Every family-building journey is a testament to love, but some stories shine as powerful beacons of hope. 

Comedian Tig Notaro and her wife, Stephanie Allynne, embody the resilience required for modern LGBTQ+ family building. 

Their journey to welcoming twin boys, Finn and Max, via gestational surrogacy in 2016 is an inspiring masterclass in perseverance, leveraging the best of modern reproductive medicine to turn a dream into a reality.

Their experience, which included a breast cancer diagnosis, IVF attempts, and the final success through surrogacy, highlights the necessity of personalized treatment plans – a cornerstone of RSMC’s care.

A Foundation of Unconventional Love

Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne’s relationship began on the set of the movie In a World… in 2012. Their engagement on January 1, 2015, and subsequent marriage in October 2015 solidified their commitment.

As their future unfolded, their sights were firmly set on parenthood. They envisioned raising a family “amongst our own family one day,” a dream that became a joyous reality. Their story reminds us that love always finds its way, and family is built on commitment, not convention.

Fertility Challenges & IVF Attempts

Tig Notaro, a celebrated comedian and survivor of stage two bilateral breast cancer, faced family planning decisions with uncommon courage. 

Her cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment created significant obstacles – obstacles that are, unfortunately, familiar to many survivors.

Notaro was very open about the high-stakes decision she faced regarding IVF after breast cancer. She acknowledged the significant personal risk she took to pursue motherhood, noting:

“I definitely put myself at risk by doing IVF because the kind of cancer that I had is fueled by hormones, and IVF just injects you with hormones,” she told the Death, Sex & Money podcast back in 2018.

While the IVF attempt using Tig’s eggs was unsuccessful, their dream did not die. They shifted focus and found success using Stephanie Allynne’s eggs, which were fertilized and transferred to a gestational carrier.

Their adaptability is a powerful lesson: when one door closes, reproductive science can open another.

Why Gestational Surrogacy Was Their Definitive Solution

Gestational surrogacy provided the safety and certainty Tig and Stephanie needed to welcome their sons. It wasn’t a last resort; it was the perfect, medically sound plan for their unique family.

  • Medical Necessity for Tig. Surrogacy was the safest step following Tig’s breast cancer history. Carrying a pregnancy, which involves significant hormonal fluctuations, was deemed too high-risk given her specific type of cancer.
  • Genetic Connection. By using Stephanie’s eggs, the couple secured a strong biological connection to their children, fulfilling a common priority for many intended parents.
  • Gestational Carrier. The use of a gestational carrier, who carries the pregnancy without contributing genetically, is a testament to the compassion and dedication within the third-party reproduction community.

RSMC specializes in third-party reproduction and helps families navigating complex medical challenges find a secure and effective path forward, just as the Notaro-Allynnes did. 

You don’t have to face these obstacles alone. We are committed to helping you find your dedicated surrogate or egg donor today.

The Long-Anticipated Arrival of Finn and Max

Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne welcomed twin boys, Finn and Max, via surrogacy on June 26, 2016. The long-anticipated arrival fulfilled a dream that was “nearly 3 years in the making.”

Tig announced the news, stating the boys arrived “happy, healthy, and really, really cute.” Tig also shared a moving photo of herself with the newborns, proudly bearing her mastectomy scars – a powerful moment that spoke volumes about her triumph over adversity.

Their Family & Career Today

RSMC is explicitly committed to creating a welcoming and LGBTQ+ friendly environment and offers dedicated family-building options to clients regardless of sexual orientation or marital status.

The couple continues to grow their careers while raising their family. In 2022, Tig and Stephanie co-directed their first film together, the comedy-drama Am I OK?. Tig is a “goliath in the comedy scene,” and Stephanie is a writer, comedian, and actor known for roles like Nat in The L Word: Generation Q.

In February 2023, Tig shared an update on their family life on their 10th anniversary, detailing their busy household: “married with 1 ant farm, 2 INCREDIBLE little cubs, 3 cats.”

