# GWK Academy — Free Family-Building Support for LGBTQ+

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A 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering free educational resources, coaching, and vetted referrals that help all LGBTQ+ people build families through adoption, foster care, surrogacy, and IVF.

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://gwkacademy.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Blog](https://gwkacademy.org/blog/)
- [Open adoption can be complex, chaotic, & beautiful all at the same time. Just ask these two dads.](https://gwkacademy.org/open-adoption-can-be-complex-chaotic-beautiful-all-at-the-same-time-just-ask-these-two-dads/): “The relationship has to be built around the people involved, and that means making room for both connection and boundaries.”
- [Before You Choose a Surrogacy Agency: 8 Questions LGBTQ+ Intended Parents Should Ask](https://gwkacademy.org/before-you-choose-a-surrogacy-agency-8-questions-lgbtq-intended-parents-should-ask/): When intended parents first start speaking with surrogacy agencies, the conversation usually begins with two practical questions: what will this cost, and how long will it take to find a surrogate? Those questions are important, of course, but over the years I have come to believe that they tell you very little about what the
- [Gay Surrogacy Costs](https://gwkacademy.org/gay-surrogacy-costs/): How much does gay surrogacy cost? A full breakdown of agency, clinic, egg-donor, surrogate, insurance & legal fees, plus ways to save.
- [A Twibling Journey for Two Dads](https://gwkacademy.org/a-twibling-journey-for-two-dads/): What is a twibling? Two babies created from each dad's sperm and one egg donor, carried by two surrogates. One two-dad family shares their twibling journey.
- [How AI Is Changing IVF: What LGBTQ+ Intended Parents Should Know](https://gwkacademy.org/how-ai-is-changing-ivf-what-lgbtq-intended-parents-should-know/): New technology can add important safeguards and support more consistent care, but experienced fertility professionals should remain at the center of every decision
- [From Our Journey to Theirs: Sharing LGBTQ+ Family-Building on TODAY](https://gwkacademy.org/from-our-journey-to-theirs-sharing-lgbtq-family-building-on-today/): Sharing the TODAY stage with Aaron and Horacio was a powerful reminder of why GWK Academy exists: to help LGBTQ+ people navigate family-building with confidence, support, and hope.
- [The Family I Built Alone](https://gwkacademy.org/the-family-i-built-alone/): This single gay dad reflects on the deeply personal journey that inspired him to write his memoir.
- [Florida, Surrogacy, and LGBTQ+ Families: Why the State You Choose Matters](https://gwkacademy.org/florida-surrogacy-and-lgbtq-families-why-the-state-you-choose-matters/): In more than two decades of doing this work, I have rarely met intended parents who started their journey thinking about state law. They come in thinking about embryos, donors, timelines, the surrogate, the clinic, and the child they have been imagining for years. Next to all of that, the question of which state feels
- [Today is yours: An ode to every type of queer dad & dad-to-be](https://gwkacademy.org/today-is-yours-an-ode-to-every-type-of-queer-dad-dad-to-be/): Happy Father’s (or Fathers’) Day to every dad, future dad, foster dad, stepdad, and chosen family member who makes this community what it is.
- [Intending, Chapter 20: P.S. Post Surrogacy](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-20-p-s-post-surrogacy/): As with Sara, the post-birth transition with Jen was effortless. She and Dave joked that with four children of their own, it was a relief to deliver a baby they didn’t have to worry about. As soon as she stopped pumping, our texts dwindled from weekly to monthly to never, basically. These days, with both
- [Intending, Chapter 19: Oh Boy](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-19-oh-boy/): It was an uneventful pregnancy in an eventful world…until October, when Jen started feeling itchy. She knew that was a bad sign and rushed to the hospital. Sure enough, she had cholestasis, a liver condition that stops bile acid from flowing properly. It’s fairly common—some stats say 1 in 140 women, others 1 in 1,000—and
- [Intending, Chapter 18: A Match Made In Covid](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-18-a-match-made-in-covid/): In September 2019, when Leila was nine months old, we received a second match email and knew she was a winner. Based in San Francisco, Jen and her husband Dave seemed like wonderful parents to their four children. The mere fact that she’d had four children—four smooth vaginal deliveries—was a great sign. Let me rewrite
- [Intending, Chapter 14: Midwestern Hospital-ity](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-14-midwestern-hospital-ity/): The next day, Sara came by our room every few hours with freshly pumped colostrum. The amounts were so small and the liquid so viscous that we used a mini syringe to squirt it into Leila’s mouth, like feeding a baby bird. “All done,” we once said to a nurse. She peered into the container—“Oh no you’re
- ["Too Many Daddies" RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: Post Show Interview](https://gwkacademy.org/too-many-daddies-rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-post-show-interview/): We sat down with 6 gay dads from RuPaul's Drag Race, and the conversation did not disappoint.
- [The Emotional Weight Nobody Warns You About: Mental Health and the LGBTQ+ Family-Building Journey](https://gwkacademy.org/mental-health-lgbtq-family-building/): Let's talk about the emotional weight of LGBTQ+ family-building, as this is an important topic that is seldom discussed.
- [Building a Bigger Table – Fathering the Movement to LGBTQIA Family Building, Parenthood, & Beyond (Out Loud & Laughing Podcast)](https://gwkacademy.org/building-a-bigger-table-fathering-the-movement-to-lgbtqia-family-building-parenthood-beyond-out-loud-laughing-podcast/): Listen to the Out Loud & Laughing podcast, where GWK Academy’s Executive Director & Head Coach, Brian Rosenberg, joins hosts Bryan and Jon Ruiz for a heartfelt and hilarious conversation about LGBTQ+ family building, fatherhood, and creating more inclusive paths to parenthood.
- [Mother's Day, On Our Terms](https://gwkacademy.org/mothers-day-on-our-terms/): All the ways we “mom”—a joyful, inclusive reflection on caregiving, chosen family, and the real, complex paths that shape how we show up.
- [Surrogacy is a great way to build a family. But be prepared for challenges along the way.](https://gwkacademy.org/surrogacy-is-a-great-way-to-build-a-family-but-be-prepared-for-challenges-along-the-way/): The more you understand what can go wrong in a surrogacy journey, the better equipped you are to navigate it with clarity and confidence.
- [Intending, Chapter 17: Second Journey: Don't Stop Believin'](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-17-second-journey-dont-stop-believin/): We knew we’d been spoiled with our first journey. From finding an agency, clinic, donor, and carrier, to the medical screenings, contract negotiations, transfer, pregnancy, and birth, we never faced a bump in the road. (Apart from the desired bump.) Recognizing this, we initiated our second journey with a big buffer, taking nothing for granted.
- [Intending, Chapter 16: We Got Dis. And Get Dissed](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-16-we-got-dis-and-get-dissed/): During our stint in L.A., we had a tiered system to determine the extent of physical contact with Leila, not unlike Australia’s koala experience. Entry-level ticketholders got a side-by-side pose. Premium visitors could touch her. VIPs got a proper hold. Who got to assign the tier, however, was not always clear. My original instinct was to
- [LGBTQ Surrogacy Journey: Michael and Ryan Reflect on Becoming Dads](https://gwkacademy.org/lgbtq-surrogacy-journey-to-fatherhood/): When we first introduced you to Michael and Ryan in 2024, they were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child through surrogacy — what they called their “post-pandemic baby.” After years of preparation and partnering with Brownstone Surrogacy, they were full of hope and determination to build the family they dreamed of. Now, just
- [LGBTQ Surrogacy Story: How Dom and Jer Became Dads Times Two](https://gwkacademy.org/lgbtq-surrogacy-dadstimestwo/): “We became dads through LGBTQ surrogacy with the help of an egg donor and two amazing surrogates. Yes, two! Rory and Liliana were born two weeks apart, and it’s been beautiful chaos ever since.” Dom and Jer, known online as @DadsTimesTwo, are married dads from Michigan raising two children under two—born just two weeks apart.
- [Adam and Pat’s Journey to Parenthood Through Adoption](https://gwkacademy.org/journey-to-parenthood-through-gay-adoption/): When Adam Frank and Pat Duffy met in graduate school, it was a pink shirt that sparked their story. “When I summoned the courage to walk over to him, the first thing I said to him was, ‘Hi. I have a pink shirt too,’” Adam remembers with a laugh. From that moment on, their connection
- [Intending, Chapter 6: The Doctor Will See Your Semen Now](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-6-the-doctor-will-see-your-semen-now/): As one of the most sought-after IVF doctors in the world, Dr. Vicken Sahakian had the tricky task of making prospective clients feel special in the shortest amount of time. For us, choosing the right doctor was a big deal; it could make or break the journey. For him, it was just another Tuesday, and
- [Reflections on ASRM 2025: Building Community and Expanding LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Fertility Care](https://gwkacademy.org/reflections-on-asrm-2025-building-community-and-expanding-lgbtq-inclusion-in-fertility-care/): At GWK Academy, we’re committed to helping LGBTQ+ people navigate every path to parenthood — from surrogacy and IVF to adoption and foster care — by connecting them with trusted professionals who share our values. That’s why attending this year’s American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) conference was such an inspiring experience.The expo hall was enormous, filled
- [Love Makes a Family: Nathan and John's Adoption Story](https://gwkacademy.org/love-makes-a-family-nathan-and-johns-adoption-story/): In honor of National Adoption Month, we’re celebrating LGBTQ+ parents who’ve built their families through adoption — parents like Canadian couple Nathan and John.
