Enzo

Same-sex Couples & Fertility

Same-sex couples face different fertility options and issues from heterosexual couples who can attempt conception without any medical help. Lesbian couples require an outside source of sperm while gay men require both eggs and uterus.

However, before addressing the technical aspects of diverse medical family-building options open to same-sex couples, it is crucially important to firmly establish who are the Intended Parent(s), because it is the initial intent that legally determines parental rights and responsibilities.

Whereas many same-sex couples pursue a family jointly with the intention of having two Co-Parents, some lesbian women and gay men seek a child(ren) as the sole Intended Parent even though they may be in a same-sex relationship at the time.

Different consents and legal documents are appropriate under these different circumstances.