Elton John becomes father via surrogate

[flatface]

Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish have become parents to a son born to a surrogate mother in California.

Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John was born on Christmas Day, the UK musician told the Usmagazine.com website.

"Zachary is healthy and doing really well, and we are very proud and happy parents," said the couple.

They provided no details about the surrogacy arrangement.

"We are overwhelmed with happiness and joy at this very special moment," the couple told the website in a statement.

They said the boy weighed 7lb15oz (3.6kg).

A representative for the couple said they intended to protect and respect the privacy of the surrogate mother, and would not be discussing any details relating to the surrogacy arrangements.

Sex And The City star Sarah Jessica Parker and her actor husband Matthew Broderick had twin girls by a surrogate mother in June last year and in 2008, pop star Ricky Martin also used a surrogate to have twin boys.

Sir Elton and Canadian filmmaker Mr Furnish met in 1993 and were joined in a civil ceremony in 2005.

Last year, the couple, who tried to adopt a 14-month old HIV positive boy from Ukraine named Lev.

However, Ukrainian officials said Sir Elton, 62, was too old and his civil partnership with Mr Furnish, 48, would not be recognised as a marriage by Kiev.

In December, Mr Furnish told the BBC that they were working to ensure Lev and his brother "have the best health care, education and family options available to them".

Sir Elton released his 30th studio album in October this year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12084650

Here is some information on Surrogacy

• The UK has strict regulations in place for anyone considering surrogacy, so sometimes couples consider going overseas to countries where it is easier to complete the process
  
• Barrie and Tony Drewitt-Barlow, became Britain's first gay surrogate parents in 1999
  
• In April 2010, changes to the law meant that for the first time in British history, two men could be named as parents on a child's birth certificate
  
• In the UK, the child's birth mother is always considered the legal parent unless this is changed by a parental order made by a court
  
• The US state of California is recognised as somewhere where surrogacy agreements - including those made by gay and lesbian couples - are generally accepted under law
  
• Other gay celebrities who have used a surrogate to have children this year include actor Neil Patrick Harris and his partner David Burtka

Discuss!

[Jordy]

I'm a little sceptical as Elton is a bit old, I'm never too keen on any older couple having children seeing as they'll probably be dead before their child is too old and it's not like they can run around with it, but his partner is 48 so I'm sure it'll do fine and be looked after very well

Congrats to all involved I suppose

[FlyingJesus]

I think it's great, he is a bit on the mature side but as Jordy said his partner's a fair bit younger, and let's face it with their money the kid wouldn't exactly be run ragged having to scrape care money if the parents did age before their time

[Catzsy]

I am sure it will be a well loved and well cared for child which is all that matters, really.

[Shar]

Good for them! I'm sure the baby will be very well taken care of.

[Sharon]

Aw best of luck to them!

[flatface]

I think Elton John is too old but other then that, good for them innit

[Ajthedragon]

Not being funny, but the child will grow up around a culture indulged with homophobia and will have a nightmare of a time at school. I just don't think it's fair on the kid. To me, the child has to come first, even if it is well looked after, it may still not be happy.

[Toasten]

I think the kid will grow up happy. I don't think that the homophobia will be an issue after watching the documentary on same sex parents.

[Jordy]

Homophobia really isn't that much of a big deal these days, I don't see why people always feel the need to exaggerate it, much like there isn't much racism. I hate to say it but I think most the people who bang on about homophobia just hold homophobic views themselves and presume everyone else does, it's quite an assumption I've made there but it's what I perceive. I see homophobia and racism as people physically attacking or verbally bullying these people, that very rarely goes on in this country anymore. I concede that privately a number of people hold views of a homophobic or racist manner but as long as they're not acting on their views it's no big deal. For instance my grandparents have very anti-homosexual views but they wouldn't treat a homosexual any different so it doesn't really matter.

I very much doubt this child will be bullied for homosexual parents and I maintain it won't happen much to other children. Also bare in mind in the last 10 years attitudes have changed, in another 10 or so when the child is being brought up, gay parents will be much more common-place and homosexuality will be even more widely accepted.