Spain opens free IVF to single women, lesbian and bisexual women, trans people with gestational capacity

Lesbian and bisexual women, single women, and trans people with gestational capacity in Spain will now have access to free in vitro fertilization (IVF) services through the country’s national health system, the government has announced.

Rainbow communities celebrated the news after the country’s Health Minister signed an executive order, reversing a 2014 policy that restricted access to the service to cis straight women in a relationship and to individuals with infertility. Activists have ever since fought to see assisted reproduction benefits return, and had considered this as “a ’red line’ in the negotiations for the LGBTI and Trans Law currently being discussed”.

“We have always understood that achieving rights such as assisted reproduction would benefit lesbian, bisexual women and trans people with gestational capacity, without harming anyone,” said FELGTBI+ president Uge Sangil during the signing ceremony. “It is an example of how recognising LGTBI rights means recognising human rights for society as a whole”.

Other groups echoed their appreciation. “Finally, assisted reproduction is included for single women, lesbians, bisexual women, and trans people with gestational capacity,” Arcópoli wrote in a tweet. “This is the way to continue expanding rights and not leaving anyone out.”

Source: https://ilga.org/lgbti-news-201-ilga-nov-2021#Europe