Mom Who Had to Adopt Her Biological Twins Celebrates New Surrogacy Law: “It Means the World”
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After years of fighting to change outdated laws in Michigan, Tammy Myers is finally celebrating a hard-won victory: the state’s new surrogacy legislation has officially gone into effect.
On the morning of April 2, Tammy received a phone call from Michigan State Senator Winnie Brinks confirming that the Michigan Family Protection Act, signed into law in 2024, had become active. The news marked the end of a long emotional journey for Tammy and her husband Jordan Myers, who were once forced to adopt their own biological twins, Eames and Ellison, born through surrogacy.
“It means the world to know that no family will have to go through what we did,” says Tammy, 43, in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE. “This change brings so much peace, dignity, and protection to families like mine.”
The Michigan Family Protection Act legalizes and regulates surrogacy, making it easier for parents to be recognized legally before their babies are even born. Had this law existed in 2021, the Myers would have avoided a lengthy and painful two-year legal process just to be declared the legal parents of their own biological children.
Melissa Neckers, the Myers’ attorney and close friend, explains, “They could’ve simply welcomed their babies into the world without the stress and legal battles.”
The Myers family made headlines in 2021 when they shared their struggle to adopt their twins, despite being their biological parents. Their story resonated with families across the country and helped fuel the push for reform. Although they were present when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the bill into law last year, Tammy admits she didn’t feel a sense of closure—until now.
“The true celebration comes now,” she says.
Tammy’s advocacy was inspired in part by her daughter, Corryn, who was only 8 when the twins were born. Tammy had previously battled breast cancer, which led the couple to turn to surrogacy to grow their family. “It’s been really special to bring her alongside of me and show her that her voice matters,” says Tammy.
Now, at age 4, twins Eames and Ellison are thriving in preschool and starting to learn their birth story. “We’ve recently shared that they didn’t grow in mommy’s belly,” says Tammy. “It’s been really special—including for our surrogate, who is now their godmother.”
Representative Samantha Steckloff, who sponsored the legislation and is also a breast cancer survivor, called the new law a landmark moment: “Today we moved Michigan from one of the most hostile states for building a non-traditional family to what I believe is now the nation’s flagship legal model.”
Although Tammy is relieved, her work isn’t done. She plans to continue advocating for access to fertility treatment for cancer patients and further legislative change.
“This is about more than just my family,” she says. “It’s about making sure everyone has a fair, dignified path to parenthood.”
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