Million Dollar Baby

 

Saturday, 23rd October 2010
Grand Connaught Rooms, 
Covent Garden, London

Click here to go direct to the Alternative Families Show website

 

Instead of asking that tired looking new mother how she did ‘it’ go to the Alternative Family Show and ask the experts! On 23^rd October a brand new exhibition is coming to town (Covent Garden, to be precise) that will give the gay community a chance to get vital information and advice from experts in the relevant fields. This is the day to ask the million-dollar question “How do I (should I, can I) become a parent?”

 

The ‘new’ or ‘alternative’ or ‘non-traditional’ family today looks a lot different and challenges the conventional mother, father and 2.4 children unit.  Recent cultural and legislative changes have fostered a new attitude in the gay community making families and parenthood a real accessible possibility with many options to consider.  Those in their mid-twenties sound like their straight counterparts – ‘Yes, I would like my own family, but not yet’. Those women in their late 30s are now wondering if they’ve left it too late and if it be done without a long-term partner.

 

What we do know is that legal rights and attitudes are changing fast.  Discussion on how to conceive, what parental structure is most successful, exploring the pros and cons of biological, adoption or surrogacy routes are now real conversations taking place at gay dinner parties and in gay bars.  These are issues facing the wider gay community and not just lesbians.  The Alternative Family Show addresses the challenges gay men face when becoming a father/parent. Adoption and surrogacy issues will be dealt with including immigration expertise.  Some worry about the cost of the process however, the show also aims to inform the options available to everyone regardless of their income bracket.

 

Along with experts, the show will be running seminars throughout the day on various aspects of parenthood – a one-stop-shop, all you need to know day in order to make a good decision for you.  London Women’s Clinic, a private fertility clinic based on Harley St, is sponsoring the show and will be running ‘Inseminar’ which will take you through all you need to know about the conception process. 

 

For those in the gay community that are looking for a co-parent of the opposite sex there is a chance to meet like-minded singles and couples, taking speed-dating to a whole new level! 

 

Our advice: Arm yourself with information.  Your life, situation and views are unique to you. Don’t just make a decision – the most important decision of your life - make an informed decision based on real information with careful consideration to your own circumstances.

 

For more information on the show visit www.alternativefamiliesshow.com

The Alternative Family show is partnered by square peg media publishers of g3 and Out in the City magazines, Stonewall and Littlepink.