THE 12TH ANNUAL

NY MEN
HAVING BABIES
SURROGACY
SEMINAR & GAY
PARENTING EXPO
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH 2016
9:00 AM7:30 PM

334 Amsterdam Ave

AGENDA
Registration: 8:309:00 AM
Planning your journey: 9:0010:30 AM (Auditorium, floor L2)
We will open our session with introductions and a comparison of surrogacy with other parenting options. We will then provide the first part of
our comprehensive surrogacy workshop that was developed based on the accumulated knowledge of hundreds of gay men who have already
gone through the process.
Topics covered will include:
Basic terminology, types and components of typical surrogacy arrangements.
Typical sequence and timeline for gestational surrogacy journeys.
Legal considerations in the USA and Canada.
Major decisions regarding IVF, egg donation and surrogacy options.
Considering your family vision, financial constraints, risk tolerance and ethical preferences.

Coffee Break: 10:30 AM10:45 AM

Picking providers, budgeting and financial assistance: 10:45 AM12:00 PM (Auditorium, floor L2)
On the second part of our workshop we will provide peer advice on selecting service providers, cost saving tips, and resources for financial
support. Topics covered will include:
Where to start (agency, clinic, surrogate or donor)
Selecting an agency and clinic
Estimated costs, and factors that affect costs
Cost saving best practices.
Financial help through the Gay Parenting Assistance Program (GPAP).

Lunch / Gay Parenting Expo / Book Fair: 12:001:30 PM (Floors L1 and Lobby)
Enjoy a buffet lunch and our Book Fair on L1, and explore the Gay Parenting Services Exhibit at the main lobby: more than twenty five tables
where you can meet and receive information from leading clinics, surrogacy agencies, lawyers and supporting community organizations. The
expo will remain open until 5:30pm. Lunch is sponsored by San Diego Fertility Center.

Personal stories panel: 1:30 PM2:30 PM (Auditorium, floor L2)

Hear the diverse personal experiences of several gay surrogacy dads and the surrogates / egg donors who helped them. We will also hear from
State Senator Brad Hoylman, a gay surrogacy father, who will provide an update on efforts to legalize surrogacy in NY.
Moderator: Anthony Brown, Esq., MHB board chairman.
Panelist:

Tomer Tal
Enamored single father of Bruno, born this past January via gestational surrogacy.
Kristle Menozi
Wife and mother from North Carolina who lovingly carried Bruno for Tomer.
Chris Shelton
Chris is the pastor of Broadway Presbyterian Church, and along with his husband Kevin, joyfully welcomed their son, Ciaran, in September via gestational surrogacy.
Michelle Pine
Michelle Pine and her husband have three children, and live in Oregon. In 2015 she carried twins as a gestational surrogate for a gay
couple from Israel, and has recently begun a second journey with a serodiscordant couple from San Francisco. Michelle is an MHB
board member and the chair of the Surrogates Advisory Committee.
Speaker:

State Senator Brad Hoylman

Brad and his husband, David, are the parents of a young daughter who was born through gestational surrogacy. Senator Hoylman is
the prime sponsor of legislation that would legalize commercial gestational surrogacy contracts in New York.

Breakout sessions - come meet the sponsors: 2:304:30 PM (Various rooms on L1 and L2)
Attendees will have the opportunity to take part in up to 6 introductory 20-minute group consultations with the various providers. Take
advantage of this opportunity to get to know these agencies and clinics more closely. See the Breakout Sessions table on the next page. The
Gay Parenting Expo will also continue to be available during this period.

Private consultations with service providers: 3:008:00 PM

Several clinics and agencies will be available in offices for private consultations with prospective parents that wish to explore the options they
offer in more depth. Prospective parents may request to coordinate consultations in advance using this form. Consultation slots may also be
available last minute for those who want to first hear the providers during the breakout sessions.

PART II - SPECIALTY PANELS AND RECEPTION

(4:30 PM7:30 PM)
Time
NETWORKING RECEPTION / GAY PARENTING EXPO (MAIN LOBBY)

4:30-5:30 pm

Prospective parents, parents (&children!), psychologists, social workers, students, researchers and other
professionals are invited to network and exchange perspectives over refreshments, courtesy of Worldwide
Surrogacy Specialists. The Our Gay Parenting Expo will run in parallel until 5:30pm in the same space.

Auditorium (L2)

Classroom 2 (L1)

Teen Center (L2)

MEDICAL WORKSHOP:
BUDGETING:

A closer look at medical insurance

and surrogate compensation
packages
MODERATOR:

5:30-6:30 pm

Ron Poole-Dayan / MHB board

The medical screening of future

fathers, egg donors and surrogates,
the creation of optimal embryos,
and the IVF process
MODERATOR:

Dr. Georges Sylvestre / MHB board

PANELISTS:

PANELISTS:

- Mark Leondires, M.D. / RMA of

- Victoria Ferrara, Esq. / Worldwide
Connecticut
Surrogacy Specialists
- Sigal Klipstein, M.D. / Invia
- Diane Hinson, Esq. / Creative
Fertility Specialists
Family Connections
- Melvin Thornton, M.D. / CT Fertility
- Dean Hutchison, Esq. / Circle
- Susanna Park, M.D. / San Diego
Surrogacy
Fertility Center
- John Hesla, M.D. / Oregon
Reproductive Medicine

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES

during the surrogacy process

MODERATOR:

Gregory Payton, Ph.D. / MHB board

PANELISTS:

- Katelyn Jakobsen, LICSW / Men

Having Babies
- Jan Silverman, Ph.D. / CReATe
Fertility Centre

TEEN PANEL: SURROGACY CHILDREN OF GAY DADS SHARE THEIR STORIES (AUDITORIUM, L2)
MODERATOR: Stan J. Sloan / Executive director, Family Equality Council

6:307:30 pm

The panel is offered in cooperation with the Outspoken Generation program of Family Equality Council. The
program strives to empower those with LGBTQ parents to speak out about our communitys families. This panel
will be the first featuring exclusively children in gay headed families formed through surrogacy. Parents, children,
prospective parents, psychologists, social workers, students, researchers and other professionals are all welcome!

BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Time

L1: Adult Center

L1: Classroom 2

2:30

Victoria T. Ferrara, Esq.

Susanna Park, MD

Mark P. Leondires, MD

2:50

3:10

3:30

L2: Teen Center

Victoria T. Ferrara, Esq.

Susanna Park, MD

Mark P. Leondires, MD

Melvin Thornton, MD,

Joao de Pinho, MD

John Hesla, MD

Diane Hinson, Esq.

Melvin Thornton, MD,

Joao de Pinho, MD

John Hesla, MD

Diane Hinson, Esq.

L2: Classroom 1

Stephanie Scott
Kristen Hanson

Stephanie Scott
Kristen Hanson

Steven H. Snyder, Esq.

Sigal Klipstein, MD

3:50
Jerald Goldstein, MD

4:10

Gad Lavy, MD

Clifford Librach, MD

Robert Kaufmann, MD

Ellen Trachman, Esq.

John Chally, J.D.

