Pride Angel nominated Family Provider/Initiative of the Year

We're delighted to have been nominated for this year’s 'G3 Readers awards 2013'. Introducing the Awards, G3 says: “The Awards are designed to showcase those individuals and organisations who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the LGBT community. We believe that those who go the extra mile to ensure equality of opportunity and fair treatment for all, deserve to be recognised.” Pride Angel has been short listed within the category of 'Family Provider/Initiative of the Year’ The shortlisted nominations include: - Pride Angel - London Women’s Clinic - L Group Families - PACT - Natalie Gamble Associates Vote for Pride Angel for being gay owned and run and for our contribution to the LGBT community helping create hundreds of LGBT families with pride! ....and just for voting for your favourite nominations you will be entered into a FREE DRAW for a chance to win tickets to the event. We would love for you to show your support by voting for Pride Angel. It will only take a minute, just click on the link below now to vote: www.outg3awards.co.uk Nominations for all categories were short-listed based on their ability to be gay friendly and their contribution to the LGBT community. Article: 14th January 2013 Pride Angel

Artist Grayson Perry to paint portraits of modern alternative families

Joe Evans an arts documentary producer is currently working with the Turner-prize winning artist Grayson Perry on a new series about portraiture for Channel 4. For this series, Grayson wants to capture the truth about modern British identity by doing a series of portraits of people whose stories tell us something important about whom we are now. To make the portraits, Grayson will spend time with his subjects, talking in detail about their lives, and really trying to understand who they are. The portraits Grayson makes will form part of an exhibition which we hope will tour several major art galleries around Britain. Joe is seeking to contact couples or individuals embarking on the search for an egg or sperm donor, and who ultimately would like co-parent with the donor. If you are about to embark on this journey, are interested in this project, and feel comfortable discussing the possibility of us documenting your experiences for TV, then please do email joeevans@senecaproductions.com or contact us at Pride Angel for more information. If you would like to watch the last series we made with Grayson Perry for Channel 4, it is available to view here: www.channel4.com Article: 11th November 2012 Joe Evans

Going to the Alternative Parenting Show?

Zodiak Media and RDF Television (the producers of Secret Millionaire) are looking for people to interview about their experiences of co-parenting at the Alternative Parenting Show. Saturday 15th September Grand Connaught Room Covent Garden 9:30am-5:30pm My name is Simon and I’m currently researching and developing a brand new television programme based around the concept of co-parenting for a major terrestrial broadcaster. We’re in the very early stages of development but would really like to speak to anyone who is considering or is in the process of becoming a co-parent. We’d love to speak to you on camera about your experiences, and the footage that we shoot will be used for internal pitching purposes only and will not be broadcast on television – so, no need to be shy! It will just be a relaxed 20 minute chat about your experiences, plans, and hopes for the future. We hope that the programme will help raise awareness and educate people about co-parenting and alternative forms of parenting. We’re really passionate about this project and would love to meet some of you at the Alternative Parenting Show on the 15th of September to talk further. If you’re interested in getting involved or would like to know more, then please just drop me a line at: simon.crossley@zodiakmedia.com or contact Pride Angel for more information. Article: 11th September 2012 by Simon at Zodiak Media and RDF Television

Daily Mirror looking to speak to co-parenting families

The Daily Mirror's Your Life Section is looking for families with a unique co-parenting set up that would be interested in being interviewed for a feature on this subject. They are looking to run three separate stories which will give an insight into the decision making background to your alternative co-parenting arrangements and also how it works at the moment. The Daily Mail are looking to hear from a variety of different parents, from a woman who decided she wanted to have children but not the relationship, to a dad who prefers to be involved in a lighter way in parent-hood. Their aim is to do a feature that is insightful and informative about modern family arrangements. Any case studies would need to be named and pictured. More more information please contact us at info@prideangel.com

Daily Mail looking to speak to co-parenting families

The Daily Mirror's Your Life Section is looking for families with a unique co-parenting set up that would be interested in being interviewed for a feature on this subject. They are looking to run three separate stories which will give an insight into the decision making background to your alternative co-parenting arrangements and also how it works at the moment. The Daily Mail are looking to hear from a variety of different parents, from a woman who decided she wanted to have children but not the relationship, to a dad who prefers to be involved in a lighter way in parent-hood. Their aim is to do a feature that is insightful and informative about modern family arrangements. Any case studies would need to be named and pictured. More more information please contact us at info@prideangel.com Article: 15th August Pride Angel

Times magazine to do a new feature on fatherhood, can you help?

