish parentage in situations in which the other parent is not the child’s birth parent, e.g., the child was adopted by the other parent, must establish parentage through an adjudication and cannot establish parentage through a VAP.
  • Parentage cannot be established through a VAP if there is a third person who is a presumed parent, unless that person has filed a Denial of Parentage.
  • An intended parent of a child born through surrogacy should use a court process and not a VAP.

When can a parent sign a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage?

VAPs can be signed after the birth of a child and even after a child is an adult. A VAP can also be completed before the child’s birth but will not take effect until the child is born.

I have an older child. How can I sign a VAP now so that it is valid?

You can sign a VAP outside of the hospital.  It is important that you follow all of the instructions so that the VAP is valid.  The MA Registry of Vital Statistics (RVRS) has been very helpful in sharing information about how to do this.  Parents can submit the paperwork either at the city/town of the child’s birth or with the RVRS. If they are going to submit with the city/town, RVRS suggests they call to make an appointment to make sure that there is a staff person in the office that day to assist them.  You can also make an appointment at RVRS or mail in the papers.  Since things are busy at RVRS at the moment and to be accessible beyond Greater Boston, RVRS is allowing people to complete the process by mail.  By mail, parents should reach out to RVRS and their amendments staff will mail them the VAP forms and instructions. We would need their mailing address to send that to them. Parents can email christina.bocolos@mass.gov.

How can a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage be rescinded?

A Voluntary Acknowledgement of Parentage can be rescinded by either party for any reason within 60 days after its signing or prior to an administrative or judicial proceeding relating to the child in which the signatory is a party, whichever is earlier. If the form is not rescinded within that 60-day time frame, a VAP can be challenged in court only within one year of execution and only on the basis of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact. See G. L. c. 209C, § 11.

What if I reside in Massachusetts, but my child was born in another state?

If your child’s parentage isn’t already established and you reside in Massachusetts, then you can sign a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage in Massachusetts. If you experience barriers to executing a VAP, please contact GLAD Law Answers.

If I am a parent who has signed a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Parentage, do I also need to do a co-parent adoption?

No. A parent who has signed a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Parentage should not need to complete a co-parent adoption to establish or confirm parentage. A VAP establishes legal parentage under state law, is the equivalent of a judgment of parentage under state law and gives you all the rights and duties of a parent. Under federal law, a VAP is the equivalent of a judicial decree of parentage and should be recognized in all states.

Since expanded access to acknowledgments of parentage is an emerging development, some parents might feel more comfortable also completing a co-parent adoption in addition to or instead of a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage or securing a judgment of parentage. To understand what is best for your family, individualized legal advice is recommended. If you need a referral, contact GLAD Law Answers.

If I am a parent who has a judgment of parentage under Chapter 209C section 27, do I also need to do a co-parent adoption?

No. A parent who has a judgment of parentage does not need to do a co-parent adoption to establish or confirm parentage. A judgement of parentage is a judicial decree and should be recognized in all states.

What if I am a parent who has a presumption of parentage or an acknowledgment of parentage or a judgment, can I still do a co-parent adoption? 

Yes. Although unnecessary, some parents might feel that they want the belt and suspenders of a co-parent adoption. Massachusetts law is clear that a legal parent can also adopt their own child without terminating the legal parent’s rights. See Petition of Curran, 314 Mass. 91 (1942); Adoption of Tammy, 416 Mass. 205 (1993). 

Who is a de facto parent?

A de facto parent is a parent based on their relationship with the child. Establishing de facto parentage requires a judgment from a court. Before the child turns 18, you can petition a court to establish your de facto parentage by demonstrating, with clear and convincing evidence, all of the following:

  • You lived with the child as a regular member of the household for not less than 3 years or 40% of the child’s life, unless there are extraordinary circumstances
  • You consistently took care of the child
  • You took full and permanent responsibility for the child without expectation of financial compensation
  • You held the child out as your child
  • You established a bonded and dependent relationship which is parental in nature
  • Each legal parent consented to the bonded and dependent relationship
  • Adjudicating you as a parent is in the child’s best interest.

Stay tuned for more in-depth information about de facto parentage.

How does the MPA address surrogacy?

