Building LGBTQ+ Families
Courses, Guides & Support
At Family By Choice, we recognise and affirm LGBTQ+ parenthood as a valid and meaningful path to building a family.
For many LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, the journey to parenthood can involve navigating complex medical, legal, and emotional considerations.
Our goal is to provide educational resources that help you understand available pathways and feel supported as you explore your options.
These courses offer an overview of key family-building routes, including IVF, surrogacy, and donor conception. They are designed to share expert-informed educational content, lived experiences, and community perspectives, helping you better understand how different pathways may work in practice.
Your path to parenthood is personal, and access to clear information and supportive resources can make that journey feel more manageable.
Explore LGBTQ+ Family-Building Courses
At Family By Choice, our aim is to provide clear, educational support for people exploring different paths to parenthood. We offer a range of online courses and resources created for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples who want to better understand fertility-related options, legal considerations, and emotional aspects of family building.
Below are some of our featured courses focused on LGBTQ+ family building.
Each course includes structured lessons, Q&As with professionals involved in fertility-related fields, and access to a community space where members can share experiences and perspectives.
Courses in this category:
Surrogacy abroad – Navigating global programs and legalities
This masterclass explores how surrogacy may be pursued by LGBTQ+ intended parents in different parts of the world, including how legal frameworks vary by country, how parental rights are typically addressed, and what emotional, cultural, and financial considerations are commonly involved in international arrangements.
From the U.S. and Canada to countries such as Colombia, Mexico, and emerging destinations that are being discussed within the global surrogacy space, this course provides a country-by-country overview of how surrogacy is approached for same-sex couples and single parents, based on current laws, policies, and practices.
You’ll hear from international lawyers, fertility advocates, and intended parents who have pursued surrogacy abroad, sharing their personal experiences, lessons learned, and reflections on the process.
Inclusive. Global. Family-focused.
Speakers:
- Olga Pysana, Co-founder Family By Choice, Independent International Surrogacy Consultant
- Santiago Martinez, Founding Partner & Legal Representative, Colombia
- Anastasia Herman, International ART Lawyer, Ukraine
- Maz Adam Iqbal, International Surrogacy Consultant, UK Barrister & Mediator
- Vardan Stepanyan, Corporate & Finance Lawyer, Armenia
Two dads and a dream – Surrogacy for gay couples
This course is created for gay men exploring family building through surrogacy, offering educational content that reflects practical considerations, personal experiences, and emotional perspectives shared by others who have taken this path.
The course covers topics such as egg donor and surrogate selection, international legal considerations, and approaches to discussing a child’s origin story, presented in an informational and reflective way rather than as prescriptive guidance.
You’ll hear from fathers, mental health professionals, and independent consultants who share their experiences and professional perspectives on the opportunities and challenges associated with surrogacy for gay couples.
Proud dads. Shared experiences. Thoughtful support.
Speakers:
- Olga Pysana, Co-founder Family By Choice, Independent International Surrogacy Consultant
- Shaun Thomas, Independent Surrogacy Consultant
Why Learn with Family By Choice
Family By Choice is an educational platform focused on supporting people who are exploring different paths to parenthood.
Our aim is to provide accessible learning resources for LGBTQ+ family building, combining educational content with real-life perspectives from families who have navigated these journeys.
Members gain access to:
Insights shared by professionals working in fertility-related fields and LGBTQ+ parents
Educational overviews of legal considerations across common surrogacy destinations
Emotional support resources and community discussion spaces
FAQs
Q: What is the best family-building option for gay couples?
A: There isn’t one universal “best” option – different paths to parenthood may suit different people at different stages of life.
Some male couples explore surrogacy with an egg donor as a way to have a genetic connection to their child, while others consider adoption or foster care, which can offer the opportunity to provide a home to a child in need.
Co-parenting arrangements are another option some couples look into, typically involving shared parenting responsibilities and carefully defined legal and personal agreements.
Families are formed in many ways, and there is no single route that applies to everyone. Choices often depend on personal circumstances, values, legal frameworks, and practical considerations, which can vary by country and situation.