LGBTQ+ Parenting Through Surrogacy

The Notaro-Allynne family is a beloved example for the LGBTQ+ community.

Their story shows that whether a family is built through Reciprocal IVF (Co-IVF), IVF with Donor Sperm, or, in their case, a partner’s eggs with a gestational carrier, the result is a beautifully ordinary, loving family life.

In June 2024, Tig shared a hilarious story about their now 9-year-old twin sons, Finn and Max, realizing their parents are gay. 

Notaro joked that she was “so stunned because we’ve lived together almost eight years, and I’ve been gay the whole time”. Their son, Finn, simply replied: “Oh, I love my family,” affirming that love and support define their home.

RSMC is explicitly committed to creating a welcoming and LGBTQ+ friendly environment and offers dedicated family-building options to clients regardless of sexual orientation or marital status.

Surrogacy for Breast Cancer Survivors

Tig Notaro’s journey provides invaluable hope to women who have survived cancer. RSMC understands that fertility after cancer requires specialized care. 

Survivors often utilize fertility preservation options, such as egg freezing, or, like this couple, turn to third-party reproduction to safely build their families.

Lessons From Their Journey

The path to parenthood is rarely a straight line, but the story of Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne proves that hope, resilience, and modern medicine are an unstoppable combination.

Their journey offers three powerful takeaways for every intended parent, reminding us that building a family is about unwavering determination, not just biology:

Hope Persists Beyond Diagnosis

Even when facing a serious diagnosis like cancer or enduring frustrating fertility setbacks, their experience shows that the dream of parenthood does not have to end. 

Modern medicine guarantees alternative, safe, and viable routes to the family you long for.

Options Are Your Power

By embracing third-party reproduction—using Stephanie’s eggs and a gestational surrogate—Tig and Stephanie didn’t just overcome medical hurdles; they unlocked a path perfectly tailored to their unique circumstances. 

Remember: there is always a personalized solution waiting for you.

Love Defines Family

At the end of the day, their beautifully ordinary, busy family life proves that the foundation of a great family is built on love, support, and laughter. The way you conceive your child is simply the beginning of your extraordinary story.

Take Control of Your Journey

Ready to swap anxiety for informed confidence? We believe that knowledge is the greatest alleviator of stress on this journey.

Download our Free IVF E-book

 

Co-authored by Dr. Harari and Yingru Li, this comprehensive guide covers everything from understanding infertility to navigating the IVF process, empowering you with the clarity needed to take your next step.

Your Family Dream is Within Reach

Your family dream is within reach. If you are looking to find the perfect surrogate, egg donor, or need an expert fertility consultation after medical treatment, RSMC is committed to guiding you with clarity and support.

Common Questions About Surrogacy (FAQs)

How did Tig Notaro have twins?

Tig and Stephanie welcomed twin boys, Finn and Max, via gestational surrogacy after struggling with IVF following Tig’s breast cancer. The embryos were created using Stephanie Allynne’s eggs.

What fertility challenges did they face?

Tig underwent cancer treatment (chemotherapy and mastectomy), which may have impacted fertility and made carrying a pregnancy too high-risk, prompting the need for IVF and eventually surrogacy.

Is surrogacy common for same-sex couples?

Yes – gestational surrogacy is a popular and growing option for male same-sex couples, and also for female same-sex couples when one partner cannot safely carry the pregnancy.

Can cancer survivors still have children?

Many can. Options include egg freezing for future use, IVF, and surrogacy, depending on the type of cancer, treatment, and timing.

What does their story teach about fertility?

It shows that modern reproductive care offers multiple personalized paths to parenthood, even after significant medical challenges and initial setbacks.

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Julianna Nikolic

Chief Strategy Officer Julianna Nikolic leads strategic initiatives, focusing on growth, innovation, and patient-centered solutions in the reproductive sciences sector. With 26+ years of management experience and a strong entrepreneurial background, she brings deep expertise to advancing reproductive healthcare.