Aaron Kreais

Aaron Kreais

CO-SPONSOR AND HOST

THE LGBTQ DEPARTMENT AT THE JCC MANHATTAN
Creating a safe, inclusive space for LGBTQ issues and people is an essential part of what The JCC Manhattan does. The LGBTQ program
includes a blend of social and cultural programs designed especially for the needs of our constituents. We combine monthly groups targeting
Queer Youth, Yeshiva Alum, those seeking a spiritual connection, and men over 40 with special events celebrating Gay Pride, Jewish &
Secular holidays. We have been expanding our LGBTQ programming to include singles programs, walking tours, writing classes, life coaching
workshops, panel discussions of relevant issues and mind-body classes. Our programs are appropriate for the old, young, partnered, single,
child-raising, religious and secular. Our community has no entrance requirement.

www.jccmanhattan.org/lgbtq

SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY & MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS

THE FAMILY EQUALITY COUNCIL
Family Equality Council is the national expert on LGBTQ parents and their families. We promote lived
and legal equality for these three million parents and their six million children. We foster supportive
communities, educate the public, and pursue policy change to advance equality for LGBTQ-headed
families across the United States. Current legal and cultural structures hurt LGBTQ parents and their
children. Through our commitment and expertise, we are the national organization advancing an
inclusive family agenda within and beyond the LGBTQ movement. Family Equality Council is committed
to a future in which families with parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer are
legally recognized, valued by society, and afforded equal opportunity to thrive.

www.familyequality.org

GAYS WITH KIDS

Gays With Kids is the worlds only global resource for gay dads and gay men considering fatherhood. Our
mission is to make sure every gay dad feels welcome, represented and connected regardless of his path to
fatherhood or where he lives. We help gay dads navigate fatherhood by sharing stories on how we create
and raise our families, and we also address a wide range of issues that are important to gay dads and gay
men considering fatherhood. Finally, by normalizing the gay family experience, we hope to inspire the next
generation of gay dads.

www.gayswithkids.com

PANELISTS:
Victoria Ferrara, Esq.
Victoria Ferrara is the Founder and Legal Director of Worldwide Surrogacy Specialists, LLC, a successful surrogacy
matching agency, through which she has helped many couples and individuals have children. One of her achievements
is the landmark decision of Raftopol v. Ramey, 12 A.3d 783 299 Conn. 681 (2011), a Connecticut Supreme Court case
that essentially created a new way to establish legal parentage in Connecticut, i.e., by being a party (Intended Parent) to a
valid gestational agreement regardless of genetic connection to the child to be born to the gestational surrogate. Attorney Ferrara appears
frequently in courts throughout the State of Connecticut for all matters in involving assisted reproduction law, pre-birth orders, and adoptions,
including co-parent and step-parent adoption matters. She is a member of the Academy of Assisted Reproductive Law Attorneys, the Family
Law Institute, the National Gay and Lesbian Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association, and the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association.

John S. Hesla, M.D.

Dr. Hesla is one of the most-respected and experienced physicians helping LGBTQ intended parents build their families
through egg donor surrogacy. He is a board-certied reproductive endocrinologist with extensive experience in IVF,
egg donation, surrogacy and reproductive genomics. He joined Oregon Reproductive Medicine (ORM) in 1999 as
the co-founder of its groundbreaking IVF program helping to build one of the first embryology laboratory clean rooms
in
the world. Prior to joining ORM, Dr. Hesla was director of IVF and Head of Reproductive Surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Hesla has
been instrumental in setting the high medical standards for ORMs fully-screened egg donor program, ORM Donors, and ORM Surrogacy,
ORMs program for surrogacy. He is a firm believer in making the best reproductive genomics technology available to patients through ORM
Genomics. He is globally recognized for his innovation, tenacity, passion, commitment to the LGBTQ community, and dedication to helping
patients achieve their dream of a healthy baby on their first attempt.

Diane S. Hinson, Esq.

Diane Hinson, a cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School, founded Creative Family Connections LLC on the principle
that everyone can build a family. After starting her own family as a single mother, Diane built a full-service surrogacy
agency and reproductive rights law firm that is consistently one of the highest-ranked agencies in the world. Clients from
across the country and around the world choose CFC for the compassionate care and legal expertise that Diane and her
team provide. Because of her passion for family equality, Diane has fought to obtain landmark court rulings for same-sex
parents. She has opened doors to IVF clinics for gay fathers, drafted and advocated for gay-friendly surrogacy legislation, served as HRCs
pro-bono counsel for surrogacy issues, spoken frequently about surrogacy, and provided surrogacy advice on the well-known Surromoms.com
website. She has also collaborated with fellow surrogacy attorneys to develop an in-depth 50-state surrogacy law analysis, which is widely
relied upon in the surrogacy world and cited in the media: www.surrogacymap.com.

Brad Hoylman
State Senator Brad Hoylman State Senator Brad Hoylman represents New Yorks 27th State Senate District, which covers much of the heart of
Manhattan, including the neighborhoods of Clinton/Hells Kitchen, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, the Upper West Side, Midtown/East Midtown,
Columbus Circle, Times Square, Stuyvesant Town-Peter Cooper Village, the East Village and Lower East Side. He was first elected to the State
Senate in November 2012 and he served as the Ranking Member of the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation. He and
his husband, David, are the parents of a youngdaughter who was born through gestational surrogacy. Senator Hoylman is the prime sponsor
of legislation that would legalize commercial gestational surrogacy contracts in New York.

Dean Hutchison, Esq.

Dean Hutchison is Director of Legal Services for Circle Surrogacy and Vice Chairman of the American Bar Associations Committee on Assisted
Reproductive Technology. He received his Bachelors Degree from the University of Richmond and his law degree from Suffolk University.
Prior to working with Circle Surrogacy, he was an attorney at Lawson & Weitzen in Boston, Massachusetts for six years. Dean has managed
hundreds of ART matters over the course of his career and has organized and presented on many panels on the legal aspects of surrogacy and
egg donation. He has been named a Rising Star in Massachusetts Super Lawyer and Boston Magazine every year since 2009.

Sigal Klipstein, M.D.

Dr. Klipstein is a graduate of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. She completed both her residency in Obstetrics and
Gynecology and fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Harvard Medical School. In addition, she completed a fellowship in
Medical Ethics at Harvard University. Dr. Klipstein has been the Chair of the national Ethics Committee of the American College of Obstetrics
and Gynecology. Dr. Klipstein is Board Certified in the specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.
She is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Dr. Klipstein has extensive experience working with same sex couples, egg donation and gestational surrogacy. She is the medical director
of the Egg Donor Program at Invia Fertility Specialists. Dr. Klipstein is widely published, having written numerous articles in both medical and
ethics journals. She has also authored several book chapters and presented at numerous medical conferences. She is fluent in Spanish and
Hebrew.

Mark P. Leondires, M.D.

Dr. Leondires, founder and Medical Director at Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut and Gay Parents To
Be, is board-certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI).
Dr. Leondires received his medical degree from the University Of Vermont, and completed his residency in OBGYN at
Maine Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in REI at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. He fulfilled
his military obligation by serving as the ART Director at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. His professional society memberships include
the Society of Reproductive Endocrinologists, the American College of OBGYN, and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Dr.
Leondires has been selected a Best Doctor in America, a Top Doc by Castle Connolly, and was the 2015 Path to Parenthood Visionary Award
Recipient for his outstanding commitment to patient care and building families. He is a speaker at many medical & advocacy conferences.
Dr. Leondires and his husband have two children through egg donation and surrogacy. He is proud to help others achieve their family building
dreams, and feels strongly that if one desires to have a family, all hurdles are surmountable and the joys boundless.

Susanna Park, M.D.

World renowned for her fertility expertise, IVF success and excellence in medical care, Dr. Susanna Park has practiced
as an infertility physician for the past 15 years. Dr. Park joined the San Diego Fertility Center in 2013 following her tenure
at Columbia University in New York City. Her passion is to combine her extensive experience as an infertility physician
with individualized care and compassion. Dr. Park is double board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive
Endocrinology and Infertility. She graduated summa cum laude from Siena College and obtained her medical degree at Albany Medical
College. Dr. Park completed her residency and her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, at University of Medicine and
Dentistry of New Jersey. Dr. Park has developed a large international referral practice due to her excellent patient rapport and high success
rates with a variety of treatments including IVF, donor eggs, egg freezing and gestational surrogacy. Dr. Park works closely with the leading
surrogacy agencies to assist the LGBT community build families.

