LGBT+ inclusive surrogacy advocacy group about 'giving those families a voice'

Ms Goggin said delays around amendments to the legislation were adding further uncertainty for families seeking legal clarity. Picture: iStock

A mother of two children born through surrogacy has launched an advocacy group aimed at improving representation and legal protections for families created through assisted and alternative routes in Ireland.

Modern Irish Families was set up by Wexford mother Lauragh Goggin in the last four months to support families who often feel excluded from existing systems and legal protections, including same-sex couples who she believes have been “left out in the cold” by delays and gaps in legislation.

“We have so many families in Ireland who still do not feel recognised or protected under the law,” she told the Irish Examiner.

“This group is about giving those families a voice and making sure their experiences are part of the conversation when laws and policies are being developed.” 

The organisation brings together people with lived experience, including intended parents, donor-conceived people, surrogates, adoptive and foster families, and those currently undergoing fertility treatment.

At the centre of the campaign is a call for clearer legislation around assisted human reproduction and surrogacy, alongside stronger protections for children and families.

Ms Goggin said there also needs to be greater awareness and understanding around modern family structures.

“Families come in many forms, and children deserve the same protections and recognition regardless of how their family was created,” she said.

“At the moment, the law still largely favours the biological father and the surrogate, while intended parents can be left without immediate legal recognition of their role in a child’s life.

“That creates huge uncertainty for families, particularly for same-sex couples, and it is something that urgently needs to be addressed.” 

Policymakers, healthcare workers, and legal experts

Modern Irish Families also plans to work with policymakers, healthcare professionals, and legal experts to improve standards and accountability around assisted reproduction and family law.

Ms Goggin will chair the group, while the vice chair is her long-time friend Sam Bengtson. They met during their first surrogacy journeys, and during that time, Ms Goggin also supported Ms Bengtson with some challenges she faced in her role as an intending parent.

“Sam later had her little boy in Georgia and, ever since, she’s been a constant sounding board for me,” said Ms Goggin.

Angela O'Connor, the group's social media manager, is also a friend of Ms Goggin. They also met through surrogacy groups.

“We are very much of the same mind and share a strong belief that all children should be equal in the law, and that every child deserves a legal connection to both of their parents,” she said.

The launch comes amid ongoing frustration among some families over delays in implementing key parts of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024.

Campaigners have raised concerns that significant sections of the legislation — including provisions allowing for retrospective declarations of parentage for children born through surrogacy — have yet to be commenced.

Ms Goggin said delays around amendments to the legislation were adding further uncertainty for families seeking legal clarity.

“We were told amendments would be finalised, but families are still waiting with no clarity on timelines,” she said.