Blog written by Laboratory Staff JM
Working with anonymous and ID Option sperm donors, I get to see how the Cryobank helps many couples build their families. The clients we work with typically fall into one of these categories: husband-wife, lesbian couples, or single women. Every so often we work with Directed (aka Known) Donors, and the recipients usually fall into the same categories, a husband-wife couple, a lesbian couple, or a single woman.
What about homosexual male couples who want to build a family? What are their options? There’s surrogacy or adoption, basically.
In my own life, I have many close friends who are homosexual males. Many of these friends are in long-term relationships, as we’ve all gotten older, people tend to pair up! We are all at that age where folks are dreaming of having children, or already building their families. Well, male-male couples sometimes dream of fatherhood too! I’ll share a few perspectives of my friends, giving them false names for privacy’s sake:
Couple #1: Mr. and Mr. Sweet
I’ve known one-half of this couple for nearly a decade, and consider him one of my closest friends, and I’ve known his partner for 6 years, the time they’ve been together. They recently celebrated their relationship by getting married. They are both successful in their chosen careers, have fulfillment in their relationship, and dream of raising a family. They have considered their options for a while, and are starting the adoption process.
I’m thrilled for them, and I hope that one day soon I will be hosting a baby shower for them.
Couple #2: Mr. and Mr. Tall
I have known this couple for several years. They’ve been together for about 10 years. A few years ago, when my daughter was about 6 months old, they asked if I would consider being an egg donor for them, and wanted to know how my husband and I felt about that. Being new parents ourselves, we wanted this couple to know the joy of having a baby of their own. Ultimately, we all decided not to go that route. Since then, Mr. and Mr. Tall have begun the process of finding an egg donor and a gestational carrier. The details are still being worked out, but in the coming months they’ll be well on their way to parenthood.
Couple #3: Mr. and Mr. Blue
One of the partners in this relationship is a friend I’ve known since college, and we remain very close. He has always said he wants to be a father someday – and he’ll be a wonderful father, in my opinion. He is a surrogate uncle to my children – while I was pregnant (both times) – he would sing to my baby bumps! My 4 year old daughter adores him, and he’s a natural with my 10 month old son as well. He would like to start a family within the next 10 years or so – and will consider all options available at that time.
I’m glad these guys have options, and I can’t wait to meet their children one day.