- [Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun: 11 Spooktacular LGBTQ+ Family Costumes 2025](https://gwkacademy.org/ghouls-just-wanna-have-fun-11-spooktacular-lgbtq-family-costumes-2025/): It’s our favorite time of year again — when families from across the LGBTQ+ community share their incredible, creative, and downright fang-tastic Halloween costumes with us! From tiny trick-or-treaters to full-on family ensembles, we love seeing the imagination and joy that go into each look. Below are just a few of our favorite submissions from
- [Intending, Chapter 9: Womb Service](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-9-womb-service/): If finding an egg donor works like Tinder, finding a carrier works like an arranged marriage. Donor: swipe, swipe, Skype, select. Carrier: put your best foot forward and trust a third party.The relative scarcity in surrogate supply, along with their extended involvement, changes the power dynamic. Unlike the open-book market for egg donors, Circle keeps its carriers
- [Intending, Chapter 10: Impregnating Sara](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-10-impregnating-sara/): While Little Miss Straw 1 waited on ice, Dr. Sahakian sent Sara prenatal vitamins, estrogen hormones, and steroids to trick her body into thinking it was already pregnant. It was a hefty bundle with one month’s worth of needles and syringes—a care package that could have been a scare package, but Sara worked as a
- [Finding Family Through Open Adoption: Barry’s Journey to Fatherhood](https://gwkacademy.org/open-adoption/): When Barry Levey’s father passed away in 2023, the loss stirred something within him, a reminder that life is fragile — and that waiting for the “perfect” time to pursue your dreams can mean missing them altogether. This realization became the push he needed to start the journey toward something he’d always known he wanted: parenthood.
- [Intending, Chapter 12: CIAU WAUSAU](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-12-ciau-wausau/): We arrived in Wausau (population: 40,000) on December 26th, 2018. Sara’s OB-GYN, Dr. Stevens, was going to be away on our original due date, so we scheduled an induction the week before, on January 4th. Paolo and I got there extra early to assuage Sara’s fear that we’d miss the birth. Fabio had been clear that
- [Intending, Chapter 13: Delivery.PDF](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-13-delivery-pdf/): With just a few days to go, Circle emailed us a document entitled 6–Delivery.pdf that inspired me to search for numbers one through five. I vaguely recalled opening them and scrolling past smiling babies alongside obvious advice like “maintain contact with your surrogate.” This time, though, with daddy hormones kicking in, I felt nostalgic and
- [Intending, Chapter 15: Pumping Milk and the Brakes](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-15-pumping-milk-and-the-brakes/): Sara had boasted about her milk supply, and she didn’t disappoint. She was a prolific pumper, producing 60 to 90 ounces a day. To put that in perspective, Leila only drank 16 ounces per day at the start. The plastic pump bags had lines on them for the date and volume, which Sara recorded meticulously,
- [Adoption is a beautiful way to build a family. But it’s not one-size-fits-all](https://gwkacademy.org/adoption-is-a-beautiful-way-to-build-a-family-but-its-not-one-size-fits-all/): One of the biggest misconceptions about adoption is that the many paths are variations of the same experience. They’re not.When LGBTQ+ people tell me they want to adopt, I always start with the same response: “Tell me what you mean by that.”Not to challenge them, but to make it clear that adoption isn’t one path. There
- [Domestic Infant Adoption LGBTQ: James & Jason’s Story](https://gwkacademy.org/domestic-infant-adoption-lgbtq-james-jason/): “We knew, without a doubt, that we were meant to be fathers.” James and Jason Johns-McCall have been together for two decades and married since 2013. They met back in 2005 at BWI Airport, thanks to mutual friends, and now call Atlanta, Georgia, home. Their journey as dads officially began when they welcomed their daughter,
- [Surrogacy Twins Risks: What Gay Couples Should Know](https://gwkacademy.org/surrogacy-twins-risks-gay-couples/): Let’s be real — for many hopeful LGBTQ+ parents pursuing IVF and surrogacy, the idea of having twins can sound like a dream. Two kids, only one intense journey, and then your family-building is complete. Who wouldn’t love that? When my husband and I were building our family more than 15 years ago, we went the
- [LGBTQ Foster Care: A Gay Couple’s Life-Changing Journey](https://gwkacademy.org/lgbtq-foster-care/): Note to readers: Whenever I talk about GWK Academy, I emphasize that our first step is to help hopeful parents understand all their family-building options — including foster care and adoption. For this month’s post, I’ve invited dads Antwon and Nate to share their journey. Their story not only clears up common misconceptions about foster care;
- [Adoption vs. biological family building: What LGBTQ+ couples should consider](https://gwkacademy.org/adoption-vs-biological-family-building/): Originally published on LGBTQ Nation Adoption vs. biological family building: What LGBTQ+ couples should consider For many LGBTQ+ people, starting to think about family-building can feel both exciting and overwhelming. There’s often a sense of real possibility paired with big questions about where to start, what’s realistic, and which information can be trusted.After years of
- [Intention, creativity & hope: LGBTQ+ family-building trends to watch in 2026](https://gwkacademy.org/6-lgbtq-family-building-trends-to-watch-in-2026/): The landscape of fertility, surrogacy, adoption, and foster care is evolving rapidly, shaped by cultural shifts, policy changes, and the lived experiences of queer families across the country.
- [Unsung Heroes: 6 Queer Moms Who Revolutionized LGBTQ+ Family Building](https://gwkacademy.org/unsung-heroes-6-queer-moms-who-revolutionized-lgbtq-family-building/): The landscape of fertility, surrogacy, adoption, and foster care is evolving rapidly, shaped by cultural shifts, policy changes, and the lived experiences of queer families across the country.
- [Cost of LGBTQ+ Family-Building: Surrogacy, IVF & Adoption](https://gwkacademy.org/costs-of-lgbtq-family-building/): Wondering how much it costs to build an LGBTQ+ family? Compare surrogacy & IVF, infant adoption, and foster care adoption in one clear blog post.
- [Why I Started GWK Academy: Supporting LGBTQ+ Family Building](https://gwkacademy.org/why-i-started-gwk-academy-supporting-lgbtq-family-building/): Here's the backstory behind why we created GWK Academy to support LGBTQ family building.
- [Sam's Corner: Your Holidays, Your Way](https://gwkacademy.org/your-holidays-your-way-sams-corner/): Our monthly tip for your parenting toolbox from our friend Sam Leeson of babyREADY. The holidays don’t have to be about the stress of juggling everyone eles’s expectations. They’re about creating traditions that feel good for your family, right inside your own four walls. The people who truly love you will respect your boundaries —
- [Fertility Pathways for LGBTQ+ Parents: Medical Options Explained](https://gwkacademy.org/fertility-pathways-for-lgbtq-parents-medical-options-explained/): In this webinar recording, Dr. Daniel Skora of Fertility Specialists of Texas break down the main medical paths to parenthood, and what you can expect from each.
- [Intending, Chapter 11: Gays' Anatomy Scan](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-11-gays-anatomy-scan/): We originally planned to visit Sara at the 6-month mark, but she dropped not-so-subtle hints that the 20-week anatomy scan was a special occasion. It’s typically when a couple learns the baby’s sex, and she had fond memories of that moment from her own two pregnancies. Having picked the sex of our child, we felt
- [On Fiestaware, Ashes, and Dancing Again](https://gwkacademy.org/on-fiestaware-ashes-and-dancing-again/): I'm a child of the 1990s, and this essay was years in the making. I was born during the AIDS crisis and raised by gay parents, which means I have a unique and formative identity, and one that is rare in multiple ways.
- [Intending, Chapter 8: What to Expect When You Are Expecting](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-8-what-to-expect-when-you-are-expecting/): With the legal box ticked, Rose began a one-week regimen to prepare for the retrieval, also known as the extraction, collection, and harvest, but those all sound more Handmaid’s Tale to me. In a woman’s normal menstrual cycle, only one egg matures. With IVF, to increase the odds of success, donors receive daily injections of
- [These gay dads built families during the AIDS crisis. Their stories are blueprints for endurance.](https://gwkacademy.org/these-gay-dads-built-families-during-the-aids-crisis-their-stories-are-blueprints-for-endurance/): Amid the AIDS crisis and anti-LGBTQ backlash, two couples dared to imagine family when few thought it possible.
