Queensland became the last Australian state to decriminalise altruistic surrogacy in a surprise move last Thursday evening.

In the states local government meeting a free ‘conscience’ vote was held, which saw  the Bligh Government’s surrogacy bill was passed,     this bill allows gay couples and single parents to have children through surrogacy in tropical north eastern state.   Local media reported that after hours of debate the law was passed 45 votes to 36. Seven MPs chose not to vote.   Some MPs said that they could not support a Bill that sets out to separate a child from its birth mother.   The issue of supporting same sex or single parenting was also considered by some of those MPs as ‘problemati’.

Surrogacy,  has been legal in all the other Australian states and territories,  as long as it is ‘Altruistic’   Commercial surrogacy remains illegal. Australian gay groups and equal rights campaigners have welcomed the change in the law.

The news comes just days before the entire countries gay and lesbian population cenebrate one of the biggest gay pride events in the world, The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras!   This year the great gay festival kicks off this weekend with the main huge parade and massive party  behind held the weekend after, 27 Feb.

Sydney plays host to a whole load of celebrities, including gay novelist Paul Burston, Gay porn star Brent Corrigan,  John Waters and Whitney Houston during the festival that brings millions of visitors to the city.   This years event promises to be no different and is the biggest gay festival in the world!