events

Planning Surrogacy Parenthood by Men Having Babies

Our monthly NY workshop provides an opportunity to discuss in depth the legal, medical, financial, social and moral aspects of surrogacy and egg donation faced by gay men. The workshop is also an opportunity to get together with other gay men considering fatherhood, share information, provide mutual support, and to build a network of gay dads. Third Wednesday of every month, 6:30-8pm, at the Manhattan JCC. We also suggest links to workshops elsewhere in the USA and worldwide.

The San Francisco Surrogacy Conference & Expo by Men Having Babies and Our Family Coalition, January 14-15, 2017

Our 4th annual West Coast Men Having Babies conference will be held in a new exciting venue: The Marines’ Memorial Club and Hotel (as we have outgrown the space available at the SF LGBT Center). The conference will be offered in an expanded two day format — starting Saturday afternoon and continuing for the full day Sunday. It will bring together community activists, medical and legal experts, parents and surrogate mothers. Prospective parents will benefit from peer advice and opportunities to meet a wide range of leading providers at the Gay Parenting Expo, breakout sessions and in private consultations. In-depth programs will offer insights from the latest studies about contemporary gestational surrogacy in the United States, and specialty panels on insurance, budgeting, medical and psychological aspects of surrogacy. Proceeds from sponsorship and exhibiting fees benefit the Gay Parenting Assistance Program (GPAP) and Our Family Coalition.

• More information and registration go to the event page.
• Sign up to become a sponsor of this conference!

The 5th International Surrogacy and Infertility Conference in Israel, March 2-3, 2017 (notice date change)

The 5th International Surrogacy and Infertility Conference in Israel will be held at the Beautiful Israel convention center at Yarkon Park on March 2-3, 2017, with March 4 as optional day for consultations. The conference is designed for gay and straight prospective parents equally, covering primarily surrogacy opportunities in the USA, Israel, Canada and Eastern Europe. Our 2016 conference was not just our best-attended Israeli event yet, but was also highly significant in promoting public discourse and awareness about the social and ethical aspects of surrogacy. The conference was marked by an impressive alliance of collaborating organizations, including WIZO, Israel’s leading Women’s organization, CHEN L'Piryon, Israel’s fertility advocacy association, and the the Israeli Gay Father’s Association.
Following a record number of attendees in 2016 (500 IPs and professionals over two days), in 2017 the conference is moving to a larger venue that is also more centrally located and easily accessible by pubic transportation. In addition, more session will be added by expanding the hours on Thursday evening (and adding a supper). Simultaneous interpretation services will make most of the panels accessible to both Hebrew and English speakers. Proceeds from sponsorship and exhibiting fees will be dedicated for financial assistance and the advancement of surrogacy in Israel.

• More information and registration at the event page.
• Read a full report about the 2016 event.
• View clips from the 2016 program.

Men Having Babies Midwest / Chicago, April 8-9, 2016

MHB is returning to Chicago, following the successful collaboration with the Center on Halsted and Howard Brown Health Center in 2014 and 2015. This time we will be offering an extended two day format — starting Saturday afternoon and continuing for the full day Sunday. It will bring together community activists, medical and legal experts, parents and surrogate mothers. Prospective parents will benefit from peer advice and opportunities to meet a wide range of leading providers at the Gay Parenting Expo, breakout sessions and in private consultations. In-depth programs will offer insights from the latest studies about contemporary gestational surrogacy in the United States, and specialty panels on insurance, budgeting, medical and psychological aspects of surrogacy. Proceeds from sponsorship and exhibiting fees benefit the Gay Parenting Assistance Program (GPAP).

• More information and registration at the event page.
• View the conference highlight video on YouTube!
• View clips from the entire 2015 program

Men Having Babies South / Dallas, June 10-11, 2017

MHB is returning to Dallas after a very successful first conference there on Father’s Day, 2016. The Dallas conference is receiving wide support from leading LGBT establishments and groups in Texas including the Resource Center (the primary LGBT organization in North Texas), the Dallas Voice, Rainbow Roundup, Cathedral of Hope, The Handsome Father, and the Teddy Bear Party. This time we will be offering an extended two day format similar — starting Saturday afternoon and continuing for the full day Sunday. It will bring together community activists, medical and legal experts, parents and surrogate mothers. Prospective parents will benefit from peer advice and opportunities to meet a wide range of leading providers at the Gay Parenting Expo, breakout sessions and in private consultations. In-depth programs will offer insights from the latest studies about contemporary gestational surrogacy in the United States, and specialty panels on insurance, budgeting, medical and psychological aspects of surrogacy. Proceeds from sponsorship and exhibiting fees benefit the Gay Parenting Assistance Program (GPAP).

• More information and registration at the event page.
• Read a full report and see clips from the 2016 event
• View clips from the entire 2016 program
• Sign up to become a sponsor of this conference!

The 3nd Brussels Conference on Parenting Options for European Gay Men, September 23-24, 2017

MHB is once again teaming up with several European partners to offer a comprehensive parenting conference in 2017. This year we will offer more programs than before, including in-depth medical and budgeting advice, and an even wider range of relevant service providers than before. More than 220 attendees from 12 countries attended the 2016 MHB Brussels conference on Parenting options for European gay men. The conference was widely covered by the Belgian media, allowing us to raise the need for ethical and effective surrogacy legislation around Europe, amid increasing political debates across Belgium, Italy, France, and the Netherlands regarding surrogacy and assisted reproduction. Representatives of seven European LGBT associations expressed frustration over the currently limited fatherhood options gay Europeans have, and joined MHB in calling for ethical and effective European surrogacy parenting options. The call was informed by ethical parameters for the use of surrogacy that were developed by MHB in collaboration with an advisory committee of surrogates, two of whom took part in the conference. Our 2017 Brussels Conference will once again provide a wealth of unbiased information and access to a wide range of relevant service providers. It will be offered in an expanded two-days format, at the centrally located Hilton Grand Place hotel. Proceeds from sponsorship and exhibiting fees will benefit the Gay Parenting Assistance Program and are earmarked for prospective adoptive or surrogacy parents from Europe.

• More information and registration at the event page.
• Read a report about the 2016 event.
• View the program on our YouTube page
• Sign up to become a sponsor of this conference!

Men Having Babies New York City, November 12, 2017

Our 13th annual NYC Surrogacy Seminar & Gay Parenting Expo will once again be hosted and co-sponsored by the JCC Manhattan. The gay parenting expo will be at the large hall on the ground floor, where more than 25 providers and community organizations will offer information on parenting options in the USA and Canada. We will once again offer workshops, breakout sessions, on-site consultations and special in-depth panels about insurance, budgeting, medical and psychological aspects of surrogacy. Back by popular demand will be the panel of teenagers born via surrogacy to gay parents, in partnership with Family Equality Council.

• More information and registration at the event page.
• See the 2016 event page.
• View clips from the 2016 program.
• Sign up to become a sponsor of this conference!