Stan J. Sloan
A leader in the homeless, LGBTQ and AIDS service communities for over two decades, Stan J. Sloan was named Executive Director of Family
Equality Council in June 2016. Previously, he served as the CEO of Chicago House, a social service agency with a $7.2 million annual budget
that provides housing, employment services, medical linkage, HIV prevention services, legal services and other programs to individuals
and families disenfranchised by HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ poverty and/or gender nonconformity. Stan more than quintupled revenue at the agency
between 2000 and 2016, all the while spearheading ground-breaking initiatives. In 2013, Chicago House opened the TransLife Center, which
provides the nations most comprehensive services for the transgender community, and in 2015, Stan led a program that helps transgender
women become more aware of and gain access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). Over his career, Stan has cultivated heads of foundations
and government officials to build diverse and sustainable funding streams. He is also experienced in speaking with donors about the need to
take care of others in the LGBTQ parenting community, citing a personal philosophy that families take care of each other.

Melvin Thornton, M.D.

Dr. Melvin Thornton II is the Acting Medical Director & Director, Donor Egg Program at CT Fertility. Dr. Thornton has deep
expertise in the areas of IVF, surrogacy and donor egg, fertility preservation and male infertility. He recognizes the stressful
nature of infertility treatment and brings a compassionate touch to every interaction. Known for his calm demeanor, his
patients frequently describe him as a reassuring and personable physician who truly cares. Prior to joining CT Fertility, he
spent 15 years with the Columbia University IVF program where he held many leadership posts, including Medical Director
of its Westchester campus and Director of the donor egg program. In addition to his practical medical experience, he has devoted countless
hours to sharing his passion for RE by teaching and mentoring medical students, fellows, and residents as an Associate Clinical Professor of
Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia. Dr. Thornton has published more than 30 papers, written several book chapters and presented nearly
40 abstracts at professional conferences.

MHB SPEAKERS:
Anthony M. Brown, Esq., Board Chairman
Anthony currently is a senior associate at the law firm of Chianese and Reilly Law,P.C., heading their family and estates law division serving
married and unmarried individuals, couples and families. Anthony is the Executive Director of The Wedding Party and has been a Board
member since its inception in 1999. Anthony is the founder of TimeForFamilies.com, a web environment dedicated to assisting gay and lesbian
couples create their own families. Anthony has worked as a law guardian at The Childrens Law Center, representing the legal needs of children
in Brooklyn Family Court. Anthony also worked as a legal intern for Lambda Legal in the summer of 2002. Anthony was appointed as a board
member and Secretary of the board of Men Having Babies upon its incorporation in July 2012 and has served as Board Chairman since 2013.

A.J. Edge, Director of Operations & Finance

A.J. began working with Men Having Babies in October 2013 in conjunction with the launch of the Gay Parenting Assistance Program
(GPAP). His day-to-day responsibilities include conference production and logistics, managing GPAP including Stage II matching and case
management, finance, and budgeting. His past professional experience includes working for an array of not-for-profit organizations including
a Childrens Museum, an Opera company, and a Zoo. A.J. graduated summa cum laude from Walden University with a BS in business
administration and completed his MBA also from Walden University in August 2016. Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, he now resides in North
New Jersey with his husband, Daniel, a veterinarian who works within the animal health industry for a large pharmaceutical company. Together
they have two boys through adoption, Jackson and Peyton.

Katelyn Jakobsen, LICSW, Social Worker

Katelyn joined the Men Having Babies team in October 2013 as part of the launch of the Gay Parenting Assistance Program. Her primary focus
is conducting psycho-social assessments and helping IPs and gestational surrogates to properly structure their surrogacy experience from
the beginning. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in providing clinical support during the gestational surrogacy experience, Katelyn
holds a Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan. Upon completion of her degree, she worked for social services in
multiple states, specializing in foster care and adoption until she made the transition to surrogacy in 2008. Katelyn also works as a consultant
at The Center for Surrogacy and Egg Donation in Southborough, MA, managing the surrogate screening process. She is a member of the
National Association of Social Workers and presents at their annual conference on clinical aspects of surrogacy. Katelyn resides in a suburb of
Boston, MA, wife to husband, Bjorn, and mother to three young children.

Gregory J. Payton, Ph.D., Board Member

Greg is a Lecturer in the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University and a licensed clinical
psychologist in private practice in New York City. Greg received his Masters degree in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard
University and his Doctorate from Columbia University. In his teaching, research and practice, Greg emphasizes the resiliency of the LGBTQ
population and works to support their efforts at creating families. Additionally, Greg is an alumnus of the Point Foundation and currently serves
as a Mentor and member of the Alumni Committee. Greg and his husband Robert Lafferty welcomed their daughter, Grace, into their family
in 2013 and their son, James, in 2015.

Michelle Pine, Board Member, Chair of the Surrogates Advisory Committee

Michelle Pine is a special education teacher for students with mild disabilities at an alternative high school in Klamath Falls, Oregon, having
previously taught special education and Language Arts in Portland. Michelle holds two Masters in Education from Concordia University and
a Bachelor of Arts in English from Eastern Oregon University. When not working, Michelle enjoys reading and writing and spending time with
her family exploring Oregon. Michelle was a gestational surrogate for a same-sex couple from Israel in 2015, and has recently begun a second
journey with a serodiscordant couple from San Francisco. She and her husband have three amazing children, all who played an important role
in her first surrogacy journey and are equally excited about the next one.

Ron Poole-Dayan, Board Member / Executive Director

Ron is the executive director and founding board member of Men Having Babies. He has over 20 years of experience in marketing and business
strategy development both in the USA and internationally. Ron earned his Masters degree in political economy and comparative politics from
Columbia University, and his bachelors degree in business administration from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Ron is married to Greg
Poole-Dayan, the Administrator of the Jewish Home Lifecare Nursing Home in the Bronx. The couple met in 1994, and are among of the first
same-sex couples in the nation to father children through gestational surrogacy. The twins, born in 2001, were conceived with the use of eggs
donated by Gregs sister, and carried by a gestational carrier. Ron has been the MHB program coordinator since 2005, and was appointed as
the Executive Director of Men Having Babies upon its in corporation in July 2012.

Georges Sylvestre, M.D., Board Member

Georges Sylvestre is an Obstetrician/Gynecologist specialized in High-Risk Pregnancies, currently Chairman of OBGYN at Flushing Hospital
Medical Center in Queens. Georges and his husband David Margolis live in Manhattan, and are the proud fathers of Tristan and Noah, born in
2010 and 2013 via gestational surrogacy. Having grown up in France, Canada and Switzerland, the Sylvestre-Margolis boys speak French and
English at home, and has traveled extensively across the world, making a point of meeting other LGBT gay couples raising children. Georges
profession and personal experience give him a unique advantage in understanding the medical, psychological, ethical and financial challenges
of the IP/couple egg donor Gestational surrogate triad.

Sherman L. Taylor II, Board Member

Sherman is a technology manager in the Research & Development organization of Procter & Gamble, based in Cincinnati, OH. Sherman
received his Bachelors and Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering and Colloids, Polymers and Surfaces from Carnegie Mellon University.
Sherman leads of group of scientists and engineers to create new and improved consumer products; he has worked across a variety of brands
in his career including Pampers, Vicks, PuR, Swiffer, Magic Erasers, Bounce and Downy. Sherman also leads the design of corporate training
programs to accelerate the growth and development of New Hires upon entering the company. Sherman and his husband Andrew have a son
via surrogacy, born in 2013.

