California oral arguments to be aired online in lesbian insemination case
How Appealing links to several news reports and to the court’s broadcast of the arguements which begins at 9 am Pacific time today.
When Guadalupe Benitez was referred by her endocrinologist to a California medical clinic to treat her polycystic ovary syndrome, she didn’t expect to get “dumped” by her doctors. In 1999, after a year of surgeries and hormone treatments — all covered by insurance — Benitez was finally ready to get pregnant by artificial insemination. But at the crucial moment, her doctor refused to do the procedure for “religious” reasons . . . The case has drawn more than 40 “friend of the court” briefs, pitting gay and civil rights groups against conservative, religious-based organizations like Advocates for Faith and Freedom and the Alliance Defense Fund. It also tests the state’s Unruh Act, which bars discrimination in business and housing.