LOS ANGELES, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The nation's largest surrogacy agency applauds today's historic ruling by Justice Vaughn Walker striking down California's anti-gay Proposition 8 banning marriage between gay and lesbian couples.

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Founded in 1996 with the specific mission of assisting members of the gay and lesbian community create their families through surrogacy and egg donation, Growing Generations has been a long-time advocate for marriage equality and the recognition of same-sex parents and their families.

"This is a day we have all dreamed of and while our mission over the years has expanded to include all family types, this victory will provide the first steps at equality for our gay and lesbian families who are the foundation of our company's history," said Growing Generations Co-Owner Dr. Kim Bergman. "Both gay and straight families can celebrate this victory as it makes the United States one step closer to true civil rights for all of its citizens."

The case has national ramifications as it will be appealed and eventually be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court creating the possibility of marriage equality for gay and lesbian families in every state in the United States. It will also provide critical rights and access to a myriad of federal benefits available to straight couples with children but denied to gay couples with children including federal pensions and social security benefits for spouses.

"As a gay father, I am so thrilled that the case went this way and the forward momentum it gives the cause for justice," noted Growing Generations Co-Owner Stuart Miller. "For all of the families we have helped create as well as all of the other gay and lesbian families, this will be a day that is remembered and celebrated for decades to come."

Growing Generations provides financial support to a wide array of progressive non-profit organizations that support marriage equality and its owners serve on the Boards of the Family Equality Council and the American Fertility Association.

Founded in 1996, the agency has been instrumental in the births of over 900 babies for clients from 29 countries around the world. In addition to surrogacy, the company also has an egg donor program and sperm bank. It maintains offices in Los Angeles, New York, and the Ohio Valley.

To learn more about Growing Generations visit www.growinggenerations.com.

About Growing Generations, LLC

Since 1996, Growing Generations has been a company passionately dedicated to the vision of creating life and, in the process, changing the world. Founded by gay and lesbian parents, our mission is simple - to build families of choice for communities around the globe through surrogacy, egg donation, and sperm donation.

SOURCE Growing Generations