2017
EVENTS
SAN FRANCISCO

DALLAS

January 14-15, 2017

Marines Memorial Club and Hotel

June 10-11, 2017

Wyndham Dallas Suites Park Central

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

BRUSSELS

Februar 23-24, 2017 Dan Panorama Hotel

September 2017
Hilton Brussels Grand Place

CHICAGO

NEW YORK CITY

April 8-9, 2017

Delta Hotel by Marriott,
Chicago North Shore not final

November 2017
JCC Manhattannot final

www.menhavingbabies.org/events
9

BREAKOUT SESSION SPEAKERS:

Stephanie Scott
Stephanie Scott is the Co-Owner/Executive Program Director for Simple Surrogacy and Simple Donations in Dallas, TX.
Her passion in life is helping childless couples and individuals realize their dreams of becoming parents. With over 14 years
of experience in the surrogacy and egg donation community, having been a surrogate twice before and managing one
of the most supportive, well-respected and cost-consciousness agencies in the United States, Stephanie has well rounded
knowledge of every aspect of the surrogacy and egg donation process. She holds her team and the colleagues she works with to a higher
standard, she expects everyone to go the extra mile so that clients who come through the program are not only successful, but have had a
good experience. As the Program Director, Stephanie manages the day to day operations at Simple Surrogacy and Simple Donations. Her
duties include, but are not limited to, new client consultations, profile review and editing, educating her clients about the process, creating a
realistic budget for her clients and ensuring her team is properly supportive all parties throughout their journey.

Aaron Kreais
Director of Client Development, Aaron Kreais, helps connect potential Intended Parents with Family Source Consultants and works to educate
the LGBT community about third-party reproduction options. Aaron is a former Intended Parent with Family Source Consultants. Aaron and
his husband Joshua have beautiful boy/girl twins, Hudson and Irene, via surrogacy. After experiencing the surrogacy process firsthand with
Family Source Consultants, Aaron is excited to assist other Intended Parents with the rewarding work of starting or growing a family. Aaron
received his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Ohio State University. Prior to joining Family Source Consultants, he was a
partner in several agricultural-related companies. Aaron is based in Columbus, Ohio.

Clifford Librach, M.D.

Dr. Librach is the founder and Director of the CReATe Fertility Centre and CReATe Cord Blood Bank (Toronto, Canada). He is an Associate
Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto. He served as Division Head of Reproductive
Endocrinology & Infertility at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Womens College Hospital for 23 years. Dr. Librach has been the Chair
of Ontario Medical Association Reproductive Biology since 2004. He co-founded the Canadian Fertility and Andrology (CFAS) IVF Improvement
Committee. He has been interviewed extensively on ART-related topics in the national and international media. Dr. Librach is the pioneer and
leader in the field of the third party reproduction and runs the largest egg donation and gestational surrogacy program in Canada. He has
published over 60 peer-reviewed original publications including an analysis of the medical, psychosocial and legal issues involved in surrogacy
program; as well as the largest published series on assisted reproduction for the same-sex male couples and single men.

Steven H. Snyder, Esq.

Steven H. Snyder, Esq., is the founding and principal partner of Steven H. Snyder & Associates in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
He is also the Director of the International Assisted Reproduction Center, a U.S. surrogacy and egg donation matching
agency. Mr. Snyder is an active leader in numerous professional organizations, including RESOLVE, the American Fertility
Association, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, and the American Bar Association Assisted Reproductive
Technology Committee. Mr. Snyder is an expert and a frequent national and international speaker on assisted reproductive technology topics.

Gad Lavy, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

Dr. Lavy established New England Fertility in 1990, as the first non hospital based assisted reproductive program in the state of Connecticut.
Dr. Lavy is board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Lavy received his medical degree from Hadassah
Medical School followed by a research fellowship in biochemistry. Dr. Lavy completed his residency at Yale University School of Medicine and
completed an advanced fellowship in the Division of Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Lavy is a member of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association,
American Society of Reproductive Medicine, Society of Reproductive Endocrinologists, Society of Reproductive Surgeons, and American
College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Lavy also works extensively with gay couples and is one of only a very few reproductive physicians
who has experience with international surrogacy. Dr. Lavy was featured in the award-winning documentary Google Baby. He is also on the
speakers board for Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Serono and Merck. Dr. Lavy leads a team of highly trained clinicians and scientists to provide
comprehensive, compassionate and personal service.

10

Ellen Trachman, Esq.

Ellen is an attorney who left corporate law years ago to make a difference in peoples lives. She founded Trachman Law Center, LLC,
specializing in family formation law, and loves representing men and women who are building their families through assisted reproductive
technology. The creation of Colorado Surrogacy was the natural next step in the evolution of Ellens commitment to growing families through
surrogacy. She cant imagine more rewarding, meaningful and enjoyable work. Ellen is affiliated with several professional associations devoted
to family formation and was named Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year in 2015 by the Denver Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Originally
from northern New Mexico, Ellen did her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and earned her law degree from Emory
University in Atlanta, Georgia. Ellen has four children and loves living in colorful Colorado.

John Chally, J.D.

John is one of the Directors and Founders of Northwest Surrogacy Center, LLC. He has 20 years of experience as a surrogacy attorney, with a
focus on securing the legal relationships between intended parents and their children. He also has nearly 40 years of experience practicing in
the areas of adoption and adoption litigation. He has a Martindale-Hubbell rating of AV Preeminent, indicating the highest level of professional
excellence and ethical standards, and is ranked as a Super Lawyer. He is a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and the
American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys. One of the early promoters of open adoption, John is a former member
of the State of Oregon Task Force on Adoption Services and the Oregon Law Foundation Adoption Committee. In 1985 he co-founded Open
Adoption & Family Services, Inc., one of the largest adoption agencies in the Pacific Northwest. He has published numerous articles and book
chapters on adoption and frequently speaks at adoption seminars.

Jerald S. Goldstein, M.D.

Founder and medical director of Fertility Specialists of Texas, Dr. Jerald S. Goldstein is a native Texan who received his medical degree
from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas. He is board certified in both obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive
endocrinology and infertility. Dr. Goldstein was an assistant professor in the division of reproductive endocrinology at Washington University
Medical Center, St. Louis. He has presented before numerous medical conferences and published in such peer-reviewed journals as Fertility
and Sterility and Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Goldstein is a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, the American
College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. Goldstein has repeatedly been
recognized by peers and patients alike as a leader in his field. He has been voted a Best Doctor in D Magazine, most recently in 2016, as well
as listed as a top doctor in several publications including Texas Monthlys annual list of Super Doctors.

Robert Kaufmann, M.D., HCLD

Dr. Kaufmann is one of the top board-certified reproductive endocrinologists in Texas specializing in fertility care rangi ng from intrauterine
insemination to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). Nationally recognized as a leader in IVF for highly
successful donor and third-party gestational surrogacy programs, Dr. Kaufmann continually invests considerable resources and his passion for
this specialty into establishing the most comprehensive infertility program in the nation. Dr. Kaufmann changed the landscape of reproductive
medicine with his research contributions and academic leadership. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Kaufmann leads a recognized team
of physicians, nurses, embryologists and support staff providing personalized patient care across the globe. Fort Worth Fertility demonstrates
an extensive and proven track record with over 1,800 gestational carrier cycles and 3,000 PGD cases. Dr. Kaufmann has been recognized
annually by both peers and patients. Peers appointed him Top Doctor in Fort Worth, Texas magazine from 2005-2016, and patients bestowed
him with the Most Compassionate Doctor Award, Patients Choice Award and Top 10 Doctors on Vitals.com.

