For years, Tammy Myers, who was forced to adopt her biological twins, helped push to change Michigan surrogacy laws
Although her whole family celebrated when the Michigan Family Protection Act was signed into law last year, she couldn’t help but feel like the victory wasn’t real
But now that it’s finally gone into effect, Tammy tells PEOPLE “it means the world to know that no family will have to go through what we did”
After a yearslong battle, Tammy Myers feels like she can breathe freely.
On a rainy morning on Wednesday, April 2, the mom of three received a call from Sen. Winnie Brinks to celebrate the Michigan Family Protection Act, which was signed in 2024 and went into effect this week. The moment marked a long-awaited milestone for the Myers family, who were forced to adopt their own biological children born through surrogacy.
“It means the world to know that no family will have to go through what we did,” Tammy, 43, tells PEOPLE. “This change brings so much peace, dignity, and protection to families like mine.”
Tammy, who says she’s still pinching herself, spent the morning reflecting on all of the “emotional ups and downs” of the past four years. “It just brings me to tears,” she adds.
The Michigan Family Protection Act ensures the legalization and regulation of surrogacy, streamlines the process of obtaining formal parental recognition and better protects parents, surrogates and children.
“Essentially, if this law had been in place when Tammy and Jordan’s twins were born, they would have been able to obtain an order prior to the babies’ birth,” says Melissa Neckers, their lawyer and friend. “In other words, they could have enjoyed the amazing blessing of their babies without the stress and legal uncertainty they were subjected to.”
Tammy and her husband Jordan, 41, first made headlines after Eames and Ellison were born in 2021, as they detailed how, due to Michigan’s outdated laws, they had to fight in court to adopt them. The process took nearly two years.
And although the entire family was there when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the act into law, Tammy didn’t feel like the journey was really over. “The true celebration comes now,” she says.
The couple’s eldest daughter, Corryn, who was 8 years old when the twins were born, has been part of their journey from the start. She was a toddler when Tammy underwent treatment for breast cancer, which led to her decision to turn to surrogacy to expand their family.
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“It’s just been really special to bring her alongside of me, and show her that her voice matters,” says Tammy.
Meanwhile, Eames and Ellison, now 4 and “excelling” at preschool, are just beginning to understand how they joined their family. “We’ve recently shared that they did not grow in mommy’s belly,” she says, adding that it’s been “really special” for the entire family, including their surrogate, who serves as the children’s godmother.
The bills’ sponsor, Rep. Stephanie Steckloff, a fellow breast cancer survivor, is also celebrating the win.
“It’s a new day in Michigan — a day I’ve been dreaming about for years,” Steckloff tells PEOPLE in a statement. “Today we moved Michigan from among the most hostile states for building a non-traditional family to what I believe is now the nation’s flagship legal model.”
For Tammy, the fight continues. She plans to continue her advocacy work to help raise money and awareness for fertility treatments for people diagnosed with cancer – as well as meaningful legislative change.
Melissa Neckers-Vanderleek, Tammy Myers, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten, Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks. Tammy Myers
Tammy hopes that one day, when the twins are old enough, the fact that they helped play a role in changing history is “something they can be proud of.”
She adds, “I think that’s my greatest hope.”