Massachusetts case law already authorized courts to recognize intended parents who have children through a gestational surrogacy arrangement as the child’s legal parents. The MPA provides much more comprehensive regulation of surrogacy, including clear guidance about how to establish parentage through surrogacy agreements. The MPA addresses both gestational surrogacy, in which the person acting as the surrogate is not genetically connected to the child, and genetic surrogacy, in which the person acting as the surrogate is genetically connected to the child. Having a lawyer is required for a valid and enforceable surrogacy agreement in Massachusetts so it is advised to consult legal advice at the outset of this family-building process.

Before starting any medical procedures to conceive a child through a surrogacy process, you must have a written and signed agreement. This agreement is between you, any other intended parents, the person acting as the surrogate, and that person’s spouse (if applicable). This agreement will establish that you are the parent(s) of the child and that the surrogate and their spouse (if applicable) do not have parental rights or duties. If you are entering a genetic surrogacy agreement, you must also have the agreement validated by a probate court before any medical procedure takes place.

To enter into a surrogacy agreement, all of the following must be true:

  • All intended parents and the person acting as the surrogate must be at least 21
  • All intended parents and the person acting as the surrogate must have completed a mental health evaluation, and the person acting as the surrogate must also have completed a medical evaluation
  • The person acting as the surrogate must have previously given birth to at least one child
  • The person acting as the surrogate must have health insurance or some other form of medical coverage
  • The intended parent(s) and the person acting as the surrogate must be represented by separate lawyers for the purposes of the agreement, and the attorney for the person acting as the surrogate must be paid for by the intended parent(s)

The law requires surrogacy agreements to incorporate several terms to be valid, such as allowing a person acting as a surrogate to make their own health and welfare decisions during pregnancy and requiring the intended parent(s) to pay all related healthcare costs.

What if I am not married?

The MPA explicitly provides that every child has the same rights to parentage as any other child without regard to the marital status of the parents, or the circumstances of the child’s birth. By not differentiating between parents based on their marital status, the MPA aims to treat all Massachusetts families equally.

What if I am transgender or non-binary?

The MPA explicitly provides that every child has the same rights to parentage as any other child without regard to the gender of the parents or the circumstances of the child’s birth. The MPA, by using more inclusive language, is inclusive of parents of all genders. By doing so, the MPA aims to treat all Massachusetts families equally.

Can a child have more than two legal parents?

Yes. Massachusetts courts already allow for more than two legal parents through the adoption process. Under the MPA, a court may determine that a child has more than two legal parents if there are multiple claims to parentage and adjudicating more than two parents is in the child’s best interests. See G.L. c. 209C, § 26(c).

Does the MPA make changes to laws about divorce, custody, parenting time and child support?

No. The MPA made no changes to those laws. 

Where can I get a lawyer referral to help with parentage?

As with any family law issue, individualized legal advice is recommended. GLAD Law Answers can provide information as well as referrals to local practitioners. If you have questions about how to protect your family, contact GLAD Law Answers by completing the form at GLAD Law Answers or call 800-455-GLAD (4523). The National LGBTQ Bar Association also provides lawyer referrals.

What other resources might help me better understand parentage and how to protect my children?

News

We are heartbroken to learn that a transgender teenager was assaulted in Gloucester at the end of last week. We hope for a quick and full recovery from his injuries, and that he has the support he will need to heal from this traumatic incident. Family support plays a critical role in ensuring LGBTQ+ youth are protected and able to thrive, and we are heartened to know this young man has a loving advocate in his mother. As the investigation into what happened Friday proceeds, we hope that both the school and wider community are able to learn from this incident and turn toward kindness and away from violence.

To this young man and his family, and to all LGBTQ+ youth in Gloucester, throughout Massachusetts, and across the country, know that you are loved, you are supported, and you belong.

If you are an LGBTQ+ youth or family member looking for resources, you are not alone.

Trans Lifeline

Peer support phone service run by transgender people for trans and questioning peers. Call if you need someone trans to talk to, even if you’re not in a crisis or if you’re not sure you’re trans.

Visit TransLifeline.org or call 877-565-8860.
Español: Visite a TransLifeline.org/es o llame al 877-565-8860 y presione 2 para conectarse con operadores que se hablan español.

