A 2020 research study interviewed 22 Swedish gay dads about their experiences with IVF and surrogacy. In this article, I review this study, compare my husband and my journey as Americans living in Sweden, and discuss how Sweden and Europe’s conception of ‘family’ is a bit outdated.

‘Procreative consciousness’ is the state of mental preparedness that queer men have to achieve before actually planning for fatherhood. This article dives into the procreative consciousness of queer Swedish men and their non-linear journeys to fatherhood, as discussed in a research publication from 2020. Surrogacy in Sweden is not permitted. The discussion of how this impacts queer men, the influence of the Swedish and international media on surrogacy, and the role that BabyMoon Family can plan in helping queer men in Sweden and across Europe pursue their dreams of rainbow families are all discussed.