Andy Cohen Is Taking on a Social Issue Close to His Heart: Making Surrogacy Legal in New York (UPDATED)

UPDATE (June 12, 2019, 11:00 a.m.): Andy Cohen posted an update about his time spent in Albany working to change the laws in New York state to make paid gestational surrogacy legal. Alongside a photo of him and Governor Andrew Cuomo, Andy wrote on Instagram, "Spent the day in Albany lobbying for passage of the #ChildParentSecurityAct - & also [complimented] the Governor’s thick head of hair... New York is one of 3 states where surrogacy is illegal, which seems draconian. If you live in NY, PLEASE call your local Assemblyperson and ask them to pass this. The vote is going to be very close and many democrats from Manhattan are poised to not represent their constituents & vote against it. This measure has a groundbreaking Surrogates Bill of Rights that will protect women at all costs, and help infertile women and LGBTQ start families. This is about letting women choose what they want to do with their bodies while giving the ultimate gift to people who need help having children. Thanks for listening."

The original story continues below.

When Andy Cohen welcomed his son, Benjamin Allen Cohen, in February via surrogate, he opened up about why he had to leave NYC and head to California where he “worked with an organization that helps you find the egg donor and the surrogate, and you kind of package the whole process," as he told PEOPLE at the time.

“I worked with an incredible surrogate. She was in California. Surrogacy is illegal in so many states, including New York. I don’t understand why. It’s a voluntary process, obviously. My surrogate just viewed it as, she was giving me the ultimate gift. She gave me life," he said. "So I’ll be forever indebted to her.” 

Now, the Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen host is working to help change the laws in New York state to make it legal for paid gestational surrogacy, which is when a woman is compensated for carrying a baby for its parents, according to NBC News. Andy headed to Instagram to confirm that he met with Governor Cuomo about supporting the cause.

"It was an honor to stand alongside Governor Cuomo yesterday to speak about the important role surrogacy has played in my life and why NY must pass the #ChildParentSecurityAct that will enable more families, like me and Benjamin, to be created!" he wrote about the experience. "How is surrogacy illegal in NY?? (We are only one of three states where it’s not legal, yet we are an allegedly progressive state.) I’m heading to Albany this morning to see if we can turn this around. #ModernFamiliesNY."

And his activism is certainly getting support from some Real Housewives.

"Good job boss," Tamra Judge commented. Cynthia Bailey added, "Awesome."

RHOA pal Tanya Sam applauded him as well: "Illegal In NY? I did not know this! Great work Andy."

Andy is shining a light on this important issue in the middle of Bravo's month-long celebration of WorldPride, the largest Pride celebration in the world, marking the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising and 50 years of LGBTQIA+ liberation. The celebration will also include special content on Bravo, its social media feeds, and Bravotv.com throughout June as well as a Bravo-centric float in NYC later this month.

The WWHL host and several other Bravo stars will be at the New York City Pride March on June 30. “Bravo has a long history of representing the LGBTQ community through its programming,” Andy said in a statement while announcing Bravo's celebration of WorldPride this month. “I’m proud to be a part of this network and its history, and I’m honored to be marching toward another 50 years of progress and equality.”