Challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ Community

The challenges faced by LGBTQ+ families are historically undeniable and are still present in the fertility world.

• External factors, from discriminatory attitudes and policies in medical services and legislation, prevent these families from “completing” themselves like any other family. An already difficult journey – filled with anxiety, frustration, feeling lost, and oscillating between acceptance and fighting – becomes heavier upon such stressors.
• Internal factors also play a role. Coping skills and style, attachment style, previous experiences of loss or miscarriage, perceived external pressures to have or not to have a baby (the latter being more common amongst discriminatory beliefs against LGBTQ+ individuals), and financial resources influence couples’ adjustment to infertility.

Supporting factors for LGBTQ+ parents include the willingness to create socially recognized families and accessible services where they are treated with dignity.

This requires:

• Gender-role-neutral communication
• Openness to non-traditional families
• The provision of a clear sense of security for parents…

…all of which can be promoted by the dissemination of proper educational information.

Myths about LGBTQ+ parenthood

1) Let’s start with the removal of homosexual orientation from the list of mental health disorders.

People may desire to become parents to deepen and/or celebrate their partnership through co-creation. As relationships grow, for some, having a child feels like a fundamental part of that growth. Having a child, then, becomes a commitment that bonds two people to each other as partners, not just to the child as parents.

2) A second myth is that children raised by non-heteronormative parents will suffer psychological issues and possibly be LGBTQ+.

People may also pursue parenthood simply for enjoyment, pleasure, enrichment…

Having a child and developing a parental role can be a fun part of life. Focusing on the positive aspects one expects to experience as a parent is a healthy and happy experience for couples (but do not forget that parenthood is a life-long, demanding, and challenging role).

Assisted reproductive techniques for LGBTQ+ people

The idiosyncrasies of every couple, LGBTQ+ or heteronormative, must be respected, and professionals cannot assume people will fulfil certain roles with a previous conversation screening for them.

A lesbian couple may use the ROPA method or reciprocal IVF. In case of egg quality problems, these couples could go for an egg or embryo donor. In case of a condition that affects the uterus, they could use a surrogate. These options depend on the legislation implemented in each country.

A gay couple may use an egg donor and surrogate. Normally, the egg donor is not the same person as the surrogate. In case both men have compromised sperm quality, they could go for a sperm or embryo donor.

For transgender people, options depend on whether any surgery was performed and/or medication was taken to transition, and on whether the person has preserved their fertility beforehand.

Reasons for desiring parenthood can be heavily linked to social expectations and pressures, such as equating parenthood to achieving status, going through a rite of passage to adulthood, and/or being fundamentally feminine (getting pregnant) or masculine (impregnating). These matters and people’s beliefs about them may be very deeply rooted in their sense of self and community as well as impact their well-being greatly.

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References

Batool, S., & Rowland, D. L. (2021). The critical role of coping strategies in moderating loneliness and quality of life: Parallel and unique processes among transgender and heterosexual cisgender people in pakistan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(17), 9109. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18179109

Fitzgibbons, R. P. (2015). Growing up with gay parents: What is the big deal?*. The Linacre Quarterly, 82(4), 332–336. https://doi.org/10.1179/0024363915Z.000000000120

Kerppola, J., Halme, N., Perälä, M.-L., & Maija-Pietilä, A. (2020). Empowering LGBTQ parents: How to improve maternity services and child healthcare settings for this community – ‘She told us that we are good as a family’. Nordic Journal of Nursing Research, 40(1), 41–51. https://doi.org/10.1177/2057158519865844

Kirubarajan, A., Patel, P., Leung, S., Park, B., & Sierra, S. (2021). Cultural competence in fertility care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people: A systematic review of patient and provider perspectives. In Fertility and Sterility. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.12.002

Lesbian and gay parenting: Theoretical and conceptual examinations. (n.d.). Https://Www.Apa.Org. Retrieved 22 July 2024, from https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/parenting

Levitt, H. M., Schuyler, S. W., Chickerella, R., Elber, A., White, L., Troeger, R. L., Karter, J. M., Preston, J. M., & Collins, K. M. (2020). How discrimination in adoptive, foster, and medical systems harms LGBTQ+ families: Research on the experiences of prospective parents. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 32(3), 261–282. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538720.2020.1728461

Lgbtq+ fertility treatment options | aspire fertility^TM. (n.d.). Aspire Fertility. Retrieved 22 July 2024, from https://www.aspirefertility.com/fertility-treatment/gay-parenting

Montoya, M. N., Peipert, B. J., Whicker, D., & Gray, B. (2021). Reproductive considerations for the lgbtq+ community. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice, 48(2), 283–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pop.2021.02.010