Trevor Project

Suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and support for LGBTQ+ young people.

For support, call 1-866-488-7386, text ‘START’ to 678-678, or chat with a counselor online at TheTrevorProject.org/get-help.
For resources, visit TheTrevorProject.org/resources.

GLAD Answers

GLAD’s free and confidential resource for legal information, assistance, and referrals.

Visit GLADAnswers.org, email GLADAnswers@glad.org or leave a voicemail at 800-455-GLAD.

News

Advocates, Families, and Legislative Leaders Join Governor Healey in Celebrating Passage of Massachusetts Parentage Act

Governor Healey signing the Massachusetts Parentage Act at the State House, surrounded by legislative leaders and advocates

Dozens of advocates, families, and legislators joined Governor Maura Healey at the State House Monday for a ceremonial bill signing of an Act to Ensure Legal Parentage Equality, better known as the Massachusetts Parentage Act. Now signed into law, Massachusetts becomes the final state in New England, and the 13th in the nation, to adopt parentage protections. 

“It was 20 years ago when we said love is love, secured marriage equality, and changed the world,” said Governor Healey. “Today, we took action to say that what defines a family is love and commitment, not outdated notions of who should be a parent or how a child should come into the world. This is a victory for all families in Massachusetts who deserve to be treated equally under the law. We are grateful to advocates and our partners in the Legislature for their leadership in passing this long-overdue legislation.”

The child-centered law, based on the bipartisan model Uniform Parentage Act of 2017, updates Massachusetts’ forty-year-old parentage statutes to be inclusive of LGBTQ+ families, families formed through assisted reproduction, and families that include a de facto or functional parent. It ensures all children have equal access to the security of a legal parent-child relationship no matter the gender or marital status of their parents or how their family is formed. 

“Every day, the incredible team at GLAD proves that with determination, skill, and empathy the voices of our community will be heard,” said Shane Dunn, GLAD Board President. “We are grateful to all the families and advocates who had the courage to share their stories in an effort to underscore the urgent need for this legislation to become law and to the commitment from lawmakers to get this over the finish line. As the proud son of a lesbian mom and a parent to young children myself, watching Governor Healey sign the legislation today was not just a testament of our Commonwealth’s values, but another reminder of how Massachusetts is for everyone.”

“It has been GLAD’s tremendous honor to co-lead the MPA coalition these last 7 years,” said Polly Crozier, Director of Family Advocacy at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders. “Together, we have heard and held the painful stories of so many community members and witnessed their grit and spirit as they never ever gave up on a vision of Massachusetts where all children have access to parentage and are seen, included, loved, and secured. Thank you Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Driscoll for welcoming us to the people’s house to celebrate.” 

Darmany Jimenez speaking at the Massachusetts Parentage Act signing ceremony
Darmany Jimenez speaking at the Massachusetts Parentage Act signing ceremony

Among those in attendance at the State House event were people directly impacted by the law, including Darmany Jimenez of Boston.

“I’m so grateful to Governor Healey, and to everyone in the legislature who made it a priority to pass the MPA and sign it into law,” said Jimenez. “Our mom is our parent. She has sacrificed a lot to raise me and my siblings. Her love and commitment are undisputed. Our family may not look like other families, and we came together in a non-traditional way, but we are just as real. We know that. And now, because of the MPA, the law will recognize that too.”

Joining Jimenez was Karen Partanen of Wilmington, whose legal case to be recognized as her childrens’ parent was decided by the Supreme Judicial Court in 2016 and highlighted the need to reform Massachusetts law.

“Ten years ago I began a legal fight that took every dollar of my savings and beyond, and nearly every minute of my time for years to ensure my children would not lose one of their loving parents,” Partanen said. “While I would gladly do that all over again to protect my kids, I am so happy that now, because of the Massachusetts Parentage Act, other LGBTQ parents will not have to go through what I did simply to secure their family.” 

The bill’s bipartisan sponsors include Democrat Senator Julian Cyr, Republican Senator Bruce Tarr, Democrat Representative Sarah Peake, and Republican Representative Hannah Kane. 