- [Why more LGBTQ+ parents are choosing midwives. Even in hospital births.](https://gwkacademy.org/why-more-lgbtq-parents-are-choosing-midwives-even-in-hospital-births/): Message from Brian Rosenberg: As fall settles in and we turn toward the season of gathering and family, it’s the perfect time to spotlight the growing number of LGBTQ+ parents who are choosing midwives for their family-building journeys. To share the invaluable and diverse ways in which midwives serve our community, I turned to my fellow
- [14 Essential Questions to Ask Your Escrow Company](https://gwkacademy.org/14-essential-questions-to-ask-your-escrow-company/): When it comes to surrogacy, the escrow company is the quiet backbone of your entire journey. They’re responsible for holding and distributing the funds that pay your surrogate, reimburse expenses, and keep things running smoothly. But here’s the truth: not every escrow provider operates with the transparency and safeguards you deserve. Some are tied to
- [Intending, Chapter 7: Donor? I Barely Know Her!](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-7-donor-i-barely-know-her/): Semen analysis—check.Sperm samples—check.Paolo and I had it easy. Our jobs were nothing more than hand jobs. This is when things got more complicated. Our next order of business was to find an egg donor, as Circle only matches Intended Parents with a carrier after they’ve made embryos. This way, Circle doesn’t keep carriers waiting while IPs
- [Intending, Chapter 5: Step One](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-5-step-one/): Before we could invite women to the party, Paolo and I had to confirm that our manly parts were up to snuff with a semen analysis. At the London Andrology Centre, we gave blood and urine samples before entering our respective “happy rooms,” as Circle called them, or “masturbation stations,” as I called them: small
- [Intending, Chapter 4: What? Where? How?](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-4-what-where-how/): I should clarify that when I say surrogacy, I’m referring to gestational surrogacy, not the old-school turkey baster method of insemination. Modern IVF technology is so advanced that the egg donor is almost always different from the surrogate. The reasons are two-fold. First, there’s the risk of attachment. By using another woman’s egg, there’s a lower
- [Intending, Chapter 3: To Breed or Not to Breed](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-3-to-breed-or-not-to-breed/): A friend recently asked me when Paolo and I knew we wanted kids, so I tried to remember any big talks we had. I tried and I failed, so I asked Paolo, “Did we ever sit down for a serious discussion around whether we’d have kids?”“Not that I remember.”“Me neither! Isn’t that crazy? In a
- [Intending, Chapter 2: Love at First Sit](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-2-love-at-first-sit/): The room for orientation was way too small—only 30 chairs for 80 students—so even though I arrived on time the first day of my master’s, I had to tiptoe around a horde of classmates seated on the floor. When I spotted a vacant plot, I seized it by leaping into a cross-legged position like a yoga
- [Intending, Chapter 1: a Portrait of the Author as a Young Man](https://gwkacademy.org/intending-chapter-1-a-portrait-of-the-author-as-a-young-man/): Thanks to my dad’s job as a TV writer, we received For Your Consideration screeners in the weeks leading up to the Emmys. Box sets of DVDs flooded the house, spilling across the kitchen counter. We knew we’d only watch a fraction of the shows, but it felt wrong to throw any of them away,
- [Introduction to Intending, a Surrogacy Journey Memoir in Serial](https://gwkacademy.org/introducing-intending-a-serialized-book/): Introduction Editor’s note: We know the path to parenthood is filled with hope, resilience, and love. That’s why we’re honored to share Intending, a virtual memoir chronicling one couple’s surrogacy journey in their own words. Starting with today’s introduction, a new chapter will be released each week — an invitation to walk alongside them as
- [Gaddies: An Adoption Family Story and a Brand for Queer Dads](https://gwkacademy.org/gaddies-an-adoption-family-story-and-a-brand-for-queer-dads/): David Morgenstern and Raphael (Raphi) Rosenblatt met in 2010 in New York City. Raphi was there for a summer graduate internship, and the two bonded instantly over a shared love of family, global travel, and Mean Girls. Just a month later, Raphi returned to Boston to finish school, and they began a long-distance relationship. Six
- [Mauricio and Erik: Finding Their Way to Fatherhood Through Adoption](https://gwkacademy.org/mauricio-and-erik-finding-their-way-to-fatherhood-through-adoption/): Mauricio Lozano and Erik Villagomez, both from Charlotte, North Carolina, recently welcomed their first child, a son, through private adoption. Their journey to parenthood was not a short one. It took two and a half years and included two failed matches before they finally brought their son home. Looking back, they both describe the experience
- [Doctor. Advocate. Dad. Dr. Daniel Skora’s Journey to Fatherhood](https://gwkacademy.org/doctor-advocate-dad-dr-daniel-skoras-journey-to-fatherhood/): As a reproductive endocrinologist and Medical Director of LGBTQ+ and Third Party Services at Fertility Specialists of Texas (FST), Dr. Daniel Skora has helped hundreds of families grow. But in April 2023, he and his husband, Rey Cervantes, stepped into a new chapter of their own—becoming dads to twin boys via gestational surrogacy. What made
- [From California Beaches to Alpine Lakes: How the @fontesfourpack Found Adventure, Family, and Home Wherever They Roam](https://gwkacademy.org/from-california-beaches-to-alpine-lakes-how-the-fontesfourpack-found-adventure-family-and-home-wherever-they-roam/): Eighteen years ago, Tyler and Andrew met through mutual friends — and a love story quickly blossomed. A few months later, they moved to California together, married on a beach six years after that, and not long after, started dreaming about fatherhood. Coming from big, close-knit families, they always knew kids would be part of
- [From Matching Shoes to Fatherhood and Global Adventures: Frank and BJ Celebrate 15 Years Together](https://gwkacademy.org/from-matching-shoes-to-fatherhood-and-global-adventures-frank-and-bj-celebrate-15-years-together/): Fifteen years ago, Frank and BJ met by chance on a patio in Toronto’s Gay Village. They happened to be wearing the same shoes.“I see you have good taste in shoes!” Frank joked — and just like that, their love story began. They couldn’t have imagined then that they’d one day be married, raising a
- [How I Became a Single Dad at 49 - And Why I'd Do It Again](https://gwkacademy.org/how-i-became-a-single-dad-at-49-and-why-id-do-it-again/): Guest post by Kevin ZobackEver since I was a little boy, I knew I wanted to be a dad of something. I wasn’t like most of the boys I grew up with. I didn’t care much for sports — I was more into puppet shows and action figures (G.I. Joe and Action Jackson — and
- [Conceive Fertility Center Joins GWK Academy's Network of Vetted Family-Building Partners](https://gwkacademy.org/conceive-fertility-center-joins-gwk-academys-network-of-vetted-family-building-partners/): GWK Academy is proud to welcome Conceive Fertility Center (CFC) into our trusted network of vetted family-building partners. Based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, CFC has become known for its warm, inclusive, and deeply personal approach to fertility care—thanks in large part to the leadership of founders Dr. Julian Escobar and Dr. Derek Haas, and
- [The Rose Daddies: Sharing Their Family’s Joy Through Storytelling](https://gwkacademy.org/the-rose-daddies-sharing-their-familys-joy-through-storytelling/): Jeffrey Williamson and Corddarryl Rose, better known online as @TheRoseDaddies, are redefining what fatherhood looks like—one bedtime story at a time. Together since 2015 and married in 2022, the couple lives in Hillsborough, North Carolina, where they’re raising their 1-year-old daughter, Ava, whom they adopted after years of dreaming about becoming parents. “We have always
- [Meet Dr. Mo Satyshur: Clinical Psychologist, Queer Mom, and GWK Academy’s New Mental Health Family-Building Partner](https://gwkacademy.org/meet-dr-mo-satyshur-clinical-psychologist-queer-mom-and-gwk-academys-new-mental-health-family-building-partner/): We’re proud to introduce you to Dr. Maureen (Mo) Satyshur (she/her), GWK Academy’s new clinical family-building partner supporting lesbians and queer women with their biological family-building journeys. Dr. Mo is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in perinatal mental health, and she offers a rare blend of clinical expertise and lived experience—she’s not only a trusted
- [GWK Academy Review From a Future Dad](https://gwkacademy.org/gwk-academy-review-from-a-future-dad/): GWK Academy member D.J. Stavropoulos is well on his way to fatherhood! After attending a few of our surrogacy webinars, he joined GWK Academy back in 2023. We are proud to share this video review that he sent for us to share about his experiences with GWK Academy, and hope you’ll give it a watch.
- [Joel, Yancy, and Ange — A Loving Journey Through Foster-Adoption](https://gwkacademy.org/joel-yancy-and-ange-a-loving-journey-through-foster-adoption/): “I always knew I was going to be a parent,” says Joel B. New. “It truly felt like a calling from a very young age.” As a young queer person, Joel remembers reassuring his mother when he came out: being gay didn’t mean giving up on the dream of family. That commitment to parenthood would
- [Celebrating Pride with LGBTQ+ Families Created Through Adoption at Spence-Chapin](https://gwkacademy.org/celebrating-pride-with-these-beautiful-lgbtq-families-created-through-adoption/): At GWK Academy, we believe Pride is not only a celebration of identity—it’s a celebration of love and the many beautiful ways we build our families. In honor of Pride, we partnered with one of our incredible family-building partners, Spence-Chapin, to spotlight just a few of the extraordinary families created with their help through adoption.
