The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has agreed to issue birth certificates for two same-sex couples.
In both cases, the women had children through artificial insemination.
Kansas law says a married couple can both be listed on the birth certificate for a child born through artificial insemination, but the department initially declined to list two women as the parents.
Attorney David Brown represents a Lawrence couple in a lawsuit over the issue.
“It’s unfortunate they had to go through a legal battle to get the state to do what, realistically, they should have done in the first place," Brown said. "My clients are happy that both of their names are going to be on their child’s birth certificate."
KDHE spokesperson Sara Belfry says they issued the certificates after reviewing applicable laws and court orders. She says they will issue birth certificates in the future to same-sex couples.
“Based on the cases that we are looking at currently, in these types of situations we will continue to issue birth certificates,” she said.
Stephen Koranda is a reporter for KPR in Lawrence, Kansas.
