“LGBTQIA+ women are being let down by this government – and nowhere more so than by their failure to remove the financial burdens that same sex couples face when accessing IVF”
BY DIVA STAFF, IMAGE VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
This week (22-28 April) marks the annual observation of Lesbian Visibility Week (LVW) which was founded by DIVA publisher Linda Riley. So far, Kate Osborne MP has already hosted the first ever House of Commons reception for LVW and has penned a powerful opinion pieces for DIVA reflecting on the current state of the rights of LGBTQIA women. And today, she continued to raise her voice in the fight for LGBTQIA rights by slamming the Tory government for lack of action on IVF despite their promises to abolish the “Gay Tax”.
This is far from the only time Kate has advocated for the rights of LGBTQIA couples wanting to start a family. Back in October 2023, she led a debate on IVF provision and raised awareness on the inequalities people face when trying to access this type of healthcare.
“This week marks the fifth Lesbian Visibility Week founded by my good friend, publisher of DIVA magazine, Linda Riley,” Kate said. “This comes at a time when LGBTQIA+ women are being let down by this government – and nowhere more so than by their failure to remove the financial burdens that same sex couples face when accessing IVF.”
“My constituents Holly and Leanne like so many others have been priced out of having a family,” she continued before calling on the Deputy Prime Minister to “commit to finally ending this ‘Gay Tax.'”
“It is absolutely unacceptable that despite promising 6 months ago to remove screening costs and all additional financial barriers in fertility treatment for same-sex couples – there are still couples like my constituents Holly and Leanne who are priced out of IVF, sacrificing saving up for a deposit on a house in order to pay for treatment,” Kate went on to say after her question. “Since my debate last year, I have written to the Minister twice asking for further information and raised it at the Women and Equalities Committee. The Minister promised a timetable for action and that the NHS would start to make changes – yet nothing has happened and not one of the 42 ICB’s have made any changes to their fertility provision.”
Despite Kate’s statements the Deputy Prime Minister did not commit to ending the “Gay Tax”.
However, Holly, one of Kate’s constituents from Hebburn said: “I’m really pleased that what is happening to me and thousands of others in the UK has been raised by Kate Osborne MP in Parliament today. We need this Government to remove all the additional financial barriers that we are facing before it is too late for many women – we shouldn’t have to sacrifice the dream of owning our own home to start a family. We should be given the same opportunities as straight couples and I’m glad Kate as my MP is fighting for this.”
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