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 the show's season-long focus on LGBTQ+ issues in reproductive medicine, was released on the eve of Pride Month and features host Jeffrey Hayes and co-host Dr. Lowell Ku alongside Oleaga and Jennifer Maas.
The conversation centered on how recent legislative shifts are affecting access to fertility treatment, family building, abortion services, and gender-affirming reproductive care. Oleaga and her co-panelists examined the complicated legal landscape that families navigate, the influence of ideology on medical decision-making, and the role of advocacy in protecting reproductive autonomy. The discussion underscores the importance of understanding the evolving legal framework that LGBTQ+ individuals and couples face when seeking to build families through assisted reproduction.
Oleaga's expertise in family equality is informed by her involvement in landmark cases and legislative efforts. She was instrumental in the New York Supreme Court's Matter of Baby DKN decision, 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, which strengthened legal protections for LGBTQ+ parents, and LD 1539, An Act to Provide Access to Fertility Care, which expanded insurance coverage for fertility treatment in Maine. These contributions highlight the critical intersection of law and reproductive medicine in ensuring equitable access to care.
Janene 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. Her practice is built on the belief that everyone deserves to grow a family, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, relationship status, or genetic connection.
The full episode is available on all podcast streaming platforms. For more information about Oleaga Law LLC and its services, visit oleagalaw.com. The firm maintains offices in Portland, Maine and New York City, working with clients across the U.S. and internationally.
