Definitions and terms
The following provides definitions of terms used by Rainbow Families Council on this website, which are also widespread within our communities. However, different families will have their own definitions and language that they feel comfortable with.
Parent Any adult who in fact bears parental responsibility for a child. This includes both birth/biological parents and non-birth/non-biological parents (generally the birth/biological parent’s partner), even where current law does not recognise their parental status. It does not include donors, known or otherwise.
Mother A woman who is a parent, regardless of biological relatedness.
Birth mother The woman who gave birth to the child. This is the preferred term in families where two women are parenting a child from birth.
Non-birth mother The female parent of a child since that child’s birth, who did not give birth to the child. This is the preferred term in families where two women are parenting a child from birth.
Father A man who is a parent (see above), regardless of biological relatedness (i.e. includes biological fathers and non-biological fathers, the male equivalent to birth and non-birth mothers).
Biological parent A parent (see above) who is biologically related to the child. Includes for example the birth mother (usually) and biological father (for example a man who has fathered a child through surrogacy).
Non-biological parent A parent (see above) who is not biologically related to the child. Includes for example the non-birth mother and non-biological father (for example the male partner of a man who has fathered a child through surrogacy).
Known sperm donor A man biologically related to the child and known to the family. He may or may not have contact with the child. Note that in some families where the known donor is known to the child, he may be referred to using a variety of terms, including sometimes 'donor dad', or 'dad', which do not imply parental status or responsibility.
Unknown sperm donor The man who is biologically related to the child and is not known to the family. He may be anonymous or, in Victoria, his identity may be available when the child turns 18 or before with the consent of all parties (also known as ‘identity release donor’).
Domestic partnership Partnership as defined under Victorian law to include two adults of the same or different genders. For most aspects of Victorian law this includes a requirement that the couple live together ‘on a genuine domestic basis’.
Self insemination When a woman inseminates herself. This practice is NOT regarded as illegal under Victorian law.
Home insemination This is the preferred term for practices often referred to as ‘self insemination’, generally involving insemination of a woman by a partner or friend at home using sperm from a known donor. This practice is ILLEGAL under Section 7 of the Infertility Treatment Act. Note that no one has ever been prosecuted, but the effect is to deter those engaged in home insemination from seeking medical or legal advice.
A note about language
Language is a key issue for rainbow family rights, in particular the slippage in understandings of ‘donor’, ‘parent’ and ‘father’ when lesbian-headed families are being spoken about (compared with when lesbian-headed families are speaking about themselves). We have seen this confusion played out, for example, in various Family Court cases.
