Chapter 9 - Gay men, as individuals and as a community, overcoming reproductive challenges to have children

Abstract

Because two men cannot conceive a child through sexual intercourse, they must seek out other options to build their families. For decades the gay community has worked to secure equal access to adoption and assisted reproduction, including gestational surrogacy. The push by the community for policy and cultural equality has been hard fought and continues in many places around the world. While the process of family building for gay men may not be the result of sex between two partners, individuals in the community are building their families through newfound freedoms brought about by that fight and advances in science and technology.