Janene Oleaga, Esq., founder of Oleaga Law LLC, appeared on ASRM Today, the podcast of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, to discuss the political and legal forces shaping access to reproductive care for LGBTQ+ patients. The episode, part of the show's season-long focus on LGBTQ+ issues in reproductive medicine, was released on the eve of Pride Month and explores how recent legislative shifts are affecting access to fertility treatment, family building, abortion services, and gender-affirming reproductive care.
Host Jeffrey Hayes and co-host Dr. Lowell Ku were joined by Oleaga and Jennifer Maas to examine the complicated laws families navigate, the influence of ideology on medical decision making, and the role of advocacy in protecting reproductive autonomy. Oleaga's record on family equality includes the momentous New York Supreme Court's Matter of Baby DKN decision recognizing three legal parents to a child born through assisted reproduction. She also testified before the Maine Legislature in support of LD 1906, An Act to Enable Confirmatory Adoption, which strengthened legal protections for LGBTQ+ parents through assisted reproduction, and LD 1539, An Act to Provide Access to Fertility Care, which expanded insurance coverage for fertility treatment in Maine.
The conversation highlights the ongoing challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face in accessing reproductive care, as legislative changes across the country create a patchwork of laws that can be difficult to navigate. Oleaga emphasized the importance of legal protections for all family structures, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, or relationship status. She noted that advocacy and legal action are critical to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to build a family.
Oleaga founded Oleaga Law LLC to help individuals and couples build their families through assisted reproduction and adoption. Licensed in New York, Maine, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, she is a member of ASRM's Legal Professionals Group and serves on the boards of NYAAFF, New England Fertility Society, AllPaths, and the BIVF Foundation. The full episode of ASRM Today is available on all podcast streaming platforms.
The implications of this discussion are significant for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking reproductive care. As courts and legislatures continue to shape the legal landscape, the need for informed legal guidance and advocacy becomes increasingly important. The episode underscores the intersection of law, medicine, and personal autonomy, and the ongoing fight for reproductive rights for all.
