April 26, 2024

NY group sets up fund to support gay parents

Men Having Babies, Inc., a New York-based non-profit, is offering grants to help needy gays become parents.

 Men Having Babies, Inc., a New York-based non-profit, is offering grants to help needy gays become parents. So far three Connecticut surrogacy agencies and one Indian agency have ponied up US$40,000. Its goal is to raise $200,000 and to disburse several $10,000 and $20,000 grants.

The initiative was a feature of the 8th annual Surrogacy Seminar and Gay Parenting Expo, which attracted about 150 people. “This was the largest and most extensive program to date dedicated exclusively for gay prospective surrogacy parents,” said Dr Jeffrey Parsons, a Men Having Babies board member.

The group feel s that heterosexual couples, single women and lesbian couples can become biological parents relatively easily, and can access financial help to overcome infertility. But for gay couples – who often spend up to $110,000 to organise the delivery of a child – it is a far more expensive process. Men Having Babies also offers workshops, a support network, a website evaluating agencies and clinics, and so on. The first European seminar took place in Barcelona in April. 

Michael Cook
Creative commons
gay parenting
IVF
surrogacy