ACTIVISM&CHARITY

Gays with Kids Announces Its Fatherhood Partner Program

A First-of-Its-Kind Initiative for Gay, Bi, and Trans Dads-to-b

BY JOHN STEIN PHOTOS BY JOHN STEIN

G

ays With Kids (GWK), the world’s largest community of gay, bi, and trans parents and prospective parents, is announcing the launch of its Fatherhood Partner program, a new initiative on its relaunched website for men seeking to embark on their journeys to fatherhood.

As part of the program, GWK is aligning with some of the world’s top IVF clinics and surrogacy agencies, as well as with key adoption/foster agencies at the forefront of LGBTQ+ family building; creating comprehensive instructional courses that outline each available option for creating a family; and connecting prospective dads with the best LGBTQ+ affi rming professionals who can help them fulfi ll their dreams based on their individual interests and budgets.

“Since our launch in 2014, GWK has shared the family creation stories of hundreds of queer dads,” says GWK founder Brian Rosenberg. “Af-

ter inspiring gay, bi and trans men through these stories for years, launching our new Fatherhood Partner program was the next logical step — now, we’ll be able to guide dads-to-be through their journeys to fatherhood alongside industry leaders, regardless of their chosen path.”

In vetting its Fatherhood Partners, GWK considered each organization’s reputation among consumers and industry peers; as well as their longevity, track record and LGBTQ+ expertise as demonstrated through participation in Family Equality Open Door and/or HRC All Children-All Families.

Each partner associated with the new educational platform is delivering their expertise as part of GWK’s easy-to-follow curriculum of videos and blog posts that fi rst educate prospective dads on all the paths to fatherhood available to our community, and then provides guidance along every step of the journey, all completely free of charge.

“Our unique history as the largest online community of queer dads and dads to be has allowed us to work closely with a handful of the most proven and experienced LGBTQ+ family builders,” says David Dodge, GWK’s Executive Editor. “Our new Fatherhood Partners Program will provide members of our community with free access to these experts to get everything they’ll need — resources, guides, educational courses, and more — to achieve their dream of fatherhood, regardless of their path.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with GWK on this new educational series for gay, bi and trans men interested in fatherhood,” said Sam Hyde, President and CEO of Circle Surrogacy. “All of GWK’s Fatherhood Partners program members have an extensive history working with the LGBTQ community, but this new platform is providing us with an unparalleled opportunity to connect queer men with the resources and education they need to build their families through IVF and surrogacy.”

“In adoption and foster care, there are so many professionals to choose from, but for queer men, they are not all created equal,” said Molly Rampe Thomas, founder of Choice Network. “We are thrilled to be working with GWK to help educate prospective adoptive dads on how best to navigate the often-confusing adoption process, and connect them with LGBTQ affi rming professionals.”

FATHERHOOD PARTNERS REPRESENTING SURROGACY INCLUDE:

• Dr. Guy Ringler of California Fertility Partners • Dr. Mark Leondires of RMA of Connecticut • Dr. Jerald S. Goldstein of Fertility Specialists of Texas • Sam Hyde of Circle Surrogacy & Egg Donation • Kristen Hanson, and Stephanie Scott of Simple Surrogacy • Victoria T. Ferrara of Worldwide Surrogacy Specialists, LLC.

FATHERHOOD PARTNERS REPRESENTING ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE INCLUDE:

• Amara • Choice Network • Extraordinary Families • Friends in Adoption • Spence-Chapin • The Dave Thomas Foundation

GWK’s Fatherhood Partners program is just one of several exciting new features in their relaunch. The updated website continues to share inspiring family spotlight stories; but now also include tailored sections for men who are becoming, expecting, or are already parents; information on the latest laws and policy reforms and ways for dads to get involved in the fi ght for equality; and a new online retail shop that includes unique gift items for LGBTQ dads and their children.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

on GWK, visit gayswithkids.com, and @gayswithkids on all social platforms.