The Times Magazine is planning a big feature on the new faces of fatherhood and really wants to get in touch with men who have been known donors - possibly for friends or for a couple/person they have met online - or who are co-parenting in some way. The idea is to celebrate alternative ideas of fatherhood and what constitutes a modern family, and to explore how individuals make it work for them. We are looking for six men who have been known donors, perhaps with varying degrees of contact with the child (from none to sporadic, right up to daily) who are happy to be interviewed (phone is fine if preferred) and to attend a photoshoot at a date convenient for them (travel expenses paid if applicable; children won't be photographed). We'd be guided by them about what they are most happy to talk about, but topics covered might include: why they decided to be a known donor, how long had they known the couple/person, did they have a written agreement, what are the positives for them - are they what they expected, what kind of relationship do they have with the child and with the mother/parents, has the experience changed them, what advice would they have for others planning something similar. It's a great opportunity to inform a wide readership of the positives of alternative families, and we're really hoping people out there will agree and contact us. Many thanks for your time and best wishes to all. If you think you can help, then please contact us at Pride Angel and we will give you more information.

Guide to starting a family as a single dad

For single prospective dads, the decision between surrogacy, adoption and co-parenting is a tough one, with each option having its own benefits and pitfalls. First, ask yourself the question – what role do I want to have in my child’s life? To go it on your own or share the journey? If you want to go it on your own, surrogacy or adoption are undoubtedly the best choices. If you want a shared role, co-parenting could be ideal. UK law is not geared up to cater for all single would-be parents. For men, building your own biological family through surrogacy is difficult, given the need to find a woman to carry your child and the fact that the law may not operate in your favour. The law is more supportive on adoption, but forming a non-biological family requires patience and determination. Surrogacy – establishing a surrogacy arrangement as a single parent is difficult. As intended (biological) parents are not treated as their child’s legal parents automatically, parents through surrogacy need to go through a specific legal process to achieve this status. This particular process, though, is only available to couples, effectively denying single parents the legal solution available to everyone else. Our previous government’s rationale for this (despite our attempts to persuade them otherwise) was that surrogacy is such a serious undertaking, only couples should be eligible. This has the knock-on effect of making it almost impossible to join one of the UK’s surrogacy organisations as a single dad, since their first question to applicant members is whether they can resolve their status after birth. This essentially ousts all single parents. So, finding a surrogate is challenging. Some single dads find a willing volunteer among their friends and family. Others go abroad, where the same restrictions don’t apply locally. This undoubtedly overcomes the initial hurdle of getting things off the ground, but it only gets you half way there. The anomaly in the law on surrogacy means that once your baby is born, the surrogate will automatically be treated as the legal mother. You will only be treated as the legal father if the surrogate is unmarried and even then, you are unlikely to have full parental status in the UK. If born abroad, your child may not be British. There are various options for fully securing your legal status, and/or extinguishing that of your surrogate, but the law is complex and remains largely untested. Co-parenting can be an effective way for single dads to have a family and share the load. But, it is naturally complicated, not in the set-up, but by virtue of the distinct influences each co-parent will have on your child. The best arrangements are built on a strong foundation of openness and matched expectations – the primary cause of co-parenting turning sour is a lack of communication at the outset. The logistics of pregnancy, childbirth and breast feeding will, in the majority of arrangements, mean that your baby will live primarily with the birth mum (and her partner). It is important that this doesn’t lead to resentment. The courts are beginning to show an appetite for recognising co-parent fathers in situations where things have gone wrong. The law remains muddled though and there are still improvements to be made. Your legal status (and security) will depend on the circumstances of the birth mum, and whether she is in a relationship. Co-parenting arrangements often involve more than two parents but the law only recognises a child as having a maximum of two parents. This means that the law can override your status as a legal father, instead giving the status as ‘second parent’ to the birth mum’s partner Adoption is another way of creating a family, with children much in need of a loving parent. This is a different experience to conceiving a family, with the inherent need to engage with the authorities before you can be matched with your child, the non-biological relationship you will have and the fact that your child may have particular needs and be older. The law is much more up to date with respect to single parents hoping to adopt. Like everyone else, you will need to go through a rigorous assessment process and additionally be able to show that you are the whole package in one, in terms of meeting the needs of a child. Adoption is possible for you within the UK and abroad, although you will need to ensure that the laws in your destination country are compatible. In advance of your match you will need to be approved as a prospective adopter. The process usually takes 6-8 months and involves attending preparation groups and working with a social worker who will perform background checks, seek references and do home visits before preparing a detailed prospective adopter’s report which will be presented to an adoption panel for their consideration. If successful, you will then begin the matching process either within the UK or abroad. So there are now more choices than ever for single dads to build their own families with or without sharing the responsibilities. It may not be straightforward but it is by no means impossible. Read more information about surrogacy for single dads, co-parenting as a father, adoption and other parenting options.

