Family Building for Transgender and Nonbinary People
Transgender and nonbinary people have many paths to parenthood, whether building a family through biological reproduction, surrogacy, adoption, or foster care. Family-building decisions are often shaped by gender identity, medical history, access to affirming care, and personal goals, making clear and inclusive guidance especially important. This page offers an overview of family-building options for transgender and nonbinary intended parents, helping individuals and families understand their choices and take informed next steps.
GWK Academy is a free, nonprofit resource designed to support transgender and nonbinary people with inclusive education, affirming guidance, and trusted connections, so you can explore your options with confidence and clarity.
Biological Family Building for Transgender and Nonbinary People
Many transgender and nonbinary people pursue biological parenthood, either before, during, or after gender-affirming care. Biological family building may involve fertility preservation, IVF, IUI, use of donor sperm or donor eggs, or working with a gestational carrier, depending on anatomy, health, and personal circumstances.
For some, family planning includes decisions about preserving eggs or sperm prior to hormone therapy or surgery. Others may pursue pregnancy themselves or build a family through surrogacy. Understanding timelines, medical considerations, costs, and access to affirming fertility care is an important part of the process. GWK Academy provides education to help intended parents explore fertility and family-building options for transgender and nonbinary people, while reserving in-depth guidance for Academy pillar resources.
This section can link to deeper content on:
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Fertility preservation options
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IVF and IUI pathways
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Donor sperm and donor eggs
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Surrogacy considerations
Adoption and Foster Care for Transgender and Nonbinary People
Adoption and foster care are important family-building paths for many transgender and nonbinary people. Options may include private domestic adoption, foster-to-adopt, older youth adoption, and, in some cases, international adoption through affirming agencies and jurisdictions.
Working with inclusive, affirming professionals is especially important, as policies, requirements, and experiences can vary widely. Topics such as disclosure, legal protections, trauma-informed parenting, and long-term support are often central to the journey. Through GWK Academy, intended parents can explore adoption and foster care options for transgender and nonbinary people with access to education, context, and trusted guidance.
What Makes This Journey Unique
Transgender and nonbinary people may face additional considerations when building a family, including navigating healthcare systems, legal documentation, social stigma, and the need to advocate for affirming treatment. Family-building decisions may intersect with gender-affirming care, mental health, financial planning, and long-term legal protections.
GWK Academy recognizes these realities and centers education around dignity, inclusion, and informed choice. By offering affirming resources, lived-experience insight, and trusted expertise, the Academy helps transgender and nonbinary intended parents feel supported, understood, and empowered throughout their family-building journey.