Janene Oleaga, Esq., founder of Oleaga Law LLC, recently appeared on ASRM Today, the podcast of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, to discuss the political and legal forces shaping access to reproductive care for LGBTQ+ patients. The episode, part of a season-long focus on LGBTQ+ issues in reproductive medicine, was hosted by Jeffrey Hayes and co-host Dr. Lowell Ku, who were joined by Oleaga and Jennifer Maas.
The conversation examined how recent legislative shifts are affecting access to fertility treatment, family building, abortion services, and gender-affirming reproductive care. The group explored the complicated laws families navigate, the influence of ideology on medical decision making, and the role of advocacy in protecting reproductive autonomy. The episode was released on the eve of Pride Month, underscoring its timely relevance.
Oleaga's record on family equality includes the landmark New York Supreme Court case Matter of Baby DKN, which recognized three legal parents to a child born through assisted reproduction. She also testified before the Maine Legislature in support of LD 1906, an act to enable confirmatory adoption that strengthened legal protections for LGBTQ+ parents, and LD 1539, which expanded insurance coverage for fertility treatment in Maine.
Oleaga founded Oleaga Law LLC to help individuals and couples build their families through assisted reproduction and adoption. Licensed in New York, Maine, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, she is a member of ASRM's Legal Professionals Group and serves on the boards of NYAAFF, New England Fertility Society, AllPaths, and the BIVF Foundation. The full episode is available on all podcast streaming platforms at ASRM Today.
This discussion matters because it highlights the ongoing legal and political challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face in accessing fertility care, and the importance of advocacy in securing reproductive rights. As legislative landscapes shift, understanding these forces is crucial for patients, providers, and policymakers. Oleaga's insights, drawn from her legal practice and advocacy, provide a roadmap for navigating these complexities and underscore the need for continued efforts to ensure equitable access to family-building options.
