Zoe's struggle to see her daughter
Donation protected
My name is Zoe and my partner and I had a baby girl together. Khloe was born on July 29, 2013 at 2:32 a.m. I fell in love with Khloe the moment I saw her. I cut her umbilical cord and she has my middle and last name. I am named on Khloe's birth certificate as co-parent.
Unfortunately, and after some time, my partner and I broke up, but I hoped we could co-parent Khloe as friends. Soon after Khloe's first birthday, the other mom would no longer let me or my family see my baby girl. I still don't know the reasons behind this action and have been fighting to see Khloe ever since. For four months now, I have been going to court to win the right to see Khloe. On January 16, 2015 I was granted a temporary, interim access order which allows me to see Khloe for a few hours three times per month.
Now....if I want to be granted guardianship and parenting I have to make a constitutional challenge to the Family Law Act to win at trial for guardianship, parenting or contact time.
Why do I have to do this?
--I am not described as a parent in the Family Law Act (FLA) in Alberta (Section 7(2)).
--Section 8 (FLA) says that a male person is presumed to be a parent and the bio parent under certain circumstances. The bottom line is that if I was a male on the birth certificate, even without being the bio dad I would be considered a parent and guardian.
Why do I want to do this?
On July 29, 2013 my life changed forever. I became a mom when I never thought it would happen. I fell in love with my daughter and signed up for sleepness nights, diaper changes, baths, cuddles, story time, parent-teacher interviews, field trips, scraped knees, graduation, moral and ethical role modeling, financial responsibility and everything in between.
While this struggle is about me and Khloe, it will be a victory for all same-sex moms who find themselves in the same situation. Challenging the constitution changes the laws that will affect my daughter as she
grows up. This is a lengthy and expensive battle that I am excited and scared to embark upon, but one that I feel I have to.
Thank you for reading our story. I will keep you posted on what's happening. Please help however you can including sharing our story with your networks.
Unfortunately, and after some time, my partner and I broke up, but I hoped we could co-parent Khloe as friends. Soon after Khloe's first birthday, the other mom would no longer let me or my family see my baby girl. I still don't know the reasons behind this action and have been fighting to see Khloe ever since. For four months now, I have been going to court to win the right to see Khloe. On January 16, 2015 I was granted a temporary, interim access order which allows me to see Khloe for a few hours three times per month.
Now....if I want to be granted guardianship and parenting I have to make a constitutional challenge to the Family Law Act to win at trial for guardianship, parenting or contact time.
Why do I have to do this?
--I am not described as a parent in the Family Law Act (FLA) in Alberta (Section 7(2)).
--Section 8 (FLA) says that a male person is presumed to be a parent and the bio parent under certain circumstances. The bottom line is that if I was a male on the birth certificate, even without being the bio dad I would be considered a parent and guardian.
Why do I want to do this?
On July 29, 2013 my life changed forever. I became a mom when I never thought it would happen. I fell in love with my daughter and signed up for sleepness nights, diaper changes, baths, cuddles, story time, parent-teacher interviews, field trips, scraped knees, graduation, moral and ethical role modeling, financial responsibility and everything in between.
While this struggle is about me and Khloe, it will be a victory for all same-sex moms who find themselves in the same situation. Challenging the constitution changes the laws that will affect my daughter as she
grows up. This is a lengthy and expensive battle that I am excited and scared to embark upon, but one that I feel I have to.
Thank you for reading our story. I will keep you posted on what's happening. Please help however you can including sharing our story with your networks.
Organizer
Zoe Ayouka
Organizer
Edmonton, AB