Birth mother vs non-birth mother - lesbian family breakdowns

The news has recently highlighted a number of high profile cases involving disputes within lesbian families and alternative family structures. Primarily these concern fathers or known donors seeking more of a relationship with their child than they originally wished for. However, another interesting and sadly increasing area we are witnessing is the breakdown of relationships in two-mother lesbian parent families. As with any relationship breakdown, issues to be dealt with include division of the finances, any civil partnership dissolution and with whom any children will live (as well as contact with the non-resident parent). But these types of divorce cases have a more complex dynamic, with difficult legal and social questions arising from the mismatched biological (and often legal) status of the two female parents. To date there has been very little judicial guidance as to how much weight the family court will place on the importance of being a birth mother in divorce proceedings, and whether in such cases the birth history and biological link should be considered more important than the relationship between the non-birth mother and the child. Of course every case is unique, but the two main cases so far where the court has considered and explored these issues in principle make for very interesting reading. The first case was that of Re G [2006] UKHL 43 which involved a difficult dispute about where the children conceived by a lesbian couple through artificial insemination should live following their separation. The High Court and Court of Appeal ruled that the non-birth mother should have primary care of the two children (mainly because the birth mother had behaved badly and removed the children to Cornwall deliberately to obstruct her former partner’s relationship with the children). However, in a landmark judgment the House of Lords ruled that the lower courts had not given sufficient weight to the fact that the birth mother was the biological mother of the children and ordered that the children should continue to live with her. The House of Lords expressly stated that the lower courts had placed too much weight on the behaviour of the birth mother and not enough on the biological basis of her relationship. This was a ‘significant consideration which was of importance’. Being the birth mother is, it seems, significant. The more recent case of T v B [2010] EWHC 1444 (Fam) involved a lesbian couple who were not civil partners but had lived together for many years and had undergone fertility treatment to conceive a child together. Once the child was born they both undertook the role of parents. Although the law at the time did not recognise the non-birth mother as a legal parent, she sought – and was given by the court – parental responsibility, which meant she had full legal authority to take decisions as a parent and to be involved in her child’s care. Following separation the birth mother applied to the courts for financial provision from the non-birth mother. The court ruled that as the non-birth mother was not a legal parent she had no financial obligation despite the fact that she had to all intents and purposes been a ‘parent’ to them from the very start. The court was somewhat constrained by the wording of the law (and its frustration was evident) but it was clear in this case that whether you were a birth mother or not was deeply significant. When the court are considering cases involving disputes about care arrangements for children, the court has a range of factors it has to take into consideration. These include: the child’s age, sex and background; their physical, emotional, educational needs; the effect of any change in circumstances; their ascertainable wishes and feelings; any harm the child has suffered or is at risk of suffering and how capable each parent is in meeting the child’s needs. The welfare of the child will be the court’s paramount consideration and any decision made by the court will be based on what the court considers to be in the child’s best interests. In practice this gives a lot of flexibility, although it is clear that the court is inclined to place weight on the importance of the biological link with the birth mother. In relation to child maintenance questions, this bias is more institutional, with clear legal rules which make only legal parents (and their spouses) financially responsible. On 6 April 2009 the law in the UK changed to allow two mothers to be named on the birth certificate, recognising them both as the legal parents and giving them both financial responsibility for their children. It is notable that both of the birth mother vs non-birth mother cases have involved children born before this legal change. Whether or not the new law will give greater weight to the non-birth mother’s position waits to be seen (although this will certainly be the case in relation to financial questions). Things are likely to be muddied further by the increasing blurring of the lines between birth and biological parenthood for lesbian couples. We are certainly seeing more egg swapping cases, where an egg has been taken from the non birth mother, fertilised and then transferred to the birth mother. Where parents in these situations separate, will the birth mother or the biological mother be the one with the upper hand? Same-sex divorces are undoubtedly legally complex where children are involved. In a dispute over a child within an alternative family structure, an argument often run is the importance of the biological link, and the genetic identity of the child. With changes to the law and even more complex family structures emerging, it will be interesting to see how the court responds.

