Fertility options for LGBTQ+ individuals: Resources and things to consider

While many great LGBTQ+ fertility options exist, knowing where to find additional resources can be helpful. Here we share factors to consider as you plan and build your family, and some great places to learn more about some of the financial and legal considerations you may have related to fertility.

What are some LGBTQ+ fertility considerations?

As you research ways you can grow your LGBTQ+ family, you may enjoy exploring the many different options you have. Not sure where to start? Answering these questions, individually or with a partner, can help.

• Do you want to have biological children?
• Are you or your partner capable of (and interested in) getting pregnant?
• If so, have you assessed your fertility and reproductive health?
• Are there any limitations or possible roadblocks ahead?
• Are you open to a sperm donation?
• Are you open to an egg donation?
• Are you open to surrogacy? What timeline do you have in mind?
• How much are you willing, and able, to spend?

What are my options when it comes to LGBTQ+ fertility?

Individuals with a uterus have several options for an LGBTQ+ pregnancy. Intercourse with the intent of achieving pregnancy may be one option, and depending on the preferred arrangement, the biological and/or intended parents may or may not co-parent. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is another option.

When thinking about growing your family, there are several donor options to explore, including donor egg, donor embryo and donor sperm.¹ Resolve: The National Infertility Association, breaks down each of these donor options in more detail here. It’s important to weigh all the emotional, financial and legal considerations with both types of donors. Family Equality has some suggested questions about known and anonymous sperm donation to consider when trying to decide.

You can find lots more information on fertility options for LGBTQ+ couples here

Are there any special considerations related to surrogate pregnancy for LGBTQ+ families? 

Surrogacy can be a great option for people without a uterus or LGBTQ+ partners who want to be genetically linked to their child.² Resolve offers an in-depth guide to surrogacy, including legal considerations, here. In some states, you may encounter roadblocks to surrogacy, so hiring an attorney who is well-versed in LGBTQ+ surrogacy laws in your state is important.³ The American Society for Reproductive Medicine provides surrogacy laws by state here, and Family Equality shares a state-by-state guide to securing legal parentage for LGBTQ+ parents here.

What if you’re trans or in transition and want to start a family?

Several options are available to preserve your fertility before undergoing treatments that could affect it.⁴ Family Equality’s Path 2 Parenthood offers a “Family Building for the Trans Community” guide, with specific information on how to bank your eggs or sperm before you begin a physical transition, as well as info on using donors, surrogacy, adoption, legal implications and more.

LGBTQ+ fertility family planning costs 

After identifying your preferred options, the next factor for many LGBTQ+ parents-to-be is considering the costs. These can vary based on a lot of factors, including which options you’re interested in and your health insurance status and coverage.

If you do have health insurance, it’s important to fully understand your coverage and any benefits offered by your employer. Some are not LGBTQ+ inclusive (particularly when it comes to adoption), and infertility treatments and surrogacy are rarely covered by health insurance.⁵

The costs associated with LGBTQ+ family planning and building can have a wide range. These costs may include adoption fees, purchasing egg or sperm from a donor, freezing egg or sperm, different types of ART and surrogacy expenses, as well as fees associated with establishing legal parentage and hiring an attorney.⁵ Family Equality compares some of the costs of LGBTQ+ family building here.

What are my legal rights when it comes to LGBTQ+ fertility?

Federal and state laws vary and can change frequently for LGBTQ+ families and families-to-be. Resources like the ones listed below can help you stay informed.

Family leave laws

The Movement Advancement Project (MAP) allows you to view every U.S. state’s equality profile, with detailed stats (such as the percentage of LGBTQ+ adults raising kids in each state) and information on LGBTQ+ laws and policies, including:

• “Relationship and parental recognition”
• “State nondiscrimination laws”
• “Religious exemption laws”
• “LGBTQ+ youth laws and policies”
• “Healthcare laws and policies”
• “Criminal justice laws and policies”
• “Ability for transgender people to correct name and gender marker on identity documents”⁶

Family law attorney directory

This directory is part of the LGBT Family Law Institute which is a joint venture of the LGBTQ+ Bar and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The directory can help you locate attorneys by state for support and more information.

LGBTQ+ legislation 

Resolve tracks LGBTQ+ legislation in three areas: gestational surrogacy, adoption polices and bills, and infertility insurance coverage. You can stay informed on what’s happening at the federal and state levels here.

Where can I find more LGBTQ+ pregnancy-related resources?

In addition to the resources and guides we’ve included in this article, following are some more resources that will help you on your journey to becoming a parent.

• OutCare’s OutList is an international directory of LGBTQ+ affirming providers.
• The Family Equality provides a wealth of information for LGBTQ+ families, including family support, family building, stories, advocacy and resources.
• The Human Rights Campaign Parenting portion of its website provides articles for LGBTQ+ parents and information about the Parents for Transgender Equality National Council.
• Pathways to Parenthood for LGBT People, a publication from the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, a program of The Fenway Institute, explores adoption, foster parenting, donor insemination, IVF and surrogacy.
• Resolve’s LGBTQ+ Family Building Options resource page has links to pages with more information on everything from IUI, donor options, reciprocal IVF, IVF surrogacy and adoption/foster care to LGBTQ+-specific legislative initiatives, insurance coverage, treatment grants and scholarships, and financing adoptions and fertility programs.

While all people and families deserve equitable reproductive care, there are still significant disparities in access and autonomy for LGBTQ+ patients.⁷ While there’s still a lot of work to do to ensure everyone can access reproductive care, it’s also important to recognize the progress that’s been made, and the work that’s in progress.

Many of the resources above include other families’ stories — stories that it may be helpful to read or listen to as you embark on this journey. If possible, connect with others as well: those who have become parents and those who are in the process of growing their families. Everyone’s experiences may be different, but that can be a good thing, too — it’s an opportunity to learn from and support one another along the way.

Related Blog Content

• What is family planning?
• What is in vitro fertilization (IVF) and how does it work?
• How to prepare your body for pregnancy: 12 myths and facts