11

SPONSORS DIRECTORY
SAN DIEGO FERTILITY CENTER
San Diego Fertility Center is one of the most highly respected and well-established fertility centers worldwide,
serving a diverse patient population with compassion, respect and confidentiality. With more than 60 years of
collective experience diagnosing and treating infertility, SDFC is proud to offer the LGBT community solutions
in achieving parenthood through egg donation, surrogacy, IVF and Intrauterine Inseminations. San Diego
Fertility Center consistently maintains some of the highest live birth rates for Egg Donor IVF worldwide! SDFC
experiences clinical pregnancy rates of 70% - 80%. The latest data from the Society of Assisted Reproductive
Technology reports that SDFC outpaces the majority of U.S. fertility clinics by an average of 25%-30% every
year. Additionally, SDFC partners with national and international surrogate agencies to help Intended Parents
successfully build their families. Unlike other egg donor agencies, San Diego Fertility Centers in-house Egg
Donor Program is supervised by nationally recognized fertility specialists. Egg Donor IVF recipients have
the option of selecting an in- house candidate or utilizing an agency egg donor. The opportunity for known
donation and future contact is also possible. SDFC Success Guarantee financial program offers hope,
confidence and peace of mind that you have chosen the right team to build your family!

www.sdfertility.com

WORLDWIDE SURROGACY SPECIALISTS, LLC

Worldwide Surrogacy Specialists LLC was founded by leading reproductive lawyer, Victoria T. Ferrara. The worldwide team guides and informs
diverse and hopeful parents through their surrogacy journeys with compassion, professionalism and the highest ethical standards. Worldwide
is dedicated to providing premier service including attentive, individualized representation to all of our clients so that Intended Parents can
focus on the joys of having children. Victoria has been practicing law in the area of assisted reproductive technology for over 25 years and she
lectures to physicians, potential parents, universities, and lawyers around the world. Victoria has proudly fought for the rights of the GLBTQ
community and in 2015, she received the Lambda Legal Award in recognition for her commitment to equality. Victoria also won a historic and
landmark court decision in the Connecticut Supreme Court, Raftopol v. Ramie, which was a major beneficial change in surrogacy law. Victoria
and her partner, Michelle, of 23 years, are the proud parents of two sons, ages 16 and 21. Sbe is a member of the American Academy of
Assisted Reproductive Lawyers as well as the American Bar Association Family Law/Assisted Reproduction Committee, and she is the author
of Gestational Surrogacy, A Primer.

www.worldwidesurrogacy.org

12

REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE ASSOCIATES OF CT

GayParentsToBe (GPTB) is an informational resource and link to gay parenting services. We strive to provide the best
care for LGBT couples and individuals as they navigate all of the options to bring a child into the world. We know that
choosing an outstanding fertility center is paramount to having successful results when planning to have children. GPTB, in partnership
with Reproductive Medicine Associates of CT (RMACT) provides the highest quality treatment and outcomes for gay men, lesbians,
and transgender individuals and couples. At GPTB and RMACT we work with surrogacy agencies, egg and sperm donors (known and
anonymous), and attorneys to help you grow your family. Gay Parents To Be is conveniently located within 60 minutes of New York City
and accessible by train. Dr. Leondires and the team at GPTB have successfully helped hundreds of couples realize their dreams through
third party reproduction.

www.rmact.com

SIMPLE SURROGACY
Simple Surrogacy was founded in 2002 to assist couples and individuals in achieving a family through assisted reproduction. We
were founded on one simple principle: to provide our clients with the highest standard of care at an affordable price. We are one of the largest surrogacy
and egg donation agencies in the U.S., and are highly regarded in the surrogacy community for our expertise, support and professionalism. Simple
Surrogacy has worked with many International Clients on their journey to becoming parents, using our personal attention to detail, prompt response
and matching times, and affordable prices. Our counselors, coordinators and owners are all experienced in assisted reproduction, as former surrogates,
Intended Parents or Egg Donors. It is our pleasure to offer our clients that insiders expert knowledge at significantly reduced costs that enable many
people to become Parents through Surrogacy.

www.simplesurrogacy.com

FAMILY SOURCE CONSULTANTS

Family Source Consultants, LLC is an Illinois based Gestational Surrogacy & Egg Donation Agency. We match and facilitate Gestational Surrogacy and Egg Donation arrangements,
and work with traditional, gay or lesbian couples and individuals of all races, religious and ethnic backgrounds. Our agency handles all aspects of each assisted reproduction
program, whether it involves Egg Donation and/or Gestational Surrogacy. We work closely with each and every client to ensure arrangements are customized to meet the specific
needs of prospective parents, surrogates and egg donors. Family Source Consultants are proud members of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, and Resolve. In
addition, we have aligned our agency with the highest levels of Reproductive Endocrinologists, Reproductive Attorneys and Psychologists. We welcome you to contact us for
additional information. Family Source Consultants looks forward to participating as members of your baby creation team!

www.familysourcesurrogacy.com

CT FERTILITY

CT Fertility strives to provide all patients every available option for building their family. For the last 25 years we have been a leader in fertility, and have been widely recognized
throughout Europe and the U.S. as a preeminent fertility center for advanced reproductive care of infertile couples, singles and same-sex couples. In the past year, Melvin
Thornton, II, MD joined our practice as Acting Medical Director and Director of the Egg Donor Program. After 15 years as a Professor at the Columbia University College of
Medicine and Medical Director of the Columbia University IVF program, as well as 9 years as Director of the Columbia University donor egg program, we are honored to have him
be a part of the leadership team. We take great pride in partnering with, guiding and empowering our patients to achieve their unique family building goals. Based in a brand-new
facility in beautiful Trumbull, CT, just 90 minutes north of New York City, CT Fertility also has offices in Manhattan. We are thrilled to announce our expansion into Europe with a
new office in Barcelona, Spain. By expanding our capacity and presence, we hope to bring new family building options to patients around the world.

www.ctfertility.com

13

CREATIVE FAMILY CONNECTIONS

Founded in 2001 by Diane Hinson, Creative Family Connections LLC, is a full-service surrogate matching agency and
law firm. CFC passionately upholds the principle that everyone can build a familyDiane began her own family
as a single parent. CFC provides its clients more than half of which are same-sex couples with premiere concierge-level support
from its caring case managers, as well as expert legal services, all in one integrated entity. The surrogate screening process at CFC
is highly rigorous, resulting in the acceptance of only 2% of potential candidates who apply. CFCs surrogates are not only healthy and
clinically pre-approved, but they have a deep desire to help build someones family. CFCs mission is to make every surrogacy journey
as happy and stress-free as possible, while also legal and ethical. CFC is honored to be ranked as a top surrogacy company in the
world by parents who have completed their surrogacy journey, as compiled by Men Having Babies. Diane and her team collaborated
with fellow surrogacy attorneys to develop an in-depth 50-state surrogacy law analysis, at www.surrogacymap.com, which is relied
on throughout the surrogacy world and is frequently cited in the media, including the New York Times and CNN.

www.creativefamilyconnections.com

OREGON REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE

Love is Family. Oregon Reproductive Medicine (ORM) is one of the worlds leading IVF clinics for donor egg surrogacy. For over 25 years we have been helping LGBTQ intended
parents from 40 countries build their families. We are recognized globally for personalized care and consistently achieving among the highest live birth success rates in recent
years a more than 90% live birth rate with more than 70% twins in our donor egg surrogacy program. ORM Donors is our in-house egg donor program. Our locally-based
donors are fully and rigorously-screened which minimizes time, risk and cost for intended parents. ORM Surrogacy is our program for intended parents working with a surrogate
as part of their family building. ORM is one of the most experienced IVF clinics for surrogacy, with a dedicated team for managing these complex processes and longstanding
relationships with the most experienced and respected surrogacy agencies. ORM Genomics is our program for integrating the most advanced reproductive genomics care and
screening into every journey. Our team of in-house genetics counselors works with every donor and intended parent. Our goal is to give every intended parent the very best
chance for success and a healthy baby on their first attempt.

www.oregonreproductivemedicine.com

CREATE FERTILITY CENTRE

Working with you to CReATe the family youve always dreamed of. Under the leadership of Dr. Clifford Librach,
CReATe (Canadian Reproductive Assisted Technologies) Fertility Centre specializes in highly individualized care for clients from
across Canada and around the world. Our patients have unique hopes and dreams for a family says Dr. Librach. Our team of
professionals collaborate with you to provide personalized care with state-of-the-art on-site services including anonymous or
known egg donation, gestational surrogacy, cryopreservation and Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening (PGS). As such, CReATe
offers success rates among the top facilities in the world. Our staff strongly believe in caring for the whole patient taking into
consideration social, cultural and spiritual needs. We pride ourselves on working with individuals & couples from all walks of life
and supporting the LGBT community including annual participation at Pride Toronto.

