Our Family Coalition & Men Having Babies present:
2021 SF Surrogacy Conference, April 17-18
Full conference program
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Registration: 8:15-9:00 AM
Planning your journey: 9:00-10:20 AM (Commandants Room, 10th Floor)
We will open our session with introductions and a comparison of surrogacy with other parenting options. We will then provide the first part of our comprehensive surrogacy workshop that was developed based on the accumulated knowledge of hundreds of gay men who have already gone through the process.
Topics covered will include:
Topics covered will include:
- Basic terminology, types and components of typical surrogacy arrangements.
- Typical sequence and timeline for gestational surrogacy journeys.
- Legal considerations in the USA and Canada.
- Major decisions regarding IVF, egg donation and surrogