When intended parents in the LGBT community begin looking for a surrogate, they are likely to encounter many forms of opposition. This opposition may even be from family and friends. However, they are more likely to encounter opposition from agencies while looking for a surrogate. In addition, the most complicated and damaging opposition may be found in State laws. 

When LGBT individuals who intend to become parents attempt to have a surrogate baby, they are likely to experience bias from those around them. Opposition can even be seen among those who otherwise support the LGBT community. There are some who believe that the right of parenthood should not extend to the LGBT community. Many people believe that parents should be a married couple. 

Unfortunately, intended parents must also consider the opposition that the child will experience in their community. For example, they may have difficulties in school and in playgroups because they have non-traditional parents. In addition, schools may not recognize the parental rights of both intended parents.

For instance, they may not allow both parents the right to take their child home from school. This can provide additional legal complications for the intended parents. However, society finally seems to be becoming more accepting of all parents as long as they are loving and caring. 

LGBT couples must realize that they are more likely to experience legal opposition to their rights regarding a surrogate baby. Although LGBT couples are likely to encounter opposition throughout the process, they can allow that opposition to bring them closer together as a family.

The family bond can be made stronger by having common goals and belief systems. By fighting for their rights regarding parenthood, LGBT couples fight for all of their rights and allow society to consider them as equals.

It is recommended that anyone who intends to be a parent to a surrogate child utilize the services of a surrogacy facility. California is the State with the most agencies that help those in the LGBT community find a surrogate mother. However, there are also agencies in other states, such as Connecticut and Massachusetts, that offer assistance to the LGBT community.

These agencies will help those in the LGBT community work through the long and sometimes complicated process of finding the appropriate surrogate mother who can suit their needs. If members of the LGBT community find that they are having a difficult time finding a surrogate mother, there are also organizations that will intercede and help them find the appropriate agencies.

Intended parents should do extensive research to be sure that they find a surrogate mother that will be comfortable with the added attention of being a surrogate to gay parents. While gay rights have advanced, there are unfortunately still people that stir the controversy and fight the process of gay surrogacy.

In this case, intended parents should be sure that they have a comforting support system in place before they begin the process of finding a surrogate mother. This can make things easier for surrogate mothers and individuals who have hired them. Many agencies offer support specific to the needs of the LGBT community and their surrogate mothers.

Many states have websites that will list the specific agencies available to help LGBT intended parents find a surrogate mother and begin the surrogacy process. In addition, these websites will also point them in the right direction as far as obtaining appropriate legal counsel.

LGBT surrogacy programs will offer intended parents the opportunity to ask questions and address any concerns they may have. However, the State laws, when they address surrogacy at all, may not address all areas of surrogacy. For example, New Jersey allows for gestational surrogacy but forbids surrogacy in any form for those in civil unions.

Surrogacy programs can offer legal protection for intended parents and their surrogate mothers. Because State laws conflict, no surrogate procedure should begin before all research on case law has been completed. Those intended parents in the LGBT community that do not perform extensive research can find themselves faced with issues of custody and can face criminal penalties if they disobey their states’ surrogacy laws.

Gay surrogacy is generally arranged through a surrogate agency. Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community generally have no other option in order to have children that are biologically-related to them.

In some cases, they may use artificial insemination to achieve pregnancy, but they are sometimes unable to utilize this option. For instance, gay men would have to use a surrogate to achieve pregnancy since neither man would be able to carry a child. In this case, only one intended parent would be biologically-related to the child.

Lesbian couples sometimes have one mother carry the baby and use the eggs of the other mother to produce pregnancy through in vitro fertilization. In this way, they allow both intended parents to be a part of the pregnancy. Also, some parents will sometimes use eggs or sperm from both of the individuals who intend to raise the child, and therefore, do not know who the child’s biological parent is.

There are many options available for gay surrogacy. Couples may choose to use a surrogate agency that specializes in gay surrogacy. In addition, there are many traditional agencies that will work with people wishing to utilize gay surrogacy. However, intended parents choosing to use gay surrogacy should carefully consider the laws of the applicable State. 

Gay surrogacy is becoming a popular subject thanks in part to media coverage. Those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community are having a much easier time finding a surrogate agency that is willing to work with them. In the past, the subject was too taboo to even be discussed. However, society in general seems to be more accepting of gay surrogacy and support networks have begun to gather together to make the process easier. 

However, couples in the LGBT community are more likely to have issues of custody once the child is born. There are no states that allow both parents to be listed on the birth certificate. As a result, intended parents should be sure that they utilize a surrogacy agency that has proven experience in gay surrogacy.