Queer Men’s Pathways to Parenthood: Exploring Experiences and Decision-Making of Gay and Bi Men Navigating Surrogacy in the UK

Abstract

Background: There has been some research into queer men’s procreative choices and decision making specifically focusing on adoption and surrogacy from an international context. The research highlights that decisions are influenced via several factors that are highly nuanced. It also speaks to the number of barriers queer men face when stepping into the procreative realm, legal barriers, wider societal barriers and internal barriers. Aims: The aims of the present research study is to explore the decision making processes of queer men in the UK navigating surrogacy. Exploring what led to them choosing surrogacy in the UK, thinking about the negotiations that are made at an individual and couple level before reflecting on what facilitates or inhibits available decisions of queer men. Methods: Reflexive thematic analysis was completed on thirteen (n=13) queer men who were currently in the process of navigating surrogacy in the UK. Results: The analysis displayed a total of five main themes; Rationales behind opting for UK surrogacy routes, Surrogacy is a difficult, long and uncertain process, Dilemmas for queer prospective parents: questions for the future, about gender and connections, Factors that supported decision making: right time, planning and solid support, Addressing perceptions of queer men in society and of queer male parents. Discussion: Much of what is covered within the present study resonates with the wider literature around queer men navigating surrogacy. It highlights the complex and nuanced social and psychological processes that inform decisions and determines experiences of queer men navigating heteronormative reproductive spaces. There are real barriers that queer men face in the form of discrimination and homophobia that they must navigate and justify continuously. It highlights that further work is needed to sensitise these systems that are currently in place that queer men enter in terms of fertility, midwifery and psychological service offers. The current study also highlights the unique context in which surrogacy exists in the UK which is still inaccessible for many queer men. Further research is needed to understand and expand on the findings about queer men’s surrogacy journeys in the UK as there is minimal research currently.