Amsterdam celebrates 'other mother' recognition

From the 1st of April, lesbian couples can both lawfully be the mother of their child, without having to go through difficult and expensive procedures. Fred Teeven, state secretary for Safety and Justice and Amterdam's mayor Eberhard van der Laan will hold a party in the city on that day to celebrate the presentation of the first certificates. These certificates mean that not only the biological mother, but also the non-biological or 'other mother' are also recognized in the law. Three couples will be entertained with speeches and presents, the municipality of Amsterdam says. The House of Parliament last year voted with a significant majority for the plan. With the law, the position of children with lesbian parents will become as equal as possible to children born from heterosexual relationships. If the women are married, and if the biological father will not play a role, then the 'other mother' will receive the same recognition as the father. In all other cases, the second mother can easily recognize the child lawfully. If the biological father does play a role, then the concerned parties can discuss who the other lawful parent will be.