Swedish lesbians see red over sperm fee
Published: 28 Aug 12 14:31 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/42870/20120828/
A lesbian couple in County Östergötland has reported the county council to the Swedish Equality Ombudsman (Diskrimineringsombudsmannen, DO), for making them pay 3,000 kronor ($457) for two inseminations.
- 'The future of freedom on the internet is at stake' (21 May 13)
- Assange's sex crimes accuser speaks out (16 May 13)
- Sex in Sweden: condoms optional - study (14 May 13)
The couple felt both badly treated and insignificant compared to heterosexual couples, for whom the treatment is free of charge, and have now reported the county council to the watchdog.
The women felt the doctor treating them was both ignorant and tactless, calling one of them the “father-to-be”. They also bristled at being forced to pay 3,000 kronor for two inseminations, which is free for gay women in the neighbouring county.
However, Maria Morell of the county council, is not surprised that they have been reported.
“We’ve been reported before. We’re often vilified for having high fees,” she said to the paper.
Despite the recurring criticism, she doesn’t think that there is enough reason to re-think the county’s policy on insemination for gay women.
“We have identified what we think should be paid for by taxpayers’ money. We think that there should be a medical reason for infertility for the council to pay for treatment and homosexuality is not counted as a disease,” said Morell to the paper.
"It stands to reason that it would be strange if we paid for the insemination of a fertile lesbian woman, it would be like saying she is sick."
She added that if a medical examination showed that a lesbian woman had infertility difficulties, the situation would be different.
“Then she would be treated as any other woman experiencing fertility problems,” said Morell to the paper.
The Local/rm
twitter.com/thelocalsweden
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Stockholm riots: a view from the street in Husby
Following three nights of violence that left cars smouldering in several Stockholm suburbs, The Local travelled to the northwest district of Husby where the disturbances began to see how the riots have affected local residents. READ () »
Bergman auction canned after suspected theft
An auction of memorabilia belonging to Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Berman has been scrapped by authorities after claims the items were stolen from the family. READ () »
Stockholm man lay dead in flat for two years
Workmen in southern Stockholm found the body of man who may have lain dead in his flat for over two years, with the police blaming the belated discovery on society's broken social networks. READ () »
Fashion prize turns Rookies into players
Swedish designers who fight for brand-name recognition in the notoriously hard-to-crack fashion business tell The Local's Victoria Hussey about the importance of the Swedish Rookies Award. READ () »
Four jailed for drugging internet date victims
Four thieves who used internet dating sites to find victims who they then robbed after drugging them with a concoction of sedatives and psychosis drugs were sentenced to prison on Wednesday by a Swedish court. READ () »
Doc went on holiday as Swede's cancer spread
A Swedish man has been left facing death after his doctor went on holiday, leaving a cancer diagnosis stranded in the computer system while the increasingly desperate patient fought for help elsewhere. READ () »
Thirty fires in third night of Stockholm riots
Police arrested eight people on Tuesday night as thirty cars were torched across southern and western Stockholm, in what was the third consecutive night of unrest in the Swedish capital. READ () »
Swedish 'serial killer' cleared of two murders
A man long referred to as Sweden's most notorious serial killer after being convicted of eight murders has been cleared of two more of the killings, prosecutors announced on Tuesday. READ () »
- 22/05 Four jailed for drugging internet date victims »
- 22/05 Doc went on holiday as Swede's cancer spread »
- 19/05 Vast peat fire in Skåne may burn for weeks »
- 17/05 Sweden's drug testing industry plummets »
- 16/05 Suicide figures soar for Sweden's disabled youth »
- 15/05 'Swedish celebrities have raised cancer awareness' »
- 15/05 Apple strips Swedish Whypod of its trademark »
- 14/05 Swedish man mauled in brutal bear attack »
- 14/05 Swedish friction experts unravel curling mystery »
- 13/05 Asthma and allergies on the rise for Swedish kids »
| 22/05 | Accountant to Bank of ChinaSjr Ab | Stockholm |
| 22/05 | Accountant to Bank of ChinaSJR AB | Stockholm, STHM |
| 22/05 | Accounting ManagerMichael Page | Göteborg |
| 22/05 | Accounting ManagerMichael Page | Göteborg, VTG |
| 22/05 | Analyse Engineer - Infotainment PlatformVolvo | Göteborg |
| 22/05 | Analyse Engineer - Infotainment PlatformVolvo Car Corporation | Göteborg, VTG |
More news from Germany at thelocal.de
- 22/05 Femen mock writer's suicide at Notre Dame »
- 22/05 France to spend €20m on embassy security »
More news from France at thelocal.fr
More news from Norway at thelocal.no
- 22/05 Court upholds appeals against holiday homes »
- 22/05 Lausanne scientists unlock clues to ageing »
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
In cooperation with DoToday
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
"A week full to the brim with LFC football…. Div 5 LFC match against Nåjdens FK has been moved. This is due to the Svenska Cupen final: 26 May, 17.00 kick off, Nationalarenan Friends Arena, Solna. Next match is on Tuesday (see below). ………………………………………………………… Friday: Div5 Ladies: Rotebro IS FF – Långholmen FC (Skinnaråsens IP) KO: 16.15 ………………………………………………………… Saturday: Vets: Långholmen FC – IFK..." READ »
- 20/5 15:25 Hockey. Hockey. Hockey. (Boston Blatte)
- 16/5 08:32 Be British, be sincere and be bold (Brits Mean Business)
- 19/4 15:47 UK and Sweden sign Defence MOU (The Diplomatic Dispatch)
- 03:13 Investment market in Sweden
- 02:19 Husby Riots and violence against the police...
- 01:05 An alternative on the menu
- 00:56 What has happened to TL?
- 00:15 Living costs in London
- 23:17 International school in Lund
- 22:39 Restaurant Inspection Scores
- 19:46 I need a dentist, in Malmö?
- 18:50 Where do I find out if my massage qualifications
- 17:49 Moving from Canada to Sweden
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE
Casa Birgitta in Algarve, Portugal. Reduced price in best location. Private estate on white sand beach. All amenities included. Book here today! edward_george1@hotmail.com
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.
How can a donor get consent when he is not their?
Is this not male rape?
Let's extradite the authorities for questioning.
With the above comment, i dont see what is wrong with the decsions of the council. Sometimes I wonder whether we should create a seperate constitution for the community. The fairness aspect of the current constitution should be removed to suit the gay community.
However I do feel that this should be somewhat treated like trips to the dentist. First 2 tries 3000krs but then it goes down by half for the next 2 tries.. and if you still not prego theres something medically not cool so its free :D
Ethically I am against artificial insemination, there are far too many parentless children in the world today, in fact far too many people. I have also experienced first hand what happens in divorced families,1 parent families & homosexual families, children need their mother & father.