Family By Choice courses are designed to provide educational overviews of these different pathways, helping LGBTQ+ individuals and couples better understand how each option is commonly approached, without prescribing a single “right” decision.
Q: How does reciprocal IVF work?
A: Reciprocal IVF is a form of IVF that allows two women or AFAB partners to both participate biologically in the process of having a child.
In this approach, one partner undergoes ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval, and the eggs are fertilised with donor sperm in a laboratory to create embryos. An embryo is then transferred into the other partner’s uterus, who carries the pregnancy and gives birth.
Through this process, one partner has a genetic connection to the child, while the other has a gestational connection. Some couples choose this option because it allows both partners to be physically involved in different stages of family building.
Reciprocal IVF involves IVF treatment and medical procedures, and costs and requirements can vary depending on location, clinic, and individual circumstances.
Legal recognition of both parents also depends on local laws, and in some jurisdictions, additional legal steps such as parentage orders or adoption may be recommended to ensure parental rights are clearly established.
Q: Is surrogacy legal for same-sex couples everywhere?
A: No. Surrogacy laws vary widely between countries and, in some cases, within individual regions or states. Legal frameworks differ in how surrogacy is regulated, who is eligible to pursue it, and how parental rights are established.
In some jurisdictions, surrogacy is permitted for same-sex couples under specific legal conditions, while in others it may be restricted to certain family structures or prohibited altogether.
For example, in the United States, surrogacy law is determined at the state level, meaning legal protections and processes differ from one state to another.
In other countries, surrogacy may be limited to altruistic arrangements or not permitted at all.
Access to surrogacy for LGBTQ+ intended parents can also change over time, as laws and policies are updated.
Because of this variability, legal advice from professionals experienced in reproductive and family law is generally recommended before pursuing surrogacy, particularly in cross-border situations.
Family By Choice courses are designed to provide educational overviews of how surrogacy laws are commonly structured in different regions and why legal frameworks matter, rather than offering legal advice or guarantees.
Q: How much does IVF cost for lesbian couples?
A: The cost of IVF for lesbian couples is generally comparable to that of other patients undergoing IVF, though there may be additional expenses depending on individual circumstances.
These can include donor sperm and, in some cases, reciprocal IVF, where one partner provides the eggs and the other carries the pregnancy.
IVF costs vary widely by country, clinic, and treatment plan.
Expenses may include medical procedures, medications, donor sperm, testing, and consultations, and costs can increase if multiple cycles are needed.
Coverage by insurance or public healthcare systems also varies and often depends on local policies, medical indications, and eligibility criteria.
Because pricing structures and coverage differ significantly, intended parents are encouraged to request detailed, itemised cost estimates from clinics and to ask about available options such as treatment packages, payment plans, or employer benefits.
Your Goals Matter To Us!
We’ve covered a lot, and it’s natural to feel a mix of emotions as you explore different family-building options.
Taking time to process information and ask questions is an important part of this journey.
LGBTQ+ family building can involve challenges, but many people also find value in access to clear information, shared experiences, and supportive communities as they navigate their options.
If you’d like to continue learning, you’re welcome to explore Family By Choice membership.
Our courses and community spaces are designed to offer educational resources and opportunities to connect with others who are exploring similar paths.
Whether you’re just beginning to look into your options or are already navigating the process, we aim to provide a supportive learning environment as you consider what feels right for you.
Your family-building choices are personal, and having access to information and community support can help you make them with greater clarity.
Explore Our Courses
Surrogacy Journey
IVF & Fertility Journey
Egg, Sperm & Embryo Donation
Single Parent Journey
Natural Fertility Support
Mind and Body Preparations
Related Blog Posts
A Complete Guide to Egg Banks for Intended Parents (2026)
Fresh vs. Frozen Donor Eggs: What’s the Difference?
How to Do IVF with Donor Eggs: A Complete Beginner’s Guide
Preparing for IVF: Questions to Ask Your Fertility Doctor
How to Start Surrogacy with Donor Eggs: A Complete Guide for Every Family