Karen Partanen speaking at the Massachusetts Parentage Act signing ceremony
Karen Partanen speaking at the Massachusetts Parentage Act signing ceremony

“With unprecedented and alarming action in other states to strip away the rights of LGBTQ+ people and our families, Massachusetts’ outdated and heterocentric parentage laws put LGBTQ+ families at risk every day,” said Cape and Islands Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “The Massachusetts Parentage Act is personal — LGBTQ+ families like mine face excessive and expensive hoops just to ensure our children have the security of legal parentage. I am grateful to Governor Healey for signing this bill into law— today marks a critical step to guarantee that all children can benefit from the stability of a legal parent-child relationship no matter how they came to be in this world.” 

“No child in Massachusetts should be left in legal limbo while state agencies and the courts struggle with unclear laws to clearly establish parentage in a timely and efficient way,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “This law contains the reforms needed to prevent that from happening.”

“Like so many people here in the Commonwealth, this legislation is personal for me,” said Representative Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury), a lead sponsor of the bill. “My husband Jim and I have been blessed with 3 beautiful children who are now young adults. Our parentage was easily established – the laws as they exist made it clear and easy to do so. Our beautiful, smart, sweet, tough Endicott College graduate and national collegiate rugby champion daughter Caitlin is lesbian, and if she chooses, I want her to experience the joy of being a parent someday with the same rights to establish her parentage, and to have the same legal protections, as my husband Jim and I had. I am grateful to Governor Healey, Attorney General Campbell, Speaker Mariano, Chair Day, Leader Peake, Sen. Cyr, Sen. Tarr and Rep. Khan – and all of the advocates in the MA Parentage Coalition– particularly Polly Crozier, Doug NeJaime and Arline Isaacson, for their steadfast championing of this bipartisan legislation that acknowledges the diverse tapestry of modern families and affirms their right to legal recognition and protection under the law.”

“When we won the right to marry 20 years ago, many of us thought our children and families were safe,” said Arline Isaacson, co-chair, Massachusetts GLBTQ Political Caucus. “Then we learned that LGBTQ families still had major hurdles to surmount in order to secure legal protections for our families.  The Parentage Act now provides those protections. This is a huge win and unquestionably the most important legislative initiative for LGBTQ families since the battle for marriage equality. We are deeply grateful to the legislative leaders and sponsors who passed this bill and to Governor Healey for being such a strong supporter of it.”

Video of yesterday’s ceremony is available on the Governor’s YouTube channel.

The Massachusetts Parentage Act is supported by a coalition of parents, families and more than 60 organizations: 

AllPaths Family Building, American Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Massachusetts, ACLU of Massachusetts, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts – MA Chapter, BAGLY, Baystate Health, Boston IVF Fertility Clinic, Boston Medical Center, Cape Cod Healthcare, Inc., Center for Reproductive Rights, Children’s Law Center of MA, Children’s League of Massachusetts, Circle Surrogacy & Egg Donation, Citizens for Juvenile Justice, COLAGE, Committee for Public Counsel Services, Conceiveabilities, Csed Inc. (The Center for Surrogacy and Egg Donation), Eastern Bank Foundation, Family Equality, Fenway Health, Fertility Within Reach, Friends of Children, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), Greater Boston Family Law Inn of Courts, Greater Boston PFLAG, Human Rights Campaign, Jewish Alliance for Law & Social Action, Kauffman Law and Mediation, Keshet, Mass General Brigham, Mass NOW, Mass PPD Fund, Massachusetts Advocates for Children, Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth, Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association, Massachusetts LGBTQ Political Caucus, Massachusetts Medical Society, Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Massachusetts Trans Political Coalition, MassEquality, Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee, Modern Family Law, Bruce Hale, Esq., Movement Advancement Project, National Association of Social Workers–MA Chapter, National Center for Lesbian Rights, New England Fertility Society, New England Surrogacy, Nichols, Delisle & Lightholder, OUT MetroWest, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, Progressive Massachusetts, Reproductive Equity Now, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, Roxbury Youth Works, SeedTrust, SEIU 509, Transhealth, The Boston Foundation, UMass Memorial Health, and the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy.

Learn more about the Massachusetts Parentage Act.

Watch the signing ceremony:

YouTube video
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