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LAS VEGAS, May 21, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Did you know that typical US surrogacy agents charge from $20,000 to $30,000 USD?
That fee is often justified because the "Surrogacy Agency" has unique knowledge of finding and managing surrogate mothers on behalf of their clients. But much of the work an Agent performs can just as easily be done by the Intended Parents themselves, says Sensible Surrogacy director, Bill Houghton. This option is called "Independent" (or "Private") surrogacy, and it can be easily managed by Intended Parents with some basic guidance about the process and tasks involved.
Starting this Spring, Sensible Surrogacy consultants will provide all the expertise and insights any LGBT parent needs to manage their own surrogacy program, successfully and securely. By taking on many of an Agency's tasks, families can reduce the cost of a typical surrogacy program by 50%.
"We believe that the new 'Independent' surrogacy option will support up to 10 new LGBT families each month through our consulting service alone," says Houghton. "As other organizations follow our lead, we are hopeful that LGBT families will become a more common aspect of public life in the United States."
Last year, Sensible Surrogacy received almost 400 requests for Gay Surrogacy services from LGBT couples. Of those, only about 20 ultimately entered a surrogacy program. The rest dropped out, and 90% cited the high cost of surrogacy in the United States as the reason.
That's 375 couples who wanted to start their families, but were unable because of the high cost of surrogacy procedures.
BUT WHAT'S WORSE…. Of those 20 desperate couples who continued, many went into programs that were not only dangerous, but potentially life threatening.
Programs in Kenya are particularly popular because it's unregulated – but Kenya is one of the most vehemently anti-gay societies worldwide. Other couples consider illegal services in Ukraine, presenting themselves as in a romantic relationship with their surrogate.
"In the LGBT community, having a family has become a luxury that defines the "haves' from the 'have nots'. But the right to a family should not be about privilege and status, any more than it is about risking one's safety," says Houghton.
The Consulting Agency has agreed to reduce their own fees by 50% to support their LGBT clients. "We're taking a hit to our bottom line because I honestly believe this service is needed, and I can take pride in knowing that I'm helping other couples (like myself and my husband) achieve the happiness that our family has given us."
Sensible Surrogacy is an ethical IVF & surrogacy consultancy and publisher of the Sensible Surrogacy Guide, which is a definitive source covering topics from How Surrogacy Works to Finding a Surrogate Mother. Since 2012 they have advocated for affordable, complete and ethical surrogacy services through their international consultants and a network of medical and legal service providers.
SOURCE Sensible Surrogacy
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That fee is often justified because the "Surrogacy Agency" has unique knowledge of finding and managing surrogate mothers on behalf of their clients. But much of the work an Agent performs can just as easily be done by the Intended Parents themselves, says Sensible Surrogacy director, Bill Houghton. This option is called "Independent" (or "Private") surrogacy, and it can be easily managed by Intended Parents with some basic guidance about the process and tasks involved.
Starting this Spring, Sensible Surrogacy consultants will provide all the expertise and insights any LGBT parent needs to manage their own surrogacy program, successfully and securely. By taking on many of an Agency's tasks, families can reduce the cost of a typical surrogacy program by 50%.
"We believe that the new 'Independent' surrogacy option will support up to 10 new LGBT families each month through our consulting service alone," says Houghton. "As other organizations follow our lead, we are hopeful that LGBT families will become a more common aspect of public life in the United States."
Last year, Sensible Surrogacy received almost 400 requests for Gay Surrogacy services from LGBT couples. Of those, only about 20 ultimately entered a surrogacy program. The rest dropped out, and 90% cited the high cost of surrogacy in the United States as the reason.
That's 375 couples who wanted to start their families, but were unable because of the high cost of surrogacy procedures.
BUT WHAT'S WORSE…. Of those 20 desperate couples who continued, many went into programs that were not only dangerous, but potentially life threatening.
Programs in Kenya are particularly popular because it's unregulated – but Kenya is one of the most vehemently anti-gay societies worldwide. Other couples consider illegal services in Ukraine, presenting themselves as in a romantic relationship with their surrogate.
"In the LGBT community, having a family has become a luxury that defines the "haves' from the 'have nots'. But the right to a family should not be about privilege and status, any more than it is about risking one's safety," says Houghton.
The Consulting Agency has agreed to reduce their own fees by 50% to support their LGBT clients. "We're taking a hit to our bottom line because I honestly believe this service is needed, and I can take pride in knowing that I'm helping other couples (like myself and my husband) achieve the happiness that our family has given us."
Sensible Surrogacy is an ethical IVF & surrogacy consultancy and publisher of the Sensible Surrogacy Guide, which is a definitive source covering topics from How Surrogacy Works to Finding a Surrogate Mother. Since 2012 they have advocated for affordable, complete and ethical surrogacy services through their international consultants and a network of medical and legal service providers.
SOURCE Sensible Surrogacy