- [Tammuz Family Joins GWK Academy’s Exclusive Network of Vetted Family-Building Partners for LGBTQ+ Parents](https://gwkacademy.org/tammuz-family-joins-gwk-academys-exclusive-network-of-vetted-family-building-partners-for-lgbtq-parents/): We’re thrilled to welcome Tammuz Family as the newest member of our exclusive network of trusted and vetted GWK Academy family-building partners to support biological family-building for future LGBTQ+ parents. In the past 17+ years, they have helped thousands of LGBTQ+ people around the globe become parents through egg donation, IVF and surrogacy. Their North
- [Laughing Out Loud, Loving Out Loud — The Ruiz-Stango Family Story](https://gwkacademy.org/laughing-out-loud-loving-out-loud-the-ruiz-stango-family-story/): For Bryan Ruiz, the dream of fatherhood started early—but for a long time, it felt just out of reach. “There was a pervasive sense that parenthood wasn’t a path open to someone like me,” Bryan says. “It felt like a fundamental life milestone that might be out of reach simply because of who I am.”
- [New Book Helps LGBTQ+ Parents-to-Be Eliminate Debt and Build Lasting Wealth](https://gwkacademy.org/new-book-helps-lgbtq-parents-to-be-eliminate-debt-and-build-lasting-wealth/): A Must-Read for Future LGBTQ+ Parents Seeking Solid Financial Footing
- [A Sister’s Gift: How Family Made Fatherhood Possible for These Two Dads](https://gwkacademy.org/a-sisters-gift-how-family-made-fatherhood-possible-for-these-two-dads/): As a same-sex couple, Sean and his husband knew that building their family wouldn’t be straightforward—but they were determined to explore every possible path to parenthood. At first, they weren’t sure what was right for them, so they looked into both adoption and IVF/surrogacy. It was a generous and unexpected offer from within their own
- [NYC Theater Teachers Take Center Stage as New Dads Through Adoption](https://gwkacademy.org/nyc-theater-teachers-take-center-stage-as-new-dads-through-adoption/): When Derek and Gaspare got married in 2019, they did it in a way that reflected who they are: on stage in a theater, with their loved ones as the audience. “The ceremony was in front of the curtain, and when it rose, the reception was on stage,” Derek recalls. “It was a night we
- [Opening Hearts and Homes: How LGBTQ+ Families Can Help Kids in Foster Care](https://gwkacademy.org/opening-hearts-and-homes-how-lgbtq-families-can-help-kids-in-foster-care/): In this webinar, we speak with Bonnie Sharpe from Extraordinary Families — one of California’s leading foster agencies — about how the LGBTQ+ community can make a meaningful difference in the lives of kids in foster care.Bonnie is joined by experienced foster parents AB, Daryl, and Jamie as they share their personal experiences, insights, and
- [Storytime Just Got Even More Fabulous!](https://gwkacademy.org/storytime-just-got-even-more-fabulous/): The second season of the LGBTQ+-hosted children’s variety show The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy is streaming on YouTube now. We LGBTQ+ parents should be happy to learn that the hit Canadian preschool storytime variety show, The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy, is back for season 2 and it is packed with more
- [This Single Dad’s Foster-Adopt Journey Took Less Than A Year](https://gwkacademy.org/this-single-dads-foster-adopt-journey-took-less-than-a-year/): Daniel Soto-Lopez is a business owner in Providence, R.I., and a single gay dad to 10-year-old Miguel through foster-to-adopt. Daniel always knew he wanted to be a dad, so when his dating life was preventing him from pursuing his parenting journey, he decided to go it alone. At first, Daniel’s family and friends weren’t completely
- [Gaddies x GWK Partner for Father’s Day + Pride Campaign](https://gwkacademy.org/both-always-gaddies-x-gwk-fathers-day-pride-campaign/): This Pride Month and Father’s Day season, Gaddies and GWK are coming together to celebrate, support, and uplift LGBTQ+ families.Because pride and parenting aren’t either/or—they’re both. Always. From today through Father’s Day (June 15), the Gaddies x GWK campaign shines a spotlight on queer dads—honoring the real love, real lives, and layered identities of dads
- [From Dance Floors to Dad Life: Hike Chahinian’s Journey to Parenthood and the Stage](https://gwkacademy.org/from-dance-floors-to-dad-life-hike-chahinians-journey-to-parenthood-and-the-stage/): “Every worthwhile endeavor carries its hurdles — and parenthood is no exception,” says Hike Chahinian, a Los Angeles-based dad, career counselor, and now, solo performer. Hike and his husband Peter are preparing to celebrate 30 years together this year, and among their greatest accomplishments is becoming fathers to their teenage daughter through domestic adoption. Their
- [Supporting LGBTQ+ Families: Roots Surrogacy Joins GWK Academy](https://gwkacademy.org/supporting-lgbtq-families-roots-surrogacy-joins-gwk-academy/): We’re thrilled to announce that Roots Surrogacy has joined GWK Academy's exclusive network of family-building partners! Their commitment to personalized, ethical, and inclusive care makes them a perfect fit for our mission to support LGBTQ+ parents-to-be. Founded in 2015 by Brooke Kimbrough and Cassie Wright, Roots Surrogacy was born from personal experiences with surrogacy and
- [New Support for Queer Family Builders: Meet GWK Academy Coach Marea Goodman](https://gwkacademy.org/new-support-for-queer-family-builders-meet-gwk-academy-coach-marea-goodman/): At GWK Academy, we’re thrilled to welcome Marea Goodman (they/them) as our newest family-building coach, specializing in helping people with uteruses navigate their journey to parenthood. A midwife, author, parent, and passionate advocate for queer family creation, Marea brings a wealth of lived experience, professional expertise, and heart to their coaching work. Marea’s own family-building
- [Lisa and Jaimee Rizzo Launch “The Two Mom Edit” Podcast](https://gwkacademy.org/lisa-and-jaimee-rizzo-launch-the-two-mom-edit-podcast/): If you’re part of a two-mom family—or on the path to becoming one—Lisa and Jaimee Rizzo want you to know: You’re not alone. These New Jersey-based wives and moms just launched The Two Mom Edit, a brand-new podcast created to uplift, support, and share the stories of LGBTQ+ families—especially those navigating the world of reciprocal
- [GWK Academy and The Queer Family Podcast Team-Up to Celebrate Queer Families Everywhere](https://gwkacademy.org/gwk-academy-and-the-queer-family-podcast-team-up-to-celebrate-queer-families-everywhere/): Only a couple of weeks into our new mission of family-building for all LGBTQ+ people, we are thrilled to share exciting news—a collaboration with The Queer Family Podcast! When host and creator Jaimie Kelton connected with GWK Academy Executive Director Brian Rosenberg, it felt like a natural and long-overdue meeting between two passionate champions of
- [Why This First-Time Gay Dad Says He’s Never Been Happier](https://gwkacademy.org/this-new-dad-couldnt-be-happier/): “I’m in awe and couldn’t be happier!”⁠⁠Jeffrey welcomed his son in November 2024 and shared the joyful news with a beautiful photo of his new family. Born two weeks early, his baby boy arrived healthy and strong.⁠⁠“Surrogacy is a daunting process, and it would have been so much harder, if not impossible, to do without
- [5 Tips to Identify an Inclusive and LGBTQ+ Affirming Adoption Agency](https://gwkacademy.org/5-tips-to-identify-an-inclusive-and-lgbtq-affirming-adoption-agency/): Becoming a parent through adoption is an incredible journey, and for LGBTQ+ parents-to-be, finding the right adoption agency can and will make all the difference. This means you should not only feel supported, but seen and valued as well.Here are five essential tips to help you identify an LGBTQ+ inclusive and affirming adoption agency: 1.