Considering fertility and parenting options? we want to hear from you

A TV production company ‘Garden Productions’, have approached us, as they are in the process of making a new groundbreaking documentary series for Channel 4. The series is concentrating on people who are about to make a very significant life-changing decision and they are keen to explore the area of fertility and parenting within the series. As part of their research they would very much like to reach out to couples and individuals who are thinking about starting a family through sperm donation, IVF or egg sharing, but are still at a point where they are not entirely sure if they want to proceed and may be exploring other methods as well. At this stage they keen to reach out to couples (both same sex and heterosexual) and single people who are still deciding and are yet to take the first steps. Samantha from Garden Productions thought that Pride Angel would be a good place to let people know about her research. Samantha would be really happy to speak with any interested people in more detail about the project and about how the programme works, all of which will be in confidence. There is no obligation to take the process any further once you have spoken with Samantha, so please feel free to contact us at Pride Angel for more information or with any questions. Finally, a note about ‘Garden Productions’. They produces a wide range of interesting, sensitive television programmes including Channel 4's ‘24 Hours In A&E’ and they’re really excited about this new groundbreaking project for Channel 4.

Are you co-parenting or looking to co-parent? we want to hear your story

An Emmy award winning production company is interested to hear true life testimonials from people who are currently in a co-parenting relationship or are looking to start a co-parenting relationship.
For research purposes, our company is looking for insight into the reasons why people co-parent and the journey's people go through during the process in efforts to understand something that is just now emerging in the culture in a more public way.

Our company has experience researching and producing documentaries about complex social subjects such as the american hunger epidemic, bullying in schools and many others.

With your help, we hope to gather enough information about the co-parenting world to hopefully be able to develop awareness around the topic.

If you are willing to share your story, we would love to listen!

Thank you!

US production company looking to speak with co-parenting families

An Emmy Award-winning production company is looking for people who established unique and interesting co-parenting situations to build their family. We are looking for non-traditional pairs of people raising a child/children together.
They are NOT currently looking for divorced couples who are “co-parenting.”*

The production company are looking for individuals or couples such as:

- single, platonic friends who decide to have and raise a child together; could be gay, straight, whatever
- single parents who decide to team up with another single parent to cooperatively raise their kids and support family life
- any unique parenting situation outside of the “norm”
- Looking for families and friends to share their stories to show how the idea of family can be fulfilled in so many ways


We’d also like to hear from you if you know anyone that fits above description; we want to know what’s going on out there!

If you are interested in helping or just want more information please contact us at Pride Angel, alternatively email info@prideangel.com

Charlie Condou | Two dads, one mum - one family

One of the great things about my family is that, instead of the usual two parents, Georgia (and baby-to-be) have three. That's three pairs of hands to share the load and, especially given that we're all flexibly self-employed and close friends, it means that life runs pretty smoothly most of the time.
Last month, for example, we decided to make the most of the sudden burst of late-summer weather, as well as the fact that I had a bit of time off from Coronation Street, and all head down to the country for the week. Georgia loved having all her parents (and one set of grandparents) around, and the three of us enjoyed chilling together and spoiling her, making the most of these last few months of "her-only childhood".

