While the event is organized by gay parenting organizations, non-gay prospective parents are welcome and will benefit as it provides highly curated information including peer guidance, expert advice, information about financing and grants, inspirational testimonies from surrogates and fathers, and an opportunity to meet dozens of reputable and ethical surrogacy providers. “We are excited to welcome MHB back to Florida and to The Pride Center for the conference,” says CEO Robert Boo. “For 30+ years, The Pride Center has been providing a welcoming, safe space—an inclusive home—that celebrates, nurtures, and empowers the LGBTQ+ communities and our friends and neighbors in South Florida.”
Over the past twelve years, countless men have reaped the benefits of attending MHB worldwide conferences held in Atlanta, Chicago, Berlin, Brussels, New York, San Francisco, and Ft. Lauderdale. This coming October, the Florida Surrogacy program will cover the basics such as medical, legal, ethical, and financial aspects of surrogacy, but also new developments in the surrogacy field, as well as guidance on advanced new resources. New to this conference are the following sessions:
• MHB’s new Surrogacy Advisor cost comparison tools
• Independent, Semi-independent, and Modular Surrogacy Tracks
• MHB tools to facilitate access to Inclusive Surrogacy Benefits at the workplace
• A Perspectives Panel with parents, surrogates, and egg donors
• Workshop for single gay dads
“The sessions about navigating surrogacy were helpful, but the most important thing for us was learning about the financial aspects. Understanding the costs and finding ways to save money was priceless,” saidDaniel Marzoa, who has attended two conferences with his husband. The now father of twin boys in Miami, Florida says that learning about the Gay Parenting Assistance Program (GPAP), which provides free or discounted services, was a big help. “It gave us the knowledge and confidence we needed as two dads planning to have a family.”
Organizers felt it was important to add a session about “The Broader Context for Gay Parenting & Surrogacy”. Moderated by Ron Poole-Dayan, MHB’s executive director, it will address, among other issues, the concerns gay men have about raising children in a state like Florida. While Florida is very surrogacy-friendly, once the child is born, the environment for gay men might not feel safe. This is of particular importance because many gay men from all over the world come to Florida to create their families. It’s especially challenging for this community, since, in addition to Florida’s hostile ‘Don’t Say Gay Bill,’ prospective surrogacy gay fathers still face discriminatory health insurance and taxation regulations and unfair pricing policies. “We have hope, despite those who want to deny our existence. You cannot erase us,” adds Robert Boo. “We continue to push back against those who stigmatize LGBTQ+ identities, deny gender-affirming care, or create hostile learning environments for LGBTQ students, athletes, or family members. More than ever, our children and our families need love, strength, and support. We will stay and fight to protect the communities that we love.”
MHB team members explained that part of the reason they hold its conference in the Miami – Fort Lauderdale region was to ensure that people from the Latinx community, Central and Latin America would have access to the guidance, resources, and support it provides thousands of prospective gay fathers each year. The Florida conference will therefore be inclusive of the Latinx community with the help of several Latinx community organizations. In addition to a fully translated webpage, there will also be a Spanish interpretation service offered throughout the event.
Registration is now open via the website at
menhavingbabies.org/florida. Attendance for prospective parents is offered at a subsidized cost of $20 per person and includes meals and receptions (higher rates are available for professionals in related fields).
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