- [GWK Academy’s Next Chapter: Becoming a Non-Profit to Serve the Entire LGBTQ+ Community](https://gwkacademy.org/gwk-academys-next-chapter-becoming-a-non-profit-to-serve-the-entire-lgbtq-community/): Dear GWK Academy Community, I am thrilled to share exciting news: GWK Academy is transitioning to a non-profit organization!This evolution marks a significant milestone in our mission to support LGBTQ+ individuals in their journey to parenthood, and I want to take a moment to share why this change is so important and what it means
- [Soaking Up Their New Life as Twin Dads: Ron and Nate](https://gwkacademy.org/soaking-up-their-new-life-as-twin-dads-ron-and-nate/): Becoming dads felt like a distant dream for Ron and Nate—until it wasn’t. Now, after years of planning and patience, this South Korean-American couple living in Oslo are officially fathers to twins! “We’ve been together for 13 years, married for 10. Fatherhood wasn’t always on our radar, mostly because we weren’t sure it would be
- [Elusive Mommyhood: Exploring Surrogacy and Assisted Reproduction with Author Ginanne Brownell](https://gwkacademy.org/elusive_mommyhood_exploring_surrogacy/): Guest post by Ginanne Brownell.If it weren’t for my friends Ben and Offir, I may have never become a mother. When I was told I had unexplained infertility and that I would likely never be able to carry a baby to term, I reached out to the Tel Aviv-based gay couple, who were in the
- [GWK Academy: Now Supporting All LGBTQ+ Parents-to-Be](https://gwkacademy.org/an-introduction-to-gay-queer-family-building/): Exploring Your Path to Parenthood: Biological, Adoption & Foster Care At GWK Academy, we believe every LGBTQ+ person deserves the opportunity to build a loving family. As we transition to a nonprofit, we remain deeply committed to providing the most comprehensive, affirming, and accessible resources for LGBTQ+ parents-to-be. For those considering parenthood, there are three
- [Food Scientist and T.V. Personality, Dr. Taylor Wallace, is Living His Favorite Role: Dad](https://gwkacademy.org/food-scientist-and-t-v-personality-dr-taylor-wallace-is-living-his-favorite-role-dad/): Previously posted on GaysWithKids.com. You might know him from television; his colleagues know him as “doctor”; his son knows him as “dad.” Single dad Dr. Taylor Wallace (@drtaylorwallace) is a food scientist, professor, small business owner, and TV personality by day. While you may recognize him from his appearances on Dr. Oz, The Doctors, and the Food
- [Two Daves and a Baby: Get Inspired by Their Story](https://gwkacademy.org/two-daves-and-a-baby-get-inspired-by-their-story/): First published on GaysWithKids.com David first connected with Dave through OKCupid, sending him a cheesy Filipino pick-up line that a friend shared with him. “I thought it was romantic,” laughed David, “but Dave thought I was a player and wasn’t having it.”Nevertheless, they continued talking and met for their first date in January 2013. During
- [The Birth of a Surrogacy Agency](https://gwkacademy.org/the-birth-of-a-surrogacy-agency/): Previously published on GaysWithKids.com Jarret and Elliot are NYC-based dads to two young daughters through surrogacy and egg donation. Unlike our typical GWK stories, we’re not going to focus on how these two became dads, but instead look at what came afterwards: Brownstone Surrogacy, a boutique agency passionate about prioritizing a personal and ethical experience.
- [Adrain and Ron: From an Unexpected Movie Connection to Building a Loving Family Through Adoption From Foster Care](https://gwkacademy.org/adrain-and-ron-from-an-unexpected-movie-connection-to-building-a-loving-family-through-adoption-from-foster-care/): Adrain and Ron’s love story began unexpectedly during a shared moment at the movies. Both had gone to see Dragon Ball Z: Broly on their own but ended up meeting, sparking a connection that would lead to a beautiful family life together. Now, five years into their relationship and nearly three years married, they’re not
- [From Setbacks to Joy: How Randall and Caldwell Became Dads Through Surrogacy ](https://gwkacademy.org/from-setbacks-to-joy-how-randall-and-caldwell-became-dads-through-surrogacy/): Randall and Caldwell Buntin, residents of Norfolk, Virginia, became dads last year when they welcomed their son into the world in August. Randall works as the Head of Merchandise Financial Planning at Family Dollar, Inc., while Caldwell is completing his PhD in Oceanography at Old Dominion University. The couple has called Norfolk home for the
- [Steven and Hector’s Path to Parenthood Through Foster Care](https://gwkacademy.org/steven-and-hectors-path-to-parenthood-through-foster-care/): For Steven Oliver and his husband Hector, becoming parents wasn’t just about growing their family; it was about providing love and stability for children who needed it most. The couple, who met online 12 years ago and married in 2018, live in Union County, New Jersey. Steven works as a vice principal and Hector as
- [Gay Dads Brian and Rob Share Their Adoption Journey](https://gwkacademy.org/gay-dads-brian-and-rob-share-their-adoption-journey/): Meet new dads through adoption @briandouglasjames and @mcclimans. This couple live in NYC and started their adoption journey in 2020. Earlier this year they brought their son home, and are thriving as a family of three. In this chat, the husbands share openly about their journey, including how their first adoption fell through after caring for the baby for nearly
- [These Dads Say It’s Never Too Late To Start Having Kids](https://gwkacademy.org/these-dads-say-its-never-too-late-to-start-having-kids/): As they sauntered into their 40s, husbands Mark Hoebich and Brendan Hug started thinking about what it might take to start a family of their own. Now they’re awaiting the birth of their second child, they want other gay men over the age of 40 to know; it’s not too late to start having kids.
- [Moral Adoption: Mike Shares his Adoption Story](https://gwkacademy.org/moral-adoption-mike-shares-his-adoption-story/): “I think the teen years might get glossed over in some more traditional households. I’m cherishing every moment I can.” Mike is a single dad to two sons: his eldest is turning 20 this month, and his youngest is 16. They found each other through You Gotta Believe (YGB), a remarkable NY-based agency dedicated to
- [A Miscarriage Confirmed These Dads Partnered with the Right Surrogacy Agency](https://gwkacademy.org/a-miscarriage-confirmed-these-dads-partnered-with-the-right-surrogacy-agency/): When Stephen Glover and Andrew Murray met over 20 years ago, becoming dads felt out of reach. Everything changed when they met a gay dad couple who showed them that fatherhood was possible. Today, the British expats live just outside Brisbane, Australia, raising their twins, born in September 2017, thanks to an amazing surrogate and
- [From Chance to Forever: Robert and Brett’s Journey to Fatherhood](https://gwkacademy.org/from-chance-to-forever-robert-and-bretts-journey-to-fatherhood/): Robert Cooper and Brett Schriewer, a couple from Kansas City, Missouri, have been together for over 13 years. Robert, a kitchen and bath designer, and Brett, a middle school principal, never expected that their path to fatherhood would unfold the way it did. But in September last year, when a twist of fate presented them
- [5 Tips to Build A Strong Relationship With Your Surrogate](https://gwkacademy.org/5-tips-to-build-a-strong-relationship-with-your-surrogate/): We had a brilliant chat with surrogate advocate and owner of Be Surrogacy, Shelly Marsh who gave 5 tips for Intended dads on how to build a strong relationship with their surrogate. As a four-time surrogate, Shelly offers an invaluable perspective, diving into the emotional and unique dynamics between surrogates and intended parents. She emphasizes
- [My Life-Changing Journey to Colombia: Embracing the Impact of Spence-Chapin’s Granny Program & Intercountry Adoption](https://gwkacademy.org/my-life-changing-journey-to-colombia-embracing-the-impact-of-spence-chapins-granny-program-amp-intercountry-adoption/): I recently returned from an unforgettable journey to Colombia with Spence-Chapin, an organization known for its dedication to family services and adoption. The trip was designed to observe their Granny Program in action, a program created to support children in Colombia’s child protection system. I was honored to be invited for this impact trip with
- [Fostering Love: Antwon and Nate’s Journey as Foster Dads](https://gwkacademy.org/fostering-love-antwon-and-nates-journey-as-foster-dads/): Antwon and Nate’s journey as foster dads began in 2017, a decision that would profoundly shape their lives. Over the years, they have welcomed three different children into their home, each placement unique in its challenges and rewards. The first child was with them for three years, the second for 18 months, and their third, Ali, for two
- [NewGen Families is GWK Academy's Newest Family-Building Partner](https://gwkacademy.org/newgen-families-is-gwk-academys-newest-family-building-partner/): We chatted with Damien Chambers, CEO of NewGen Families and GWK Academy family-building partner, on how he got into the business, his proudest achievements, and advice for single dads-to-be. Damien also spoke about the vital support his agency provides to both intended parents and surrogates throughout their surrogacy journeys. The NewGen team ensures communication is
- [An “Unexpected Fluke” Led This Utah Couple to Fatherhood Through Adoption](https://gwkacademy.org/an-unexpected-fluke-led-this-utah-couple-to-fatherhood-through-adoption/): For brand new Utah dads Ammon and Jeff, the decision to adopt was an easy one. “We asked ourselves, WHY do we want to be fathers?” Ammon shared, “The answer had nothing to do with passing along a bloodline lineage or continuing genealogy traits, it was about shifting from living our lives for us and our things,
- [Craig and James: A Lifelong Journey to Parenthood and Beyond](https://gwkacademy.org/craig-and-james-a-lifelong-journey-to-parenthood-and-beyond/): Craig Hartzman and James John have been partners for nearly four decades. When they met in 1986 at a hotel restaurant in Hawaii, they quickly realized they shared a deep desire for fatherhood. That night, they talked about their dreams of becoming parents, a vision they would eventually bring to life in the mid-1990s when
- [Kevin and Doug are New Dads Through Open Adoption](https://gwkacademy.org/kevin-and-doug-are-new-dads-through-open-adoption/): Kevin and Doug’s story began at a mutual friend’s house party back in 2010 during Thanksgiving break from college. What started as a strong friendship quickly turned into something deeper, and after a few years, they realized they had fallen in love. The couple now live in central New Jersey, where they bought their home
- [Single Dad Through Foster-Adopt: Michael from New York](https://gwkacademy.org/single-dad-foster-adopt/): Michael Darnell is “single and ready to mingle with the right energy.” He’s also a dad through foster-adopt. He shares that “…being a gay man didn’t take away from wanting to be a dad. Adoption provided me with a great avenue to parenthood.”Michael worked with You Gotta Believe, a foster-adopt agency he became aware of
- [Seven Well-Known Gay Dads Who Became Parents Through Adoption](https://gwkacademy.org/seven-well-known-gay-dads-who-became-parents-through-adoption/): Here are seven of our favorite gay celebrities and politicians who navigated the adoption journey to create their beautiful families.