www.createivf.com

IARC

IARC has extensive expertise in surrogacy and egg donation programs based on over 1,000 births to intended parents of all types around the globe. We are proud to offer fullservice support with all legal, medical, financial, emotional, and educational aspects of this process while always remaining concerned about the well-being of all parties in the
process. You may count on us for thorough education, transparency, and personalized attention. This is not a one size fits all process, and we help intended parents to make
decisions that are best for their needs. This is an emotional step but also one that is filled with excitement. Joining your family on this journey would be our sincere privilege!

www.fertilityhelp.com
14

NEW ENGLAND FERTILITY

Dr. Gad Lavy founded New England Fertility in 1991, with the goal of providing state-of-the-art fertility treatment to couples and individuals seeking help conceiving. New England
Fertility was the first non-hospital-based outpatient in vitro fertilization (IVF) center in the state of Connecticut, as well as the first infertility treatment center in Connecticut to
have a baby born from a cryopreserved egg. New England Fertility was also a pioneer in providing innovative fertility therapies such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI),
pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), and egg freezing, and is recognized as one of the largest egg donor/gestational surrogacy programs in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

www.nefertility.com

COLORADO SURROGACY
Were a professional, friendly, Colorado-focused agency committed to growing families through surrogacy. We provide assistance to
infertile couples, same-sex couples, and single men and women seeking to start a family through assisted reproductive technology. Our
services empower, grow and protect the family about to be created. Colorado has one of the most surrogacy-friendly judicial systems
in the country, which is a major reason were located here. Colorado courts routinely grant intended parents pre-birth parentage orders
(PBOs) before the baby is delivered. Perhaps most importantly, Colorado does not use gender to dictate who can be a parent. We love
that our surrogates reside in the state ranked as the healthiest in the country. Were also home to world-class fertility specialists and boast
300 days of mood-enhancing sunshine a year. We make sure you dont miss a thing, even from afar.

www.coloradosurro.com

NORTHWEST SURROGACY CENTER

Founded in 1994 by attorneys specializing in surrogacy and adoption, Northwest Surrogacy Center, LLC is the leading and most successful surrogacy program on the West
Coast. NWSC is dedicated to helping people of all kinds create the families they have dreamed of by matching intended parents with caring, responsible surrogates. We provide
unparalleled service throughout the surrogacy process, from the application process to the birth and beyond. NWSC is consistently ranked one of the best surrogacy agencies
overall by the Men Having Babies survey, with lower than average costs and wait times, and higher than average success rates. We work with Oregon Reproductive Medicine
(ORM), one of the most successful IVF clinics in the world. In addition to its flagship office in Portland, Oregon, NWSC also has an office in the heart of San Francisco, California.

www.nwsurrogacycenter.com

FERTILITY SPECIALISTS OF TEXAS

Fertility Specialists of Texas, an active GPAP participant, created LGBT Fertility, a specialty division of the practice, to better serve the LGBT community and the unique challenges
it faces when building families. At FST our goals are simple: to offer same-sex couples the best, most proactive medical plan for having a biological child, to serve as a one-stop
resource for information, guidance and referrals for navigating third-party fertility, and to make family building via fertility treatments ef cient, effective and as affordable as
possible for the LGBT community. FST offers cutting-edge technology coupled with individualized, patient-focused care that results in some of the highest pregnancy rates in the
nation. We provide the latest in reproductive technology at our state-of-the-art fertility center in Frisco, Texas, as well as at our satellite of ces. Though headquartered in Texas,
we are an international practice, offering services to patients around the world.

www.fertilitytexas.com

15

GREENSPOON MARDER
Marla Neufeld is an attorney in Greenspoon Marders Family Law practice group and founder of the firms Assisted Reproductive Technology practice group. Neufeld experienced
her own infertility journey and ultimately used a surrogate. Neufeld focuses on helping others start a family using available third party reproductive technologies in Florida.
Legal services offered include surrogacy representation on behalf of surrogates and intended parents interested in using a surrogate, egg and sperm donation agreements, and
adoption. Greenspoon Marder is committed to providing excellent client service through our cross-disciplinary, client-team approach. Our goal is to understand the challenges
that our clients face, build collaborative relationships, and craft creative solutions designed and executed with long-term strategic goals in mind. Since our inception in 1981,
Greenspoon Marder has become a full-service, Am Law 200 and NLJ 350 law firm with more than 180 attorneys.

www.gmlaw.com

PRECIOUSEGGS
At PreciousEggs, we celebrate diversity and understand that everyones path to parenthood is unique. We offer flexible, highly successful, and affordable donor egg and embryo
creation options. Our active donor egg program utilizes both fresh and frozen egg technology. In addition to our PreciousEggs donors, we partner with My Egg Bank of North
America, one of the largest and most successful egg banks in the world. We are proud to be affiliated with Reproductive Associates of Delaware, a leading fertility center in the
Mid-Atlantic that started over 20 years ago. Our expertise in egg freezing and embryo creation combined with our state-of-the-art laboratory allows us to collaborate with centers
all over the world to ship embryos to a center closer to you. No matter where youre located, with PreciousEggs, you will never be alone on your path to parenthood.

www.preciouseggs.org

INVIA FERTILITY SPECIALISTS

At InVia Fertility Specialists, we openly welcome, and frequently work with, many same sex couples and single parents. Nothing should
stop any individual or couple who wants a family from achieving that dream, and we are here to help in any way that we can. Our fertility
team is always available to give you guidance and information as you need it. This team includes not only the knowledgeable InVia
Fertility Specialists staff, but also psychologists, legal experts, and egg donor and surrogate agencies. In fact, we have our own egg
donor program so that we can streamline the process for those who require egg donation. We at InVia Fertility Specialists would like to
be your guides and provide a judgment free zone for you to feel safe and comfortable while going through this very important step toward
building your family.

www.inviafertility.com

FORT WORTH FERTILITY

Selecting the right fertility specialist is essential for success. Dr. Robert A. Kaufmann, board certified Reproductive Endocrinologist and founder of Fort Worth Fertility, created
a legacy of excellence and a place where miracles begin. Located in the heart of Fort Worth, Texas our state-of-the-art facility is home to a world-renowned fertility specialist,
embryologist and compassionate support staff committed to your successful outcome. Dr. Kaufmann practices advanced in-vitro fertilization techniques, including split
fertilization, helping intended fathers reach their goal of sharing a biological connection to their child. Furthering our high standard of care, we only partner with reputable egg
donor and surrogate agencies. Under Dr. Kaufmanns leadership Fort Worth Fertility reports superior clinical results, outpacing most other fertility clinics reporting IVF success
statistics. At Fort Worth Fertility we strive to make affordable, personal treatment options a reality for all hopeful parents.

www.fwivf.com

16

CIRCLE SURROGACY
Circle Surrogacy is the worlds largest, gay-owned, full-service surrogate-parenting agency. Since 1995, Circle
has helped couples and singles from 73 countries and 6 continents build their families. Our dedicated staff
of attorneys, social workers, program coordinators, experienced surrogates, and parents through surrogacy
have been involved in the birth of more than 1,200 babies. We have achieved unparalleled success rates for
our intended parents by controlling costs and insurance, securing high-quality IVF treatment, and focusing on our
matching process. Our innovative offerings include unlimited matching, unlimited IVF, a fixed-fee program, and a concierge program.
We offer free, comprehensive consultations as well as informational seminars over Skype, in our office, and in many major cities that
we travel to around the world. To view Circles travel schedule visit our website: www.circlesurrogacy.com/events.

