5 Inspirational Quotes and Stories about IVF and Surrogacy
I have been writing about IVF and surrogacy for almost a year, and the process has left me even more inspired than when my husband and I first decided on this as our path to fatherhood.
For this article, I wanted to share some of the most inspirational quotes and stories that I have read about assisted reproduction from intended parents (IPs), gestational carriers (GCs), and others involved with this incredible process.
“They wanted somebody they felt really, really close to,” Hilliard said, “Which was the exact relationship I wanted with my intended parents… I see them as, like, uncles now. I can go to them and talk to them, and we FaceTime… It’s an amazing relationship.” (1)
Zarah Hilliard with Randall Thomas and Daryl Garcia
This quote is from Zarah Hilliard, who was the GC for a queer couple, Randall Thomas and Daryl Garcia, in Colorado.
This quote and story embody the future vision of BabyMoon Family. I previously wrote about how BabyMoon Family could evolve into a LGBTQ+ reproductive center, where queer people support queer people in family formation (https://www.babymoonfamily.com/original-articles/babymoon-family-vision).
Zarah, Randall, and Daryl have lived this vision. Zarah, a queer woman, specifically chose Randall and Daryl because they were also queer. She understood the challenges of having her own child in a same-sex relationship, and so she wanted to support others in a similar situation.
Also, the three of them wanted a close connection and profound relationship. This is what my husband and I also hope to have with our GC, and what I hope for everyone who embarks on a journey via surrogacy.
Zarah had always dreamed of being a GC, as she likened them to ‘superheroes.’ I couldn't agree more, and this story of queer family formation is one of my favorites from last year.
“How did you get it?” (2)
Wives Jasmin and Lauren on TikTok sharing the news with Lauren’s grandmother
This quotation shows that education around IVF and surrogacy is important, but that love and support from friends and family will often follow.
Jasmin and Lauren are queer women who shared telling their grandmother about their pregnancy via IVF on TikTok.
The news required giving grandma some background on the science of assisted reproductive technology (ART), but after a brief lesson, she was overcome with joy, happiness, and love for her granddaughters and soon to be great grandchild.
It’s amazing how far science has come in less than a lifetime, and I am excited to see what the future holds for ART and helping everyone grow their families.
'I can't imagine my life without Dan and Tyson.' (3)
Beth Williams with Daniel and Tyson Culhane-Smith
The story of Beth, Daniel, and Tyson is another inspirational journey of a GC and a queer couple who formed a lifelong bond.
The three initially met through a Facebook group for Australian surrogacy. However, they didn’t just dive into a journey. They spent six months going on ‘dates,’ getting to know each other, and even helping each other move houses.
As they were about to begin their journey, COVID lockdown commenced in Australia. However, they preserved and navigated the pregnancy through the pandemic.
Today, they are still exceedingly close and remain in each others’ lives as ‘chosen family.’
“That photo has been used many times for educational and positive reasons, but using our image for hate and negativity is something we never wanted.” (4)
BJ Barone and Frankie Nelson welcoming their son Milo
In the last year, Meloni’s right wing, conservative government in Italy has campaigned to break up rainbow families and is working to pass legislation to make international surrogacy illegal for all Italians.
This is an extremely concerning story that I have covered in more detail previously (https://www.babymoonfamily.com/original-articles/italy-attacks-surrogacy-rainbow-families).
The conservative propaganda machine from the Italian government decided to use a photo of BJ Barone and Frankie Nelson with their newborn son, Milo, from 2014 in its anti-surrogacy campaign, without the consent of BJ or Frankie.
So, the queer couple took the Italian government to court, and almost a decade after the birth of their son, they won the case!
This is a story of triumph of love over hate. The family’s beautiful photo can now be celebrated even more as a visual representation of rainbow families and the fight for queer parental rights all over the world.
'Princess Carina & Prince Gustav are very happy & grateful for this opportunity & thank everyone involved who has helped to find a legally legal path to follow.' (5)
The Danish Royal Family with Princess Carina & Prince Gustav’s first child, also born via surrogacy in the US
There are few institutions that are more conservative and less open to change than European monarchies.
However, the Danish Royal family stands out as an exception with regard to ART.
Earlier this year, Danish Princess Carina and Prince Gustav welcomed their second child via surrogacy in the US.
As an American living in Sweden, I found this story inspirational. If a Scandinavian Royal Family can be open and honest about their journey via IVF and surrogacy, then there is hope for legislative reforms for everyone living in these countries.
This proved to be the case in Denmark, where the government recently announced a streamlined approach to international surrogacy, launching in 2025, which I previously wrote about (https://www.babymoonfamily.com/original-articles/denmark-surrogacy-laws).
I hope that Sweden and other countries can follow suit and continue to move forward with science and progress for families built through ART.
These quotes and stories highlight that the journey of IVF and surrogacy is one of deep connection, support, and love that transcends national borders and has the power to change institutions that have stood for millennia.
If you have a story about IVF and surrogacy that you would like to share, please reach out at bryan@babymoonfamily.com.
I have previously profiled an incredible GC, Rachelle Myers-Nelson (https://www.babymoonfamily.com/original-articles/stories-rachelle-myers-nelson), and I love to hear about and share all inspirational aspects to these journeys.
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