- [The SEAM Escrow Fraud Scandal: Dads-to-Be Left Scrambling for Surrogacy Funds](https://gwkacademy.org/the-seam-escrow-fraud-scandal-dads-to-be-left-scrambling-for-surrogacy-funds/): For hopeful parents pursuing a surrogacy journey , the recent SEAM escrow fraud scandal has sent shockwaves through the community. Partners Alex and Jonathan have been together for almost a decade. They initially met in Paris back in 2011, but didn’t get together as a couple until a few years later. Paris was followed by
- [From Down Under to Daddyhood: Aussie Couple’s U.S. Surrogacy Journey](https://gwkacademy.org/from-down-under-to-daddyhood-aussie-gay-couples-u-s-surrogacy-journey/): The most important advice new dads Michael and Joseph offer future dads considering surrogacy: “Treat your surrogate like the goddess she is!”These Australian husbands recently welcomed their daughter, Tiana, through a surrogacy journey in the United States. Now they're sharing their story to inspire others and pass on the invaluable lessons they learned along the
- [Eight Famous Gay Celebrities Who Became Dads Through Surrogacy](https://gwkacademy.org/eight-famous-gay-actors-who-became-dads-through-surrogacy/): Here are eight of our favorite gay dad celebrities who have navigated a surrogacy journey to create their beautiful families.
- [Simple Surrogacy Returns as GWK Academy Founding Family-Building Partner](https://gwkacademy.org/simple-surrogacy-gwk-academy/): At GWK Academy, we are proud to announce Simple Surrogacy is returning for the third consecutive year as our Founding Family-Building Partner. To support the gay community with their surrogacy & IVF journeys to parenthood, GWK Academy works with an exclusive network of family-building partners that includes surrogacy agencies, egg donation agencies, IVF clinics, as
- [The Increasing Costs of Surrogacy for Gay Men - And How GWK Academy Can Help](https://gwkacademy.org/the-increasing-costs-of-surrogacy-for-gay-men-and-how-gwk-academy-can-help/): As more gay men and queer individuals aspire to become biological fathers, the challenges they face have also intensified. The journey to parenthood through surrogacy and IVF alone can often exceed $200,000. Several factors have driven this increase over the past five years, including rising surrogate compensation, higher medical and legal fees, and the cost
- [Navigating Adoption for Gay and Queer Men in the United States](https://gwkacademy.org/navigating-adoption-for-gay-and-queer-men-in-the-united-states/): A Common Gay Adoption Story Richard and Matthew* (names changed for privacy), a married gay couple from Texas, embarked on their adoption journey with high hopes. Despite having stable jobs and a loving home, they faced numerous rejections from adoption agencies that prioritized heterosexual couples. After three years of an anguished wait, they finally connected
- [Dads Johnny and Sebastian Talk About Their Challenging Surrogacy Journey](https://gwkacademy.org/dads-johnny-and-sebastian-talk-about-their-challenging-surrogacy-journey/): Johnny and Sebastian are gay dads from NYC and they have two beautiful children through surrogacy. Their road to fatherhood was long and their first surrogacy journey was fraught with a surprising number of hurdles. Hear how the dads overcame these challenges with the help of their surrogacy agency, Simple Surrogacy, their surrogate and IVF
- [After Four Years of Fostering, Kevin is Finally a Forever Dad](https://gwkacademy.org/after-four-years-of-fostering-kevin-is-finally-a-forever-dad/): Four years ago, we first connected with Kevin Gerdes. He was starting his foster journey with the goal of one day adopting. Since then, Kevin has cared for eight infants and one 10-year-old; he recently adopted his ninth foster infant after a year of caring for him. It’s been a 4-year-long journey with some incredible
- [Jason and Kyle Share Their Adoption Story](https://gwkacademy.org/jason-and-kyle-share-their-adoption-story/): Guest post by Jason Gingras. Our adoption journey has been truly amazing. I met by husband by chance when I left all behind in Orlando, Florida, back in 2016 and moved to Charlotte to start a new life. I was struggling to balance my faith in the Catholic Church and my sexuality, but once I
- [Dads-to-be Expecting Their Post-Pandemic Baby Soon](https://gwkacademy.org/dads-to-be-expecting-their-post-pandemic-baby-soon/): Very early in Michael and Ryan’s relationship, they knew they wanted to be dads. But they decided that for the next few years their careers would take precedence. Until everything changed in 2020. “When the pandemic hit, our perspective substantially changed,” said Michael. “We both work in healthcare and saw first-hand the toll the pandemic

## Pages

- [Welcome to the GWK Academy](https://gwkacademy.org/): GWK Academy is a nonprofit offering free courses, coaching, and referrals for LGBTQ+ people building families through adoption, foster care, surrogacy & IVF.
- [Spring Break 2027](https://gwkacademy.org/spring-break/): GWK Academy's 6th annual Spring Break: Miami + a Royal Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas, March 24–29, 2027. A family vacation for the LGBTQ+ community.
- [Who We Are - 2025](https://gwkacademy.org/who-we-are/): Who We Are Mission To support and empower all LGBTQ+ people for their journey to parenthood through comprehensive and inclusive educational resources, peer support, coaching, and referrals spanning all paths and possibilities for family building—paired with a growing movement of family-building through adoption from foster care, helping more queer and trans youth successfully transition out
- [The Big Apple Family Takeover](https://gwkacademy.org/the-big-apple-family-takeover/): Join the Big Apple Family Takeover — a weekend of LGBTQ+ family fun across NYC, Oct 10–11, 2026. Every adult ticket supports GWK Academy.
- [Pathways to Parenthood: Adoption - 2025](https://gwkacademy.org/lgbtq-adoption/): A clear guide to LGBTQ adoption: your legal right to adopt in all 50 states, the four adoption paths, home study, costs, and how to find an affirming agency.
- [Pathways to Parenthood: Surrogacy and IVF - 2025](https://gwkacademy.org/lgbtq-surrogacy-and-ivf/): PATHWAYS TO PARENTHOOD: BIOLOGICAL LGBTQ Family-Building Through Donor Concieved Options LGBTQ+ singles and couples wishing to have a biological connection with their children can do so via surrogacy, IVF, IUI, reciprocal IVF, and/or sperm and egg donation. Each of these pathways can be an incredible journey, and inherent in each are exciting possibilities and important
- [Biological Family Building Partners](https://gwkacademy.org/family-building-partners/biological/): Biological Family Building Partners Our Trusted Network of Partners—Organized for Your Journey We’ve curated and personally vetted a network of experts who combine deep expertise, unwavering support for LGBTQ+ family-building, and a shared commitment to making your journey as clear, safe, and joyful as possible.Below you’ll find partners organized into categories — a suggested ‘game
- [Media Center](https://gwkacademy.org/media-center/): MEDIA CENTER Have a Media Inquiry? TV Apperances Featuring Brian Rosenberg, GWK Academy's Executive Director TODAY Show – Dad Shares Mission to Help LGBTQ+ Couples Start Families Podcasts Featuring Brian Rosenberg, GWK Academy's Executive Director FatherneticsbabyREADYHusbands 2 DadsOut Loud and Laughing: Empowering LGBTQ+ Families, Brian Rosenberg’s Journey with Gays With Kids and GWK AcademyThe Queer
- [Gay Adoption](https://gwkacademy.org/gay-adoption/): Everything gay, bi & queer men need to know about adoption: legality in all 50 states, the process, home study, costs, and finding an LGBTQ-affirming agency.
- [GWK Academy Roadshow: Dallas](https://gwkacademy.org/gwk-academy-roadshow-dallas/): Free LGBTQ+ Path to Parenthood Roadshow in Dallas | Sept 16, 2026, 6–9 PM. Explore adoption, foster care, surrogacy & IVF with GWK Academy. Register free.
