Re: shut up justin
I completely agree with you. But I also want to add that the issue is not resolved in this episode and eventually Brian will acknowledge Mel's rights, because the writers want to stress that that's the correct moral choice, in spite of what the law might say.
Parenthood rights over Gus should have been Mel's to start with, because she's the one who, with Lindsay, wanted the child and was raising him. Period.
They had all agreed on Brian donating the sperm, and I personally think it was brilliant of the lesbian to leave open the opportunity for Brian to be part of Gus' life.
But the reality is that if Lindsay had been married to a man who couldn't conceive children and Brian (or anyone else)had agreed to donate his sperm, the issue wouldn't exist because Lindsay's male partner would be legally and morally recognized as the real parent by everyone.
Brian's legal rights are based on heterocentric laws, which are morally wrong, no matter how much he then becomes attached and even loves Gus.
It hurts me, it seriously does, when I see fans discuss the issue in terms of Brian "sacrificing" his rights, or Mel "depriving" him of those. I consider that line of reasoning fundamentally homophobic.