Surrogacy is often one of the last options for heterosexual couples wanting to have children, but for LGBTQ+ couples, it is one of the only options outside of adoption. Adoption is an expensive and complicated process, and laws vary state by state, with some states banning LGBTQ+ adoptions.
While the surrogacy process is typically not significantly different for same-sex couples and LGBTQ+ individuals than for heterosexual intended parents, there are some considerations to take into account.
There are two important decisions that must be made before beginning the process. The first is deciding who will be genetically related to the child. Unlike in straight surrogacy, in which both parents’ genetic material is often used to create an embryo, same-sex couples must decide whose sperm or egg will be used. Second, the couple must choose if they want to use an anonymous donor or an individual they already know. Once these two decisions have been finalized, the surrogacy journey can continue as it would with a heterosexual couple.
In some states, LGBTQ+ couples may have to undergo an additional process to both be legally recognized as the parents of the child. However, in Texas, LGBTQ+ intended parents are treated the same under Texas surrogacy laws as any heteronormative intended parents as long as they are married. If they are not married, they must do a second-parent adoption after the baby is born. This step can be explained further by a surrogacy attorney.
An experienced surrogacy agency, such as Shared Conception, can help you navigate the entire surrogacy process. Our mission is to give all that want a family the proper path to achieving one. Give us a call today or check us out on the web at www.sharedconception.com.
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