In April, the New York State Assembly will vote on a Budget Bill which includes “The Child-Parent Security Act” (A.6959A/S.17A). This is quite an Orwellian title for legalizing surrogacy in New York state.

More than 30 years ago, Chesler viewed the rise of commercial surrogacy with fear and trembling. She immediately saw this as a new kind of custody battle, one that pitted wealthy people against impoverished global women, often of color. Chesler published a book about custody battles—Mothers on Trial: The Battle for Children and Custody—and a book about surrogacy—Sacred Bond: The Legacy of Baby M.