- [Adoption - Course Directory 2025](https://gwkacademy.org/adoption-course-directory/): Adoption Start Your Adoption Journey Welcome, future parents! No matter where you are on your adoption journey—just starting out or simply exploring your options—we're here to support you every step of the way. Adoption is a beautiful path to parenthood, and you have several ways to build your forever family.Not sure which path is right
- [How to Choose Between Adoption and Biological Family-Building](https://gwkacademy.org/understanding-family-building-options/): Download our free guide to learn all your options for family-building Adoption & Donor Conception: Understanding Your Family-Building OptionsClear, unbiased guidance for LGBTQ+ people exploring parenthood Download Guide The best way to start your family-building journey is by learning about all your options — that’s exactly what this guide is here for.This guide will walk
- [Family Building for Lesbians](https://gwkacademy.org/family-building-for-lesbians/): Family Building for Lesbians When it comes to family building for lesbians, queer women, and all people with uteruses, there are several meaningful paths to parenthood to consider. No single path is right for everyone — and no path is better than another. What matters most is that, whichever route you choose, the outcome is
- [Family Building for Gay Men](https://gwkacademy.org/family-building-for-gay-men/): Family Building for Gay Men For gay men dreaming of becoming dads, there isn’t just one path to parenthood. Adoption, foster care, and surrogacy with IVF each offer a meaningful way to build a family.No path is right for everyone, and no path is better than another. What matters most is that you choose the
- [Coaching](https://gwkacademy.org/coaching/): Meet GWK Academy's Coaches Brian Rosenberg (He/Him) Brian Rosenberg (he/him) founded GWK in 2014 and has been deeply immersed in the LGBTQ+ family-building space ever since. As a dad through both adoption and surrogacy, he brings firsthand experience and a wealth of knowledge to help guide others on their journey. Learn more about Brian here.If
- [Coaching Introduction](https://gwkacademy.org/coaching-introduction/): Most coaching calls start with one of these five questions… Where do I even begin? Which path to parenthood is right for me? I’m overwhelmed. How do I make sense of all of this? My family-building journey has stalled. How do I get it moving again? Who can I trust to help me on this
- [A Guided Starting Point for LGBTQ+ Family Building](https://gwkacademy.org/lgbtq-family-building-journey/)
- [June Fundraising Campaign](https://gwkacademy.org/donate-summer-2026/): Help us build the foundation for what comes next. GWK Academy is at an inflection point. We’re bringing together a founding board to help us transition into a stronger, more sustainable nonprofit — one built to carry our family-building mission forward for many years. But we cannot do this alone, our transition takes resources. Please
- [GWK Academy New Member Questionnaire](https://gwkacademy.org/gwk-academy-new-member-questionnaire/): Thanks for joining GWK Academy! You've taken a real step towards family building, and we're glad you're here. GWK Academy New Member Questionnaire Please answer each of the questions below so that we can tailor your experience with GWK Academy to your unique needs. You must be logged in and registered for this course
- [Adoption & Foster Family-Building Partners](https://gwkacademy.org/family-building-partners/adoption-foster/): Adoption & Foster Family Building Partners Our Trusted Network of Partners—Organized for Your Journey The agencies listed below represent those we know and trust well. These organizations have demonstrated experience supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, couples, and diverse family structures, and they share our commitment to ethical, transparent, and child-centered practices. Because adoption and foster care are
- [Additional Queer Resources](https://gwkacademy.org/additional-queer-resources/): Additional Queer Resources The LGBTQ+ owned organizations listed below share our passion for celebrating queer families, and we have enjoyed their support–some with helping us spread the word, and others with special fundraising campaigns to support us financially. Please check them out and show them your love! And be sure to let us know if you’d like
- [Transgender and Nonbinary People](https://gwkacademy.org/family-building-for-transgender-and-nonbinary-people/): 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
- [Contact Us](https://gwkacademy.org/contact-us/): We look forward to hearing from you! Please use the form below to get in touch with us for anything EXCEPT to share your family-building story for a future feature or social post, which you can request using this form. We promise to do our best to get back to you in a timely manner.
- [Biological - Course Directory 2025](https://gwkacademy.org/biological-course-directory/): Biological Family-Building Start Your Biological Parenthood Journey This Biological Parenthood section is your ultimate guide to exploring the diverse family-building paths available to LGBTQ+ singles and couples. Whether you're considering third-party surrogacy, reciprocal IVF, intrauterine insemination (IUI), sperm or egg donation, or fertility pathways for trans individuals, we provide expert insights and practical guidance tailored
- [A Guided Starting Point for LGBTQ+ Family Building (End Screen)](https://gwkacademy.org/a-guided-starting-point-for-lgbtq-family-building-end-screen/): What Happens Next? We hope this guided experience helps you clarify your priorities while giving you a clearer picture of the family-building options available to you. At GWK Academy, we’re here to help you build on that insight with guidance, education, and support for whatever comes next. Your Next Steps 1. Join GWK Academy (Free)Becoming
- [Adoption & Foster](https://gwkacademy.org/adoption/): Adoption & Foster-Adopt Learn everything involved in a gay adoption or foster-adopt journey, including adoption terminology, timelines, costs, and legal considerations. Create Your Account GWK Academy Includes Community Connect with other dads & dads-to-be who have either recently completed their journey or are on their way to becoming parents. Coaching & Connections Meet with gay
- [Contact Us - Thank You](https://gwkacademy.org/contact-us-thank-you/): Thank you for reaching out! Thank you for reaching out to GWK Academy. We’re so glad you connected with us. A member of our team will review your message and be in touch soon.
- [Gay Surrogacy and IVF](https://gwkacademy.org/gay-surrogacy-and-ivf/): Gay Surrogacy & IVF Create Your Free GWK Academy Account Surrogacy & IVF for Queer Men: High-Level LGBTQ+ Family-Building Guide Surrogacy and IVF are two of the most common and empowering ways that gay men, queer men, and LGBTQ+ people build biological families today. Here we share a high-level overview of what the journey looks
- [Login](https://gwkacademy.org/login/): Not a member? Create your account here
- [Workshops](https://gwkacademy.org/workshops/): Events You must be logged in and registered for this course to view content Please log in to continue, or visit our membership page to purchase a subscription. Username Password * Remember Me Forgot Password
- [Events](https://gwkacademy.org/events/): Events Register Now
- [Foster - Course Directory 2025](https://gwkacademy.org/foster-course-directory/): Foster Start Your Foster Parent Journey This coming May 2025, our Foster Care section will be your ultimate guide to understanding the journey of fostering and providing a temporary, loving home for kids in need. In these lessons, our experts will break down the process to help LGBTQ+ singles and couples navigate the foster care
- [Pathways to Parenthood: Foster Care - 2025](https://gwkacademy.org/lgbtq-foster-care/): PATHWAYS TO PARENTHOOD: FOSTER CARE Create Your Free GWK Academy Account Foster care is a temporary arrangement in which children who cannot live safely with their biological families are provided with care and support. This care is typically offered by individuals or families who, though not biologically related to the child, are licensed through the
- [Register For Your Free Account](https://gwkacademy.org/register-for-your-free-account/): Building LGBTQ+ Families with Education, Support & Heart All Paths for All People GWK Academy offers FREE comprehensive courses & resources for the entire LGBTQ+ community -- so you can start your adoption or biological family-building journey feeling educated, prepared and confident. Adoption Agency Domestic Infant Adoption Independent Domestic Infant Adoption Adoption from Foster Care International
- [Donate](https://gwkacademy.org/donate/): Donate opening statement? form
- [Our History - 2025](https://gwkacademy.org/our-history-2025/): Our History From humble beginnings with a mission of connecting and providing support for gay dads as they move through their parenthood wishes, to offering quality, up-to-date education and resources for the LGBTQ+ community as they navigate parenthood, GWK Academy has become a trusted advisor and resource.Check out highlights of our journey below! March 2014Website/Social
- [Welcome to the GWK Academy](https://gwkacademy.org/home/): We help gay & queer people become dads We believe every gay and queer person should have the opportunity to build the family of their dreams.GWK Academy offers community, inspiration, education, resources, and discounts to guide and support you throughout your surrogacy, adoption or foster journey.Join our rapidly growing community of dads-to-be! Create Your Free
- [Donor Dashboard](https://gwkacademy.org/donor-dashboard/)
- [Donation Failed](https://gwkacademy.org/donation-failed/): We're sorry, your donation failed to process. Please try again or contact site support.
- [Donation Confirmation](https://gwkacademy.org/donation-confirmation/): [give_receipt]
- [Knowledge Center](https://gwkacademy.org/knowledge-center-2/)
- [Adoption Interest Confirmation](https://gwkacademy.org/adoption-interest-confirmation/): Thank you for confirming your interest in pursuing an Adoption / Foster-Adopt journey We will use your selection to tailor your experience with GWK Academy to only receive content and updates about your desired path. Back to my courses
- [Surrogacy Interest Confirmation](https://gwkacademy.org/surrogacy-interest-confirmation/): Thank you for confirming your interest in pursuing a Surrogacy & IVF journey We will use your selection to tailor your experience with GWK Academy to only receive content and updates about your desired path. Back to my courses
- [Surrogacy & IVF](https://gwkacademy.org/surrogacy-ivf/): Surrogacy& IVF Learn the in’s and out’s of all that’s involved in a gay surrogacy journey. From terminology & timeline to cost & legal, you will gain all the information necessary to feel confident. Create Your Account NO FEE REQUIRED GWK Academy Includes Community Connect with other dads & dads-to-be who have either recently completed
- [GWK Academy Transparency](https://gwkacademy.org/gwk-academy-transparency/): You must be logged into your account in order to view this restricted content. Username Password * Remember Me Forgot Password
- [Enrollee Family-Building Partner Feedback](https://gwkacademy.org/enrollee-family-building-partner-feedback/): Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.
