Who We Are | queersurrogacy.com

Who We Are & What We Do

While other agencies are "LGBTQ+ friendly," we can take it one step further. Queer Surrogacy is built by the LGBTQ+ community, with Queer family planning as our priority.

Mission

We are dedicated to matching LGBTQ+ parents with LGBTQ+ gestational carriers through advocacy-focused services. We create a safe and discrimination-free journey to parenthood operating with empathy, compassion, and love. With our unwavering commitment, Queer Surrogacy will set industry standards by removing barriers to ensure LGBTQ+ identities are welcome and celebrated in all surrogacy spaces.

Vision

Provide LGBTQ+ individuals a caring and judgment-free journey through surrogacy while removing barriers of discrimination and making the dreams of parenthood come true.

Values

Respect

discrimination-free experience with an LGBTQ+ Team

Integrity

fair-priced services for an already marginalized community

Inclusiveness

celebrated trans and non-binary gestational carriers, intended parents, and families

Compassion

advocacy-focused services with non-assumptive language

Support

building up LGBTQ+ families with a vetted team, healthy

gestational

surrogates, and ongoing support

So why use the term, Queer?

The word "queer" has undergone a significant change in meaning and connotation over the years. Historically, "queer" was a derogatory term for individuals perceived as deviating from societal norms around sexual orientation or gender identity. However, in recent decades, many members of the LGBTQ+ community have reclaimed the word as a positive term for self-identification. And at Queer Surrogacy, we celebrate it!

Using the word "queer" to describe oneself or others is now seen as an act of empowerment and an assertion of identity.

Though the use of the term "queer" is still a matter of personal preference, Queer Surrogay has taken the word and used it to empower the work that we do.

Challenges
members of the LGBTQIA+ Community can face:

The Challenge

LGBTQ+ individuals often face significant challenges in medical spaces, including discrimination and a lack of cultural competency. These issues can manifest in several ways:

Discrimination and Bias

Healthcare Provider Attitudes: Many LGBTQ+ individuals report negative experiences with healthcare providers, including overt discrimination, bias, and refusal of care. Providers may hold prejudiced views that influence their treatment recommendations and interactions with patients.

Misgendering and Deadnaming: Transgender and non-binary individuals often experience misgendering (being referred to by incorrect pronouns) and deadnaming (being called by their birth name rather than their chosen name), which can cause significant distress and alienation.

Inadequate Training: Medical professionals often lack training on LGBTQ+ issues, leading to a lack of understanding and insensitivity towards LGBTQ+ health needs. This results in substandard care and reluctance to seek medical help from patients.

Lack of Cultural Competency

Limited Knowledge on LGBTQ+ Health Issues: Many healthcare providers are not well-versed in health issues specific to LGBTQ+ individuals, such as hormone therapy for transgender patients, mental health concerns, and the rates of certain conditions.

Assumptive Practices: Healthcare environments often operate on heteronormative and cisnormative assumptions, which can make LGBTQIA+ patients feel invisible or marginalized. For example, intake forms may not include options for diverse gender identities and sexual orientations.

The Need for Specialized Services

Safe and Supportive Environments: Specialized services that cater specifically to LGBTQ+ individuals are crucial. These services ensure that all interactions, from the intake process to the exam room, are respectful and affirming of all identities.

Inclusive Policies and Practices: Implementing inclusive policies, such as using chosen names and pronouns, providing comprehensive LGBTQ+ health training for staff, and creating non-discriminatory environments, can significantly improve the healthcare experience for LGBTQ+ patients.

Community-Based Healthcare Providers: Healthcare providers who are either part of the LGBTQ+ community or have extensive experience working with LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely to provide empathetic and competent care. These providers understand the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ patients and can offer tailored support and services.

Queer Surrogacy does everything it can to mitigate unfortunate situations that can arise during a surrogacy journey.

Inclusive Enviornment

We are dedicated to providing a welcoming and affirming space for LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples. They understand the unique challenges and concerns that LGBTQIA+ intended parents may face and work diligently to create an environment where all clients feel respected, understood, and valued. This commitment to inclusivity helps ensure a positive and supportive surrogacy journey from start to finish.

Careful Screening

Queer Surrogacy conducts thorough screenings of all parties involved, including intended parents and surrogates, to ensure a supportive environment for LGBTQIA+ families. This process involves evaluating the values, attitudes, and previous experiences of both surrogates and intended parents to ensure alignment with the agency’s commitment to inclusivity and respect. By carefully selecting individuals who are genuinely enthusiastic about the surrogacy journey, Queer Surrogacy minimizes the risk of misunderstandings or conflicts, fostering a positive and harmonious surrogacy experience for everyone involved.

Personalized Support

Queer Surrogacy offers comprehensive and personalized support to LGBTQIA+ intended parents throughout their surrogacy journey. This includes access to counseling services to address any emotional or psychological needs, legal assistance to navigate the complex legal landscape of surrogacy, and medical guidance to ensure the health and well-being of both the surrogate and the intended parents. This tailored support helps intended parents feel confident and supported at every stage of the process.

LGBTQIA+ Expertise

The staff at Queer Surrogacy are experienced and knowledgeable about the specific challenges and considerations faced by LGBTQIA+ families. This expertise allows them to provide empathetic and informed guidance, addressing any concerns or questions that may arise. Their deep understanding of LGBTQIA+ issues ensures that intended parents receive the best possible advice and support, reducing the likelihood of negative experiences and fostering a positive and empowering surrogacy journey.