Surrogacy for gay couples: how can same-sex couples have a child? 

Nowadays, the LGPTQ right is a hot topic to change men’s minds. One of the key rights that many people advocate for is the opportunity for LGBTQ individuals to create and raise families. This is a significant step toward equality and acceptance for all.

Surrogacy for gay couples is a way for them to have a family when they can’t have children alone. It involves another woman carrying and giving birth to a baby for them. 

In this piece, we talk about all the legal processes, restrictions, and methods available for these people to receive their dreams of family. 

How Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Couples Can Grow Their Families? 

Before anything else, let’s explore the different ways that the LGBTQ community and same sex couples can have children.

• Surrogacy for Gay  Couples

• Gestational vs. Traditional Surrogacy: Many gay male couples choose gestational surrogacy with egg donation to have children. In this process, the surrogate carries the baby but is not genetically related to it. Another option is traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate also provides the egg, but this method is less common.
• Biological Connection: One or both partners can be genetically related to the child by providing sperm for fertilization.

• Lesbian Couples

• Sperm Donation: Lesbian couples typically require a sperm donor for conception., if they don’t face challenges related to pregnancy, female couples don’t need to use a surrogate to have a child.
• Biological Connection: One partner may provide eggs for IVF, while the other may carry the pregnancy, allowing both to have a biological connection to the child.

• Other LGBTQ+ Individuals

• Transgender Individuals: Transgender people have different options when it comes to having children, depending on where they are in their transition. Some may be able to contribute their genetic material or even carry a baby themselves.
• Non-binary and Queer Individuals: These individuals may face unique challenges in navigating traditional family structures but can also benefit from surrogacy to build their families.

Now, get back to the main topic: surrogacy for gay men couples. First, we answer the two most important questions: 

How does the surrogacy process work for gay men?

As we said, gay male couples typically choose gestational surrogacy, where an egg donor provides the egg, and the surrogate carries the baby but has no genetic link to the child. 

One partner provides sperm for fertilization through IVF, and the embryo is then implanted into the surrogate.

Surrogacy agencies usually do this work; they find the surrogate and egg donor for you through a matching process. 

After this, both parties work together to create a legal agreement with the help of a lawyer. Once this agreement is finalized, the surrogate can have an embryo transfer. Agencies carefully screen all their surrogates, allowing them to proceed with the embryo transfer soon after everything is settled.

Who will be the biological father if we use a surrogate?

Both members of a gay couple can provide sperm, and fertility clinics often split donor eggs 50/50, allowing each partner to create embryos. However, each embryo will have only one biological father. Some couples may choose only one partner to be the biological father based on sperm quality (assessed by semen analysis) or personal preferences.

What is the cost of surrogacy for gay couples?

The treatment is expensive because it’s not allowed in every country. The cost can change depending on where you are, your chosen clinic, and the specific type of treatment you need.

For example, 

• United States: The cost of surrogacy in the U.S. typically ranges from $150,000 to $250,000. This includes surrogate compensation, agency fees, legal expenses, IVF procedures, and egg donation fees.
• Canada: In Canada, altruistic surrogacy is more common, and costs can range from $80,000 to $120,000, including agency, medical, and legal fees.
• International Options: Countries like Colombia and Mexico offer more affordable options, with costs ranging from $65,000 to $90,000 in Colombia and $70,000 to $80,000 in Mexico.

The surrogacy cost component includes surrogate compensation (additional expense for surrogate health, etc.), legal fees, IVF and egg donation, and insurance travel.

What are the legal processes in surrogacy for same-sex couples?

The table below provides the necessary data about the legal process. An important point is that this process differs from country to country, and you must talk with a lawyer.