Dismantling Discriminatory Barriers: Access to Assisted Reproductive Services for Single Women and Lesbian Couples

In Victoria, single women and lesbian couples are prohibited from accessing clinically based assisted reproductive services unless they are classified as 'clinically infertile'. This article argues that recent judicial decisions illustrate that the discrimination perpetrated against these women may create serious legal and social issues. A maze of legislation regulating the legal parentage of children born as a result of assisted reproductive services is examined. It is argued that amending the Infertility Treatment Act 1995 (Vic) to eradicate the need for 'clinical infertility' is the first small step towards dismantling existing discriminatory barriers.