A series of landmark rulings across Europe this week has put the spotlight back on the rights of gay and lesbian people, with courts ruling in favour of adoption by gay couples in Austria and Germany while a court in Turkey decided for the first time that gay sexual relations did not constitute ‘unnatural sex’.

SYDNEY: In what has been hailed as proof of the positive benefits brought on by recent changes allowing same-sex parents to be included on children’s birth certificates, it can be revealed that hundreds of children with same-sex parents now have both their parents officially recognised.

Marriage equality advocate, media commentator and GP, Professor Kerryn Phelps and wife Jackie Stricker-Phelps have been named as 2013 Mother of the Year ambassadors by children’s charity Barnardos.

Australian dads, including men in same-sex relationships, will soon be able to claim financial support from the Federal Government so that they may take time off from work to bond with their new baby.

As debate on a state-based marriage equality bill is due to commence in Tasmania’s Parliament in a few hours times, a bill paving the way for all Tasmanian couples, including same-sex and de facto relationships, to legally access child surrogacy arrangements looks set to pass.

The NSW Gay and Rights Lobby (GLRL) has called on Queensland’s LNP Government to abandon its plans to prevent gay couples from accessing surrogacy arrangements, saying the changes go against promises made by Premier Campbell Newman only a few months ago.

La Trobe University researchers are calling on interested parties in Sydney to take part in interviews next month for a groundbreaking national study exploring the experiences of gay and lesbian parents whose relationships have ended despite having had children together.

Tammy Clinch of Rainbow Families talks about how the new community group is connecting diverse families and providing resources to same-sex parents in Queensland.

Same-sex couples in Tasmania will be allowed to adopt local and overseas children under changes being considered by the State Government.

With marriage equality dominating much of the political and media chatter of late, a groundbreaking study by Australian researchers hopes to explore the experiences of gay and lesbian parents whose relationships have ended despite having had children together.

Same-sex couples with children and LGBT activists have welcomed media reports suggesting that the Federal Government is seriously considering proposals to amend passport application forms to include the option of ‘Parent 1’ and ‘Parent 2’ alongside Mother and Father.

Marriage equality advocates say that an Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) commissioned report released today claiming children benefit from having married parents only strengthens the case for same-sex marriage.