Corey Briskin and Nicholas Maggipinto, who are a gay couple, have taken the unusual step of filing a lawsuit against New York City as a group. They claim that the city’s health insurance plan discriminates against them. The lawsuit was filed on Thursday. It argues that male couples should have access to in vitro fertilisation (IVF) coverage. This is a significant moment in the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights.
Briskin and Maggipinto have been advocating for equal IVF benefits since 2014. They are highlighting the significant difference in media coverage between straight, gay, lesbian, and single women compared to male couples. The couple made a detailed plan to have a child. They decided to use IVF fertilisation and surrogacy. They hoped that their insurance would cover the cost of IVF.
Briskin and Maggipinto had to go to court because they discovered that the city’s health plan did not include coverage for IVF for gay men. The couple sued the city because, even though they reported discrimination to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2022, the policy remained unchanged.
The couple, who have lawyers named Peter Romer-Friedman and David Lopez, claim that the city’s refusal to provide IVF benefits to gay men violates federal laws, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and state human rights laws.
The lawsuit is about how the city’s definition of infertility is unfair because it only allows access to IVF for heterosexual couples, not treating gay men the same as straight men.
Briskin and Maggipinto are committed to fighting against discrimination, not just for their own personal reasons. They have received a lot of support for their cause. Ten members of the New York City Council have suggested a new law to increase the benefits of IVF. Federal judges have stated that it is unfair to deny coverage to same-sex couples.
During the ongoing court case, the couple’s resilience demonstrates the strong effort being made to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive justice. Their struggle to obtain fair IVF coverage extends beyond concerns about money. It is also a means to reform the system and uphold the principle that everyone should receive equal treatment.
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