Gays, lesbians, singles, or transgender people – all nurse the desire to have their own children. Nowadays, advanced reproductive technology (ART) such as Surrogacy, IVF, IUI help make this dream a reality for many people, including LGBT parents-to-be. Lesbian couples might opt for IUI or Reciprocal IVF using donor eggs. Reciprocal IVF process offers the advantage of both the partners achieving a biological connection with the baby. On the other hand, the approach for gay male couples may include donor eggs, IVF, and gestational surrogacy.
Insurance Policies for ART and LGBT Family Building
Many of those who opt for assisted reproductive technology find it surprising that their health insurance offers little-to-no coverage for their fertility care. LGBTQ people may even encounter additional barriers in their journey to parenthood due to employer benefit policies and restrictions. These policies tend to block coverage for ART/ fertility treatment.
Surrogacy Laws and the LGBT Community
Some state laws also restrict some family-building arrangements. For example, some U.S. states, such as New York, place a ban on surrogacy arrangements whereby the gestational carrier receives payment at the end of the process.
However, there are states with the friendliest surrogacy laws that the members of the LGBT community choose. To name a few states, they are California, Colorado, Oregon, Nevada, and Illinois, among others.
The ban on compensated surrogacy in New York means that gay parents-to-be and those who are dealing with infertility would need to leave the state for fertility treatment. Not to mention, it adds more stress to an already stressful process. Moreover, the current state law does not clearly define who will be the legal parents of a baby conceived through assisted reproductive technology (ART) after birth. However, many states are trying to adjust their laws regarding ART issues. It means there might be some great news ahead.
According to Physician’s Surrogacy (a full-service gestational surrogate matching agency based in California), surrogacy law keeps changing and evolving. The laws differ from state to state, and sometimes, from county to county.
Right Consultation and Knowledge about the LGBT Family Building Options
There are many other legal considerations, apart from tracking laws governing ART issues. Some fertility treatments, including Surrogacy and IVF, involve fees and contracts with agencies/individuals for sperm, donor eggs, and/or embryos that the LGBT parents-to-be should consider. This additional complexity makes it essential to be well-informed. Moreover, one should have a legal professional who will see them through the legal part of the process. So, it is crucial to consult a lawyer with proficient knowledge of the laws regarding ART issues in the state where you reside.
States have created an enabling environment for the LGBTQ people. Additionally, many employers have also followed suit. A lot of employers now extend their “fertility” benefits to employees who are members of the LGTB community.
Importance of Fertility Clinic for Surrogacy, IVF, etc for LGBT Family Planning
Nowadays, the LGBT community is a growing consumer segment for the fertility clinic, thanks to the desire to have one’s own family. As mentioned, medical technologies such as Gestational Surrogacy, Reciprocal IVF, IUI have brought new hope for the LGBT community. Most fertility clinics have adequate preparation for the emotional and medical support issues that would-be parents have. They can also assist with special issues, which may apply to your situation. These may include referrals to surrogacy agencies, legal counsel recommendations, and counseling help.
Conclusion
At RSMC, we provide support to anyone looking to build their family. We encourage members of the LGBT community to sign up for a consultation with our fertility clinic. We are here to provide any assistance and answer any questions about the available options for gay family building, lesbian family building, and single men and women. Please feel free to reach out to us at 858-436-7186, or you can always visit us at www.fertile.com for a consultation.
