From Suzanne Stack, Life Issues Coordinator of the Diocese of Rochester
In an interview last week, Governor Cuomo prioritized legalization of surrogacy contracts for passage before the end of the session (scheduled for June 19!). Attached is the NYS Catholic Conference Memo of Opposition on this, which highlights the harm of surrogacy to the women who are impregnated and the children born of such contracts. Commercial surrogacy has been banned in almost all of the European Union, and more recently in India, Nepal, and Cambodia due to the exploitation of poor and vulnerable women. It has also been banned in New York since 1992 when Governor Mario Cuomo signed the ban into law. Now his son is pushing to inexplicably reverse that law.
Assemblywoman Jamie Romeo is new to Albany as she was elected to former Assemblyman Joe Morelle’s district last November. Her position on commercial surrogacy is unknown, and there are some fiercely pro-choice women in the Assembly Democratic conference who have loudly voiced their concerns on this. They are undoubtedly trying to win her over. We urgently need to let Assemblywoman Jamie Romeo know that plenty of concerned voters in Rochester oppose commercial surrogacy as exploitive of and dangerous to women and children (Jamie is the proud mother of a young boy). Callers from anywhere in the Rochester area are helpful. This is especially urgent for those who live in Assemblywoman Romeo’s district: Brighton, Irondequoit, Charlotte and western parts of the city as well eastern parts of the city. https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Jamie-Romeo/map/
Please call Assemblywoman Jamie Romeo’s Albany office right away: 518-455-5373
Here’s a sample script of what to say:
“I’m calling as a concerned doctor/nurse/etc to oppose commercial surrogacy.
It exploits vulnerable women, who will be enticed to rent out their wombs and put their health at considerable risk.
It also exploits children, treating them as products to be manufactured and sold.
Lifting New York’s ban on commercial surrogacy will lead to grave human rights violations.”
Thank you for standing up for the inherent value and dignity of women and children!
You may not get to say all of this, so emphasize that commercial surrogacy exploits women, or exploits women and children. It will be helpful if you can also share health concerns. If you would like to share more on health concerns, please send an email as well as calling. You can personalize the email message at the NYS Catholic Conference Action Center. https://www.nyscatholic.org/nys-catholic-conference-action-center/
Thank you for standing up for the inherent value and dignity of women and children!
Suzanne Stack
Life Issues Coordinator
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester
1150 Buffalo Rd
Rochester, NY 14624-1823
585-328-3210 x1304