Did you know that there are currently 29 countries where same-sex marriage is legally recognized?
That’s a huge increase from just eight countries in 2010. Surprisingly, more than half of these countries are in Western Europe, while larger countries include The United States and the United Kingdom.
Unfortunately, many countries still haven’t legalized same-sex marriage; some haven’t even acknowledged LGBTQ+ rights. In fact, 33 countries have passed laws that prevent same-sex marriage, while others have prohibited or even criminalized same-sex relationships.
Although human rights organizations such as the United Nations are currently pushing for resolutions that support LGBTQ+ rights, it could be many years before these countries change their laws. To make matters more complicated, some countries also prohibit surrogacy. France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Bulgaria are just some examples.
But that doesn’t mean same-sex couples can’t become parents! It just requires a bit more homework.
If you’re a same-sex couple hoping to build a family, scheduling a consultation with Family Source Consultants is a good place to start.
Why do LGBT parents come to the U.S. for surrogacy?
Surrogacy is becoming increasingly popular around the world, particularly among gay couples who want to become parents. Until recently, the options for many same-sex couples to have children were quite limited. Even today, those who wish to become parents are often forced to go abroad if their home country does not allow surrogacy.
The United States is one of the most surrogacy-friendly countries in the world, especially for same-sex parents. The 2015 Supreme Court decision on marriage equality made it even easier for LGBT people to become parents by dramatically expanding the rights of same-sex partnerships. Same-sex couples now have more family planning options than ever before.
A growing number of U.S. states have now legitimized same-sex relationships and the rights of same-sex couples to build a family. These states have implemented statutes that permit or recognize surrogacy arrangements regardless of the intended parents’ sexual orientation.
It’s not surprising that same-sex couples worldwide – especially in Asia – are now seeking surrogacy services in the United States. International parents look to U.S. agencies for their high standard of service and their ability to match donors and IPs quickly. Since surrogacy is not yet legal in China, Japan, and South Korea, many couples from these countries are very eager to find surrogate moms in the U.S. In addition, the abolishment of China’s one-child policy in 2015 has spurred a huge surge in interest in U.S. surrogacy.
Why is California one of the best places for same-sex couples to pursue surrogacy?
The most surrogacy-friendly states in the U.S. include California, Illinois, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, New Hampshire, Oregon, Washington, and now New York.
California is considered one of the most liberal and surrogacy-friendly of the U.S. states, which makes our Los Angeles, California office the perfect location to pursue your surrogacy journey. We also offer offices in the surrogacy-friendly states of Illinois and Florida.
Thanks to the California Assembly Bill 1217, which was passed in 2013, surrogacy services are flourishing. This Bill has allowed intended parents to establish legal parentage through a pre-birth order, which means they no longer have to apply for post-birth adoption (as is still required in many other states).
Best of all, California’s surrogacy laws apply to all parents, regardless of their sexual orientation or whether they are married or unmarried.
Family Source Consultants prides itself on supporting same-sex relationships and family-building. We’re proud to have helped hundreds of same-sex couples from around the world to become parents – and we hope to help many more. To date, around half of Family Source Consultants’ clients are LGBT parents!
International Surrogacy for LGBT Parents
One of the things that make FSC superior is our ability to provide surrogacy services in various languages, including Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, French, and German. We truly enjoy catering to couples from countries that haven’t yet made surrogacy possible!
At FSC, our team of surrogacy and egg donation experts works closely with each of our international clients to ensure that everything runs smoothly. We focus on the individual needs of every intended parent, surrogate, and egg donor we serve.
Our international client relations specialists each have personal experience building their family as same-sex parents, as they are all former FSC clients who pursued surrogacy in the United States!
Surrogacy for Same-Sex Couples in China
Peter and Ben live in China and are proud fathers of two children – a son and daughter – born through surrogacy and egg donation. Ben says they had such a positive experience building their family with FSC that they were excited to have the opportunity to help others do the same. China decriminalized homosexuality in 1997 but does not recognize same-sex marriage. Same-sex couples are not allowed to marry or adopt in China, and households headed by such couples are not entitled to the same legal protections as heterosexual couples.
Surrogacy for LGBT Parents in France
Jerome and his partner are residents of France, where surrogacy arrangements are not legal. However, despite France’s stance on the legality of surrogacy, the country’s legislators agree that French children born in other countries with the assistance of surrogates should be recognized as the intended parents’ children when they return to France post-birth. French courts have also ruled that both members of a gay couple can be recognized as the parents of their child born through surrogacy.
How to embark on your surrogacy journey
If you’re an LGBTQ+ individual or a same-sex couple hoping to pursue surrogacy in the U.S., Family Source is ready to support you with everything you need to coordinate your international surrogacy program. We’ll assist with travel arrangements and help to coordinate meetings with your chosen surrogate. We also provide interpreters who will assist you through your match meeting with your surrogate and during appointments with the fertility clinic and your attorney.
Don’t let your country’s surrogacy laws get in the way of your dream of becoming a parent. Get in touch with FSC today, and we’ll help you make it happen!
Staci Swiderski, CEO and owner of Family Source Consultants has been involved in the field of reproductive medicine since 2002. Staci has vigorously grown the comprehensive egg donation and gestational surrogacy agency to become a worldwide leader in the third-party reproduction field. Staci is a former intended parent herself. She and her husband welcomed their son via gestational surrogacy in 2005. Additionally, Staci had the experience of assisting an infertile couple (AKA Recipient Parents) build their family through her efforts as an egg donor, with her donation resulting in the births of their son and daughter.
