Surrogacy for Gay Dads: Cost, Ethics & Building a Family

Surrogacy for Gay Dads: Cost, Ethics & Building a Family

Author: Jaimie Kelton – Queer Parenting & LGBTQ Families'. March 23, 2026 Duration: 54:39

Jaimie sits down with Daniel Berezowsky to talk about his and his husband’s journey to parenthood through surrogacy — and how their work in human rights shaped every step.

They share the emotional and financial realities of IVF, choosing an egg donor, and waiting to be matched with a surrogate, along with the surprising lessons they learned along the way — including letting go of assumptions and expanding what family can look like.

A thoughtful, honest conversation about queer family building, intention, and hope.

🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways

  • You don’t need to have everything figured out before taking the first step toward parenthood
  • Surrogacy is complex, emotional, and often far more expensive than expected
  • Approaching family building through a human rights lens can lead to more intentional, ethical decisions
  • The process of choosing an egg donor can feel overwhelming and deeply personal
  • Matching with a surrogate can take time — and requires patience and trust
  • Assumptions about people or places don’t always reflect reality
  • Queer family building often expands the meaning of family in beautiful and unexpected ways
  • Even when the path feels uncertain, hope and community matter


🏳️‍🌈 About the guest(s) Daniel Berezowsky is a human rights practitioner, writer, and soon-to-be dad who is documenting his journey to parenthood with his husband through his platform, Two Dads to Be. Originally from Mexico and now living in New York City, Daniel brings a thoughtful, human rights-centered approach to family building — asking not just how to become a parent, but how to do it with care, intention, and respect for everyone involved.


🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsors

Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment! 

🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentioned


🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com

🎧 Loved this episode?

Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!

OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:

🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content


🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?

Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!

🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!

Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube

🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 

🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website


🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Outdoorsy and use my code QUEERFAM for a great deal: https://www.outdoorsy.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Every family has a story, but the paths taken by LGBTQIA+ parents are often uniquely creative, filled with both profound joy and specific hurdles. The Queer Family Podcast-LGBTQ Families & Queer Parenting Stories is a weekly space where those narratives take center stage. Host Jaimie Kelton, a queer mom herself, guides conversations that are as laugh-out-loud funny as they are deeply moving. Each episode features candid interviews with a diverse range of guests, all sharing the intimate details of how they built their families-from adoption and fostering to IVF, surrogacy, and co-parenting. You’ll hear how these families navigate school systems, healthcare, and everyday social situations, tackling challenges with resilience and humor. This podcast digs into the real stuff of queer family life, covering topics across parenting, health, fitness, and sexuality, all through an authentic LGBTQ lens. The goal isn’t just to share stories; it’s to normalize and celebrate the beautiful spectrum of ways to create a home. Tune in for a sense of community, practical insights, and a powerful reminder that family is about love, in all its forms.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

The Queer Family Podcast – LGBTQ Families & Queer Parenting Stories
Podcast Episodes
LGBTQ Fertility Options: Exploring California Cryobank [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:49
In the third episode of the series, Nicole and Shannon Want a Baby, or Do They?, Jaimie, Nicole, and Shannon dive into the world of donor conception with Sydney Sharon, an expert from California Cryobank. With 45 years o…
LGBTQIA Adoption: How to Afford $50K in Costs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:16
In the second episode of the series, "Nicole and Shannon Want a Baby, or Do They?," Jaimie, Nicole, and Shannon sit down with Becky Fawcett, founder of HelpUsAdopt.org, a nonprofit offering financial grants to help famil…
Nicole And Shannon Want a Baby, Or Do They? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:15
Jaimie sits down with her assistant Nicole and her wife Shannon. Despite Nicole having worked on this podcast about queer families for over two years, they still haven’t decided if they want to have kids. As they weigh t…
From High School Besties To Queer Mamas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:32
Ashlyn and Jessica, high school friends turned life partners from Houston, share their journey to parenthood. They discuss the challenges of coming out, choosing a sperm donor, and navigating fertility treatments. They d…
A Tale of Love, Kids, and Surrogacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:04
Ali and Megan open up to Jaimie about giving the gift of family to another queer couple through surrogacy. Ali was a recently divorced mother of two when she swiped right for Megan on Tinder. Their connection was instant…
Surrogacy, Sperm Donation, and Raising a Rainbow Family [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:57
Jaimie chats with Damien Chambers, a gay dad through surrogacy, a known sperm and embryo donor, and founder of Surrogacy Agency, NewGen Families. They discuss the emotional and legal intricacies of surrogacy, sperm and e…
Tyler's Journey from Closeted Christian to Proud Gay Dad [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:50
Tyler, a gay dad of three, shares his transformative journey from a strict Christian upbringing to living his truth as an "ex-hetero." Highlighting his struggle with faith, family, and coming out later in life, Tyler tal…
Bonus Replay: Chateau Buteau feat. Michelle Buteau [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:59
Jaimie is still on a short break with her family, but we thought you’d enjoy a hilarious interview with ally extraordinaire Michelle Buteau from 2019! Michelle Buteau talks about her six-year journey to parenthood. From…