Last week I found myself in the highly unusual position of being a single parent. Cam had gone back to Canada for his mum and dad's 50th wedding anniversary, while Catherine had a number of work things to deal with. She's also entering the third trimester of pregnancy, and is at the stage where she tires easily, particularly as an older mother-to-be, so I took Georgia home with me for three days.

Aside from the obvious lone-parenting issues – plonking your child in front of Peppa Pig while you go to the loo with the door open, for example – the biggest difference was being able to create our own timetable.

I didn't have to meet Catherine or Cam for hand-overs or meal times, so Georgia and I could pootle through the day at our own pace, going wherever the mood took us. Because, of course, the down side of three parents is that there are three people's schedules and needs to consider. So, for those few days, much as I love Catherine, much as I miss Cam, having Georgia all to myself was a rare treat.

Yes, I know how spoilt that sounds. I'm sure there are countless single parents reading this and rolling their eyes. I have plenty of friends who really are bring up children alone, so I'm well aware that the reality of single parenting, day in, day out, is that it can be stressful, exhausting and lonely.

The time alone with my daughter felt like a luxury precisely because I don't have to do it all the time. I don't have to struggle out of bed seven days a week, regardless of how I feel, I don't have to juggle work and childcare and shopping and cooking, while trying to cling to the vestiges of a social life. I have it easy and so, when I do get Georgia to myself, I make the most of it. In fact, I wallow in it – playing and snuggling and enjoying every minute of her two-year-old cuteness. The fact that I also have to spend so much time away in Manchester filming the TV show only serves to make time alone with Georgia feel even more like a luxury.

I wonder again how I'll manage to love the new baby with the same ferocity with which I love Georgia. Even though I know rationally that I will, and everyone tells me "babies bring their own love", it still seems unfathomable.

Before Georgia was born, I had a clear picture of what fatherhood would be like, but this time, when I try to think ahead to being a father of two, my imagination fails, and I struggle to see it emotionally or practically. I am excited about the new baby, but I'm apprehensive, too.

Right now, fatherhood feels so perfect that the thought of any change makes me nervous. Then I think about holding my son in my arms, and I know it's going to work out fine.

Article: 29th October 2011 www.guardian.co.uk

Read more about gay and lesbian families at Pride Angel

Gay Family Case Study – Can you help?

The Independent newspaper are doing feature about same-sex parents and would love to speak to lesbian or gay couples who are bringing up children together.
It would be very straightforward - about what it's like at the school gates, other people's perceptions, whether attitudes are changing and also simple practical issues. It would be for a phone interview which could be done anonymously if you prefer.

If you can help at all please email: info@prideangel.com or alternatively contact us at Pride Angel for further information.

The piece is tied to a new newspaper that is coming out called Pink Parenting.

With modern life comes the modern family as many gay and lesbian couples seek to fulfill their biological needs of having a family. Pink Parenting is here to do just that.

Bringing you everything you need to start a family from surrogacy options, adoption and the legal aspects of being a modern family to what's the best stroller out there on the market.

Find out more about Pink Parenting magazine just visit: www.pink-parenting.com

For more information about sperm donation, using a known donor and gay parenting visit www.prideangel.com

BBC1 new documentary; looking for gay and lesbian families

Off The Fence Productions are developing a new documentary for BBC1 which will feature in a series of programmes looking at Modern Britain and the changing landscape of what a typical family looks like today.
They are specifically looking to find a gay or lesbian parent family who would be willing to share their story and experiences in the form of a one hour documentary.

In particular they are looking for families who already have children and could give an added insight into family life and what it is like growing up with gay/lesbian parents.

The programme would be an overarching look at modern families, however they would need to follow a family event taking place over the next 12 months.

This could be anything from trying for/adopting another baby to a christening, a marriage, starting a business, an extended family holiday, prom, etc.

To read more go to http://bit.ly/jP3jHx

Gay and lesbian parenting research - can you help?

Would you like to take part in some cutting edge, exciting new research?