www.circlesurrogacy.com

ARTPARENTING
Have questions about building your family? We have answers. Meryl B. Rosenberg, Esq. has been helping LGBT
couples and singles to create families since 1993. Whether you need a comprehensive surrogacy program
or legal services for second-parent adoption, birth orders, egg/sperm/embryo donation, or surrogacy we
know how to help. COMPREHENSIVE SURROGACY PROGRAM: Well guide you from start to finish: finding the
right gestational surrogate, managing expenses, and coordinating the entire process through the birth. LEGAL
SERVICES: For LGBT parents, in particular, it is essential to ensure youre recognized as the childs sole legal
parent(s). We offer legal assistance with second-parent adoption, egg/embryo/sperm donation, birth orders, and surrogacy. JUST
ASK: Our founder, Meryl B. Rosenberg, and associate attorney Wendy Randolph, will personally answer your questions and handle
legal representation.

www.artparenting.com

PEARL SURROGACY
Pearl Surrogacy, where care comes full circle. Our mission is simple: to help build families via surrogacy while
providing superior care, guidance, and support to our intended parents and gestational carriers. We understand that
beginning the surrogacy process is both exciting and daunting. We are here to help you navigate the complexities,
manage the legal issues and keep you moving on your path to parenthood. Pearl Surrogacy coordinators are
guaranteed to have extensive, direct experience in the infertility industry. We understand that the surrogacy experience is
not
always predictable, but we have the expertise to address any issues that arise and the compassion to provide ongoing support to you
and your gestational carrier.

www.pearlsurrogacy.com

EMD SERONO
EMD Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is a specialized biopharmaceutical
company dedicated to developing therapies with groundbreaking potential. At EMD Serono, we recognized the
potential of specialty pharmaceuticals and patient care long ago, and have been dedicated to delivering on their
promise ever since. We have a legacy of both trying to find solutions to hard to treat conditions, as well as developing
patient assistance programs that help ensure that those who need our therapies are able to access them. As one of the top five U.S.
companies exclusively focused on specialty care, we see our innovation as a matter of balancing science with emotion integrating our
top minds in research and development with the insights from patients and health care practitioners confronting real- world concerns.

www.emdserono.com

CENTER FOR SURROGATE PARENTING, INC.

The Center for Surrogate Parenting, Inc.(CSP), started in 1980, is a world-renowned surrogate parenting program with offices
in Encino, California, and Annapolis, Maryland. CSP was the first surrogacy agency in the world to help a same sex couple
realize their dream of becoming parents. More than half of our intended parents come from outside the U.S. CSP was established
because we strongly believe that raising a child is one of the special joys in life and all intended parents who are ready and willing to take on the
responsibility of parenthood deserve that opportunity. Our goal is to provide you with the most professional and experienced care and guidance
available in order for you to create your family and to ensure your journey with our program is as calm and relaxed as possible.

www.creatingfamilies.com
17

To Start Your Family,

Start With A Caring
Partnership.
Our caring, knowledgeable professionals provide
exceptional guidance along the path to parenthood
through surrogacy, from comprehensive surrogacy
matching services to legal advice and counseling.

Visit us to download a FREE copy of our

best-selling surrogacy primer.
WorldwideSurrogacy.org/NY
WorldwideSurrogacy.org
or call (203) 255-9877

Global Leaders in Third Party Reproduction

Parenting with
Embracing Diversity

P ride

2015
Creating Modern Families

IVF * SURROGACY * EGG DONATION * INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION

Get Started today!! View our Egg Donor Data base at: www.eggdonor4u.com
11515 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA. 92130
Tele: 858-794-6363 Fax: 858-7946360
www. sdfertility.com
18

19

GROW YOUR FAMILY

with the

EXPERTS

IVF | EGG DONORS | SURROGACY | REPRODUCTIVE GENOMICS

OregonReproductiveMedicine.com

+1 503.274.4994

DR. MELVIN THORNTON II

AC T I N G M E D I C A L D I R E C TO R
& D I R E C TO R O F T H E E G G D O N O R P R O G R A M

Dr. Thorntons expertise in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

combined with his warm nature ensures that each of his patients feels
cared for and supported throughout their experience. He places an
emphasis on individualized care and focuses on helping each patient
determine the path that is right for them as they go through the journey
of creating their family.

HELPING YOU ACHIEVE YOUR

FAMILY BUILDING DREAMS

Dr. Thorntons experience includes 15 years as the Medical Director of the

Columbia University IVF program and nine years as Director of their donor
egg program. He is passionate about helping patients realize their dreams of
family through egg donation and his personalized approach enables him to
provide the best care possible for his patients.

SINCE 1991 WE HAVE HELPED OVER 5,000 FAMILIES

OUR MISSION
CT Fertility strives to provide all patients every available
option for building their family. For the last 25 years we have
been a leader in fertility, and have been widely recognized
throughout Europe and the U.S. as a preeminent fertility center
for advanced reproductive care of infertile couples, singles
and same-sex couples. We take great pride in partnering with,
guiding and empowering our patients to achieve their unique
family building goals.

DR. JOAO DE PINHO

LEAD PHYSICIAN

Dr. De Pinho was born in Portuguese and speaks Spanish,

Portuguese, French and English, as well as some German and Italian.
After graduating from Baylor College of Medicine, he went on to
complete an advanced fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and
Infertility at Columbia University in New York City where he
participated in multiple research projects and authored numerous
publications in Obstetrics, Oncologic Gynecology, Urogynecology
and Reproductive Medicine. Additionally, he authored original works
in the areas of infertility, ethics of egg donor programs, HIV and
reproduction and the development of new egg freezing techniques.

OUR LOCATIONS
Based in a brand-new facility in beautiful Trumbull, CT, just 90
minutes north of New York City, CT Fertility also has offices in
Manhattan. And we are thrilled to announce our expansion into
Europe with a new office in Barcelona, Spain. By expanding our
capacity and presence, we hope to bring new family building
options to patients around the world.

OUR PHYSICIANS
To accommodate our growing patient demand, we are pleased
to welcome two leaders in the field of Reproductive Medicine
to our team.

20

CT Fertility - Connecticut

CT Fertility - Manhattan

CT Fertility - Europe

100 Technology Drive, Suite 210

Trumbull, CT 06611
+1 203-373-1200 (Telephone)
+1 203-365-6516 (Fax)
www.ctfertility.com

110 East 55th Street, 9th Floor

New York, NY 10022
+1 212-754-1200 (Telephone)
+1 212-754-1200 (Fax)
www.ctfertility.com

Ronda de la Universitat, 9 - 6
08007 Barcelona, Spain
+34 931-591-113
www.ctfertility.com

Let our family help create

your family!

Your Family
Building
Resource

Oering compassionate and

cost-conscious guidance to
surrogacy and egg donor
journeys for over 25 years

ivf
surrogacy
egg donation

gayparentstobe.com
844.203.7208

ferlityhelp . com
info@iarc-usa . com
21

CReATing
CELEBRATING
The CReATe Fertility Centre
provides expert, compassionate, and
personalized reproductive healthcare to LGBT couples
embarking on the exciting journey towards creating a
family. For over 15 years, under the directorship of
Dr Clifford Librach and colleagues, the centre has strived
to provide LGBT couples with the best available
reproductive health care services in a world class facility.

YEARS

Clifford Librach MD, FRCS(C) , FACOG (REI), Medical Director

Dr. Ari Baratz, Dr. Karen Glass, Dr. Prati Sharma
Specialists in Assisted Reproduction Technologies,
Known/Anonymous Egg Donation and Gestational Surrogacy.

