LGBTQ PARENTING RESOURCES
OPTIONS TO PARENTING
IVF/DONOR EGG SURROGACY
In Vitro Fertilization, or IVF, is an option by which an embryo is cre-
ated by combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish. If the egg is
successfully fertilized, it is transferred to a surrogate’s uterus. The egg
can be the surrogate’s own or the egg of another woman, in which case
the surrogate is called a gestational carrier.
STORY TIME WITH MARIA
2nd Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. at Q Center, 4115 N Mississippi Ave.
Live reading for children age 0-5 years and their families. Librarian
Maria Lowe reads stories and adapts songs and movement activities for
the ages and attention spans of the children attending. pdxqcenter.org/
ongoing-events/storytime-with-maria/
DONOR SPERM
Couples may receive donated sperm through fertility clinics. Donors
are screened for certain diseases and genetic disorders.
LGBTQ ADOPTIVE PARENT SUPPORT GROUP
3rd Tuesdays, 6 p.m. at Q Center, 4115 N Mississippi Ave
Adoption Mosaic hosts a free monthly parenting support group. This
group is open to prospective and current LGBTQ adoptive parents. The
group offers the support, information and tools necessary to nurture
healthy LGBTQ families. Contact astrid@adoptionmosaic.org or visit
adoptionmosaic.org.
ADOPTION
Same-sex couples can legally adopt in Oregon, and if the couple is regis-
tered as a domestic partnership, the couple can adopt jointly. Adoption
is a lifelong commitment. Most adoptive children are school-aged and
have special needs related to abuse or neglect they’ve experienced.
SURROGACY
FOSTERING
Children whose families cannot provide for them are sometimes placed
in foster care through the Department of Human Services. Foster care
situations are temporary but can become long term or lead to adoption.
People of any sexual orientation can be foster parents.
NW SURROGACY
One of the leading surrogacy centers working with LGBT community
members is right here in Portland. nwsurrogacycenter.com
CO-PARENTING
Co-parenting is typically an arrangement between a gay man and a
lesbian woman who team up to parent a child together, often while not
living in the same home. The term is also used to describe the relation-
ship between two separated or divorced parents attempting to raise a
child.
OREGON REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE
A leader for LGBT parents starting or growing their families, ORM
welcomes gay patients from around the world. IUI/IVF & DE/IVF.
OregonReproductiveMedicine.com
PARENTING GROUPS and RESOURCES
DADDIES & PAPAS
3rd Saturdays, 10 a.m. at Q Center, 4115 N Mississippi Ave
Daddies and Papas is a group for gay, bisexual and transgender men
raising young children. Topics range from the best way to deal with
biting to what to say when schoolmates tease children about having two
fathers. info@daddiesandpapas.net
PLOP
Parenting/Pregnant Lesbians of Portland is a group of lesbian moms
and their families that gathers monthly. The group aims to provide a
place where families can get support on issues unique to lesbian par-
ents. The group is also a resource for lesbian couples who are thinking
about having a child. ploppdx.wordpress.com or
plop.admin@gmail.com
QPoP
4th Saturdays, 10 a.m. at Q Center, 4115 N Mississippi Ave
Queer Parents of Portland is for all queer parents no matter the gender
or family structure. This group embraces transgender parents, polyam-
orous parents and single parents, among others. Children are welcome.
QPoP has a group on Facebook.
QUIP
Queers United In Parenting PDX is a web-based Google group for queer
parents. It’s billed as “an open forum for queers of all stripes from Hip
Mamas to TransParents to Rad Dads to discuss queer parenting issues,
exchange stories, resources, and encouragement, and arrange meet-ups
and gatherings.” Find it on Google Groups.
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE
ADOPTION/FOSTERCARE
OPEN ADOPTION & FAMILY SERVIES (OAFS)
No other adoption agency in the country places more infants with gay
and lesbian parents than OAFS. openadopt.org
NORTHWEST ADOPTION EXCHANGE
No better way to connect families with waiting foster children in the
Northwest. nwae.org
STATE OF OREGON FOSTER CARE
There is always a need for quality foster parents. Thousands of children
await good homes. oregon.gov/DHS/children/fostercare
ADOPTION NORTHWEST
Founded by the same attorney who founded OAFS, they work with gay
and lesbian clients from around the country in adoption.
adoptionnorthwest.com
ATTORNEYS
REDDEN & FINDLING LLP
This firm is skilled in adoption facilitiation and legal work and LGBT
supporters. reddenfindling.com
DISCLAIMER:
The information provided here is purely for education and is not intend-
ed as a recommendation for adults or children. Parents and those think-
ing of parenting should seek out trusted resources, including personal
and professional referral sources, before proceeding.