Emilie Garvey, an undergraduate Sociology student at Newcastle University, is interested in hearing from lesbian and gay individuals and couples to take part in an exciting project in a new and expanding area of research: Assisted Reproduction and the Alternative Family. The aim of the study is to explore the experiences of same-sex couples in their decision-making processes involved in starting a family of their own with the aid of assisted reproduction technologies. The study also welcomes participation from gay and lesbian individuals who might start a family in the future or who simply would like to offer an opinion or point of view for the research.

Why is the study being done?

Recent changes in legislation have widened the options available for same-sex couples who wish to start a family. Media portrayals of celebrity couples undergoing such processes have also recently increased public awareness of the decision making process, the social stigma that such couples might have to face and have offered a chance to ‘look inside’ the ‘Alternative Family’. This study, however, aims to research the decision making processes involved prior to, and throughout, the process. The researcher also hopes gain an in depth understanding of the obstacles and hurdles which affect same-sex couples in the UK who wish to have a family of their own.

Am I eligible to take part?

If you are a lesbian woman or gay man, single, in a relationship or in a civil partnership, who have experience of assisted reproduction in starting a family, or who would simply like to offer the researcher an opinion on the issues involved, you are eligible to take part in this study.

To read more go to http://bit.ly/hlKLTU

Becoming a parent for the gay community 'The Alternative Families Show'

The first ever event aiming to demystify the process of becoming a parent for the gay community and single people, ‘The Alternative Families Show’ was held yesterday, Saturday 23rd October 2010, within the Grand Connaught rooms, London. The show was organised by Littlepink, social network and Square Peg Media, in partnership with Stonewall, the gay, lesbian and bisexual charity. Square Peg Media is the publisher of G3 magazine, Out in the City magazine and Proud magazine.
The organisers said ‘We are really pleased with the response we have had, with over a thousand people attending. It has been a huge success and is something we will definitely be continuing to run next year’

The event brought expert advisors together from fertility clinics, adoption and fostering agencies to co-parenting websites to include Pride Angel which is now the leading connection service for gay, lesbian, single and infertile couples wishing to find known sperm donors and co-parents.

Pride Angel said ‘It was fantastic to hear all the positive comments about our service. Many lesbian women really liked the idea of having a ‘dad’ involved in their children’s lives. Many gay couples who had previously believed that surrogacy or adoption was the only method of starting a family, where extremely interested in potential co-parenting arrangements‘.

The show also ran several seminars throughout the day giving advice about fostering and adoption, using a known sperm donor, the legal side of co-parenting, using nutrition to boost fertility and help prevent miscarriage, surrogacy – the law and choosing surrogacy abroad. Stonewall presented a seminar regarding children from different families, about gay families and schools. Lastly but not least, Littlepink, a network for same sex parents and children spoke about the importance of support networks and the value behind a community.

For more information about parenting options for lesbian, gay, single and infertile couple visit www.prideangel.com

To read more go to http://bit.ly/9hJgYG

Alternative Families Show 2010

Demystifying the Process of Becoming a Parent for the Gay Community and Single People

Saturday 23rd October 2010 from 10am to 5pm

GRAND CONNAUGHT ROOMS, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON

• Thinking of becoming a parent?
• Want to understand the options available to you?
• Are you considering IVF, adoption or surrogacy?
• Want to understand your rights as a parent?
• Need help deciding on known or anonymous donors?
• Want to find support networks for same-sex parents?

The alternative families show brings together all the information you need to make informed choices on parenthood. From conception, adoption, legal rights, to support networks the show will give you access to information from top UK advisors in their field. A one-stop shop for the lesbian and gay community, this is your opportunity to get some real facts surrounding same-sex parenting. For single people we present the options to becoming a parent.

Pride Angel will be attending the Alternative Families Show where they will be happy to answer any questions relating to donor conception and co-parenting.

Pride Angel is the leading worldwide connection site, fertility forum and blog for lesbian, gay, single and infertile couples, wishing to become parents through co-parenting and donor conception. Specialising in health screening advice, fertility law support, along with artificial insemination and fertility products available to purchase. Registration is free at www.prideangel.com

Tickets to the show cost £5 and can be purchased on the alternative families show website.

To read more go to http://bit.ly/dm2koV