GAYCITYNEWS.NYC

www.createivf.com
1100-790 Bay St. Toronto, Ontario,
Canada, M5G 1N8
T: 1.416.323.7727 F: 1.416.323.7334
E: pride@createivf.com

TO ADVERTISE, CONTACT AMANDA TARLEY

ADS@GAYCITYNEWS.COM 718-260-8340

22

FROM THE SURROGACY ADVISOR PEER RATINGS DIRECTORY

from www.menhavingbabies.org/ratings as of 10-24-16
Overall
Score

Golden Surrogacy
Creative Family Connections
Worldwide Surrogacy Specialists
NW Surrogacy
IARC
Fertility Miracles
ARTParenting
The Surrogacy Source
Simple Surrogacy
Surrogate Alternatives (SAI)
Circle Surrogacy
Family Source Consultants
Growing Generations
Extraordinary Conceptions
Reproductive Possibilities
Center for Surrogate Parenting (CSP)
All Families Surrogacy
Surro Connections
Canadian Surrogacy Options
Lotus Blossom Consulting
ConceiveAbilities
Tammuz
Lotus Surrogacy
Viva Family

# of
Average
Reviews Journey Cost

Average
Journey
Length
(months)

Web Site

SURROGACY IN UNITED STATES, AGENCIES WITH 10+ REVIEWS

9.91
11
$126,000
17
www.goldensurrogacy.com
9.62
47
$133,000
19
www.creativefamilyconnections.com
9.29
38
$124,000
18
www.assistedreproductionlaw.com
9.24
46
$115,000
18
www.nwsurrogacycenter.com
9.14
28
$108,000
23
www.fertilityhelp.com/
8.91
22
$125,000
17
www.fertilitymiracles.com
8.83
18
$102,000
20
www.artparenting.com
8.8
10
$113,000
15
www.thesurrogacysource.com
8.71
52
$96,000
18
www.simplesurrogacy.com
8.65
20
$125,000
23
www.surrogatealternatives.com
8.14
121
$131,000
19
www.circlesurrogacy.com
8.03
31
$96,000
20
www.familysourcesurrogacy.com
7.58
19
$166,000
21
www.growinggenerations.com
7.55
20
$138,000
18
www.extraconceptions.com
7.15
26
$126,000
21
www.reproductivepossibilities.com
6.45
11
$129,000
20
www.creatingfamilies.com
SURROGACY IN UNITED STATES, AGENCIES WITH LESS THAN 10 REVIEWS
9.5
6
$137,000
15
www.allfamiliessurrogacy.com
9.33
3
$113,000
15
www.surroconnections.com
9
5
$84,000
22
www.canadiansurrogacyoptions.com
9
5
$128,000
23
www.LotusBlossomConsulting.com
8.67
6
$110,000
18
www.conceiveabilities.com
SURROGACY OUTSIDE OF UNITED STATES
9.31
35
$73,000
16
www.tammuz.com
9.19
26
$68,000
15
www.lotussurrogacy.com
9
6
$60,000
20
www.viva-family.com
Overall
Score

Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine

California Fertility Partners
CT Fertility
Fertility center of Las Vegas
Fort Worth Fertility
Fertility & Surgical Associates of CA
La Jolla IVF
Oregon Reproductive Medicine
Fertility Center of IL (FCI)
RMA NJ
HRC Fertilty
Pacific Fertility Center (PFCLA)
New England Fertility (NEF)
aParent IVF
ReproMed
San Diego Fertility Center (SDFC)
Fertility Specialists of Texas
Reproductive Medicine Associates of CT (RMACT)
Center for Assisted Reproduction (CARE Fertility)
Oregon Health & Science U. (OHSU)
Cardone Reproductive
Markham (Canada)

# of
Reviews

First cycle
success

Average
cycles per
journey

CLINICS WITH 10+ REVIEWS

9.76
33
74%
1.5
9.67
12
56%
2.6
9.3
159
76%
1.4
9.29
31
87%
1.3
9.23
22
65%
1.6
9.2
10
80%
1.7
9.17
23
83%
1.3
9.11
55
89%
1.1
9
31
73%
1.5
8.81
16
67%
1.3
8.47
17
75%
1.4
8.21
29
54%
1.7
7.21
14
50%
2.2
CLINICS WITH LESS THAN 10 REVIEWS
10
6
100%
1
9.6
5
60%
1.4
9.57
7
100%
1
9.43
7
100%
1
9.33
6
67%
1.5
9.33
6
83%
1.2
9.2
5
75%
1.5
7.25
4
25%
2.3
5.86
7
43%
2.4

23

Web Site

www.vcrmed.com
www.californiafertilitypartners.com
www.ctfertility.com
www.fertilitycenterlv.com
www.fwivf.com
www.fertilityassociates.com
www.lajollaivf.com
www.oregonreproductivemedicine.com
fcionline.com
www.rmanj.com
www.havingbabies.com
www.pfcla.com.
www.nefertility.com
www.aparentivf.com
www.repromed.ca
www.sdfertility.com
www.fertilitytexas.com
www.rmact.com
www.embryo.net
www.ohsu.edu
www.cardonerepromed.com
www.markhamfertility.com

ABOUT MEN HAVING BABIES

With over 4,500 future and current gay parents worldwide, the international nonprofit Men Having
Babies (MHB) is dedicated to providing its members with educational and financial support. Each year
over a thousand attendees benefit from unbiased guidance and access to a wide range of relevant
service providers at its monthly workshops in NYC and conferences in NYC, Chicago, Brussels, San
Francisco, Dallas and Tel Aviv. The organizations Gay Parenting Assistance Program (GPAP) provides
dozens of couples annually with over a million dollars worth of cash grants, discounts and free services
from over fifty leading service providers. Collaborating with an advisory board made up of surrogates,
MHB developed a Framework for Ethical Surrogacy, which has received endorsements from leading
LGBT parenting organizations worldwide. In addition, MHB offers extensive online resources, a
directory with ratings and reviews of agencies and clinics, a Surrogacy Speakers Bureau, and a vibrant
online community forum.

SURROGACY WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES

MHB offers monthly workshops in NYC, as well as annual conferences in New York, San
Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, Tel Aviv and Brussels. These conferences, which are organized
with the help of prominent LGBT parenting organizations, provide unparalleled opportunities
to get unbiased information, access a wide range of relevant service providers, and connect
with others going through the surrogacy process. Special interest panels for parents,
prospects and professionals include topics such as parenting for HIV+ men, speaking to
your children about surrogacy and gay parenting, testimonies from teenagers born via
surrogacy, and ethical considerations in surrogacy.

THE GAY PARENTING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (GPAP)

The Gay Parenting Assistance Program (GPAP) was created as part of our mission to
make surrogacy services more affordable for gay men. GPAP annually provides dozens
of couples with access to substantial discounts and about $750,000 in cash grants and
free services from about fifty leading service providers. Funds for this program come
from event sponsorship fees and direct donations. Applications for discounts (Stage I) are
accepted on a rolling basis, and candidates for grants (Stage II) are evaluated annually.

THE SURROGACY ADVISOR DIRECTORY

In an effort to promote transparency and affordability, MHB conducts extensive surveys of
hundreds of surrogacy clients. Using the data we receive, we compile exclusive rating tables
with satisfaction levels for various agencies and clinics, as well as success rates, and real
cost figures. This information has already helped many prospective parents save thousands of
dollars by identifying affordable, effective providers. The directory includes a comprehensive
listing of over 100 providers from the USA and beyond with contact information, descriptions
of services, video introductions, and reviews. A universal consultation request form allows our
members to contact dozens of providers in one step.

ADVOCACY AND RESEARCH

Together with our Surrogates Advisory Committee and community partners worldwide, MHB
works to promote a Framework for Ethical Surrogacy that benefit all parties involved. We also
work to raise awareness about surrogacy by assisting academic studies, maintaining the
MHB Surrogacy Forum on Facebook for dads and surrogates, and setting up the first ever
Surrogacy Speakers Bureau.