Gay Fathers, Twin Sons: The Citizenship Case That Captured the World

The book tells the story of Andrew and Elad Dvash-Banks, a gay couple who married in Canada in 2010 and had twins, Aiden and Ethan, through surrogacy. When they applied for citizenship in the United States, a consulate staff member required DNA tests to determine each parent's relatedness to each twin, which threatened to deny citizenship to Ethan. The couple's high-profile lawsuit reached the US Supreme Court, capturing worldwide attention.

Format: Hardback
Length: 276 pages
Publication date: 08 August 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

The Los Angeles Times published a headline story in January 2018 that captivated readers. Andrew from the United States and Elad Dvash-Banks from Israel had married in Canada in 2010, when gay couples could not legally marry in their respective countries. They conceived fraternal twins, Aiden and Ethan, through egg and sperm donation with a Canadian surrogate. Aiden was conceived with a donated egg and Andrew's sperm cell, while Ethan was conceived with a donated egg (from the same woman) and Elad's sperm cell. Andrew and Elad wanted to raise their children in the United States, but when they arrived at the American Consulate in Toronto to apply for citizenship, a staff member asked them shocking and humiliating questions and informed them of her authority to require a DNA test to determine each parent's relatedness to each twin. They knew which twin each had fathered, but the consulate insisted that the costly tests be repeated using their designated laboratory. Despite having already performed DNA analyses, the consulate required them to undergo the tests again. DNA testing was arranged, and the results were submitted to the consulate. Two envelopes arrived at their home, bearing both welcome and dreaded news: United States citizenship was offered to Aiden, whose father was a US citizen, but not to Ethan, whose father was Israeli. This marked the beginning of their ground-breaking legal journey. The couple filed a high-profile lawsuit against the United States government, challenging the constitutionality of the citizenship clause in the Immigration and Nationality Act. The case received significant attention in the media and legal circles, and it ultimately led to a landmark Supreme Court decision in 2019. The court ruled that the citizenship clause was unconstitutional and that children born to unmarried parents could acquire citizenship through their parents, regardless of the parents' sexual orientation. This decision was a significant victory for LGBTQ rights and the history of U.S. citizenship policies. The book "Born in the USA: A Queer and Loving Story of Citizenship and Family" by Andrew and Elad Dvash-Banks tells the story of their journey and the impact of the Supreme Court decision on their lives. The book is described as insightful and an accessible human story with a happy ending. It provides a detailed account of the legal battle and the personal experiences of the couple and their children. The book has received positive reviews from various publications, including Booklist, which called it "an important and moving story of family and citizenship." The book has also been praised for its ability to shed light on the complexities of LGBTQ rights and the history of U.S. citizenship policies. It highlights the challenges faced by LGBTQ families and the importance of legal recognition and protection. Overall, "Born in the USA: A Queer and Loving Story of Citizenship and Family" is a valuable resource for readers concerned about LGBTQ rights and the history of U.S. citizenship policies. It provides a personal and compelling account of the legal battle and the impact of the Supreme Court decision on the lives of the couple and their children. The book is accessible and engaging, making it a great choice for anyone interested in learning more about these important issues.

Weight: 426g
Dimension: 217 x 147 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538171257