- [Affiliate Sign Up](https://gwkacademy.org/affiliate-signup/): GWK Academy Affiliate Program ERROR: You must enter a First Name ERROR: You must enter a Last Name ERROR: You must enter an Email Address ERROR: You must enter a Promotion Strategy Please fill out this form to apply for our Affiliate Program: First Name* Required Last Name* Required Email* Required and must be a
- [Affiliates](https://gwkacademy.org/affiliates/): GWK Academy Affiliate Program We’ve created GWK Academy to be the very first stop for gay and queer dads-to-be on their path to fatherhood. We’d love you to help us spread the word and help others realize their dreams of becoming a dad! What kind of commission am I eligible for? You will earn $35
- [GWK Academy Surrogacy (Cost)](https://gwkacademy.org/surrogacy-cost/): Navigating Surrogacy Costs for Gay Men In the U.S., intended parents should expect their surrogacy and IVF journey to cost between $140,000 – $220,000, or even more. Here’s the good news: You don’t need all the money up front. And there are opportunities for you to control some of these expenses. Learn how you can afford
- [Privacy Policy](https://gwkacademy.org/privacy-policy/): Last updated March 12, 2024This privacy notice for Proud Families LLC (doing business as Gays With Kids) ("we," "us," or "our"), describes how and why we might collect, store, use, and/or share ("process") your information when you use our services ("Services"), such as when you:Visit our website at https://gwkacademy.org/, or any website of ours that
- [Affiliate Dashboard](https://gwkacademy.org/affiliate-dashboard/): Welcome to Your Affiliate Dashboard You're unauthorized to view this page. Please log in and try again. You're unauthorized to view this page. Please log in and try again.
- [Affiliate Signup ORIGINAL](https://gwkacademy.org/affiliate-signuporiginal/)
- [Affiliate Dashboard ORIGINAL](https://gwkacademy.org/affiliate-dashboardoriginal/)
- [Affiliate Login](https://gwkacademy.org/affiliate-login/): GWK Academy Affiliate Program Welcome Affiliates! Please log in to see your dashboard and review your affiliate details.If you are not an affiliate and would like to apply to be in our program, please click here. Username Password Remember Me Log In Register | Lost Password?
- [Affiliate Login ORIGINAL](https://gwkacademy.org/affiliate-login-original/)
- [Testing email popup](https://gwkacademy.org/testing-email-popup/)
- [Thanks for Enrolling in GWK Academy!](https://gwkacademy.org/thank-you/): Thank you for joining GWK Academy! Your purchase has been successful and you are now able to access your courses. Access Your Courses We are honored to be a part of your family-building process. You are now all set to start diving into all of the content we have to offer. Use the “My Courses”
- [Choose your course](https://gwkacademy.org/choose-your-course/): Get Started Now! Choose which course you’d like to enroll in, and then click the Register or Sign Up button for instant access! Add Your Heading Text Here Adoption Information $99 For those interested in creating a forever family! Adoption / Foster-Adopt CourseAdoption & Foster Family-Building PartnersGay Dad Mentors Sign Up Surrogacy & IVF Course
- [Account](https://gwkacademy.org/account/)

## Landing Pages

- [GWK Academy New Member Questionnaire](https://gwkacademy.org/elementor-landing-page-3196/): Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.

## People

- [Mary Hope McQuiston](https://gwkacademy.org/person/mary-hope-mcquiston/): Member
- [Trystan Reese](https://gwkacademy.org/person/trystan-reese-board-member/): Member
- [Mark Leondires, M.D.](https://gwkacademy.org/person/mark-leondires-md/): Member
- [Rebecca Levin Nayak](https://gwkacademy.org/person/rebecca-levin-nayak-board-member/): Secretary
- [Joey Guzman-Kuffel](https://gwkacademy.org/person/joey-guzman-kuffel/): Member
- [Joel B. New](https://gwkacademy.org/person/joel-b-new/): Member
- [Doug Munster](https://gwkacademy.org/person/doug-munster/): Member
- [Denise Ambrusko-Maida](https://gwkacademy.org/person/denise-ambrusko-maida/): Vice President
- [David F.M. Vaughn](https://gwkacademy.org/person/david-f-m-vaughn/): Member
- [Bryan Ruiz](https://gwkacademy.org/person/bryan-ruiz/): Member
- [Antwon Chavis, M.D., FAAP](https://gwkacademy.org/person/antwon-chavis/): Member
- [Mark Leondires, M.D.](https://gwkacademy.org/person/mark-leondires-m-d/): Medical Advisor
- [Alex Cabal](https://gwkacademy.org/person/alex-cabal/): Social Media
- [Meg York](https://gwkacademy.org/person/meg-york/): Legal Advisor
- [Kameron March](https://gwkacademy.org/person/kameron-march/): Mentorship Co-Leader
- [Tom Tracy](https://gwkacademy.org/person/tom-tracy/): Mentorship Co-Leader
- [Rosalind Lonsdale](https://gwkacademy.org/person/rosalind-lonsdale/): Communications Advisor
- [Rebecca Levin Nayak](https://gwkacademy.org/person/rebecca-levin-nayak/): Legal Advisor
- [Molly Rampe Thomas](https://gwkacademy.org/person/molly-rampe-thomas/): Adoption Advisor
- [Kristen Hanson](https://gwkacademy.org/person/kristen-hanson/): Surrogacy Advisor
- [Eric Louison](https://gwkacademy.org/person/eric-louison/): Digital Marketing Manager
- [Brian Rosenberg](https://gwkacademy.org/person/brian-rosenberg/): Executive Director & Head Coach
- [Dr. Tom Bourdon](https://gwkacademy.org/person/dr-tom-bourdon/): LGBTQ+ Family-Building Coach
- [Trystan Reese](https://gwkacademy.org/person/trystan-reese/): Trans Family-Building Coach
- [Marea Goodman](https://gwkacademy.org/person/marea-goodman/): Biological Family-Building Coach

## Courses

- [Donor Conception for Lesbians and Queer Women](https://gwkacademy.org/courses/donor-conception-for-lesbians-and-queer-women/)
- [Surrogacy & IVF Course](https://gwkacademy.org/courses/surrogacy-ivf-course/)
- [Trans Fertility Options](https://gwkacademy.org/courses/trans-fertility-options/)
- [Agency Domestic Infant Adoption​](https://gwkacademy.org/courses/agency-domestic-infant-adoption/)
- [Interracial Adoption](https://gwkacademy.org/courses/interracial-adoption/)
- [HelpUsAdopt.org Adoption Grants](https://gwkacademy.org/courses/helpusadopt-org-adoption-grants/)
- [Adoption from Foster Care Course](https://gwkacademy.org/courses/adoption-from-foster-care-course/)
- [Surrogacy & IVF Family-Building Partners](https://gwkacademy.org/courses/surrogacy-ivf-family-building-partners/)
- [Fostering Older Youth](https://gwkacademy.org/courses/fostering-older-youth/)
- [International Adoption Course](https://gwkacademy.org/courses/international-adoption-course/)
- [Independent Adoption Course](https://gwkacademy.org/courses/independent-adoption-course/)
- [Adoption & Foster-Adopt Course](https://gwkacademy.org/courses/adoption-and-foster-adopt/)
- [Adoption & Foster-Adopt Mentors](https://gwkacademy.org/courses/adoption-mentors/)
- [Surrogacy Mentors](https://gwkacademy.org/courses/surrogacy-mentors/)
- [Find Your Path to Fatherhood](https://gwkacademy.org/courses/find-your-path-to-fatherhood-2/)
- [Coaching](https://gwkacademy.org/courses/coaching/): Fatherhood is complicated, don't go it alone! Here are some of the common topics we can discuss during your coaching session Discuss which path to parenthood is best for you Answer any questions you may have about your journey Determine your best next steps Help you find inclusive and reputable family-building partners Use the Calendly
- [Adoption & Foster Family-Building Partners](https://gwkacademy.org/courses/adoption-foster-family-building-partners/)

## Events

- [Spring Break 2027](https://gwkacademy.org/event/spring-break-2027/)

## Workshops

- [Fertility Pathways for LGBTQ+ Parents: Medical Options Explained](https://gwkacademy.org/workshop/fertility-pathways-for-lgbtq-parents-medical-options-explained/)
- [GWK Academy is the FREE Tool You Need to Become a Dad](https://gwkacademy.org/workshop/gwk-academy-is-the-free-tool-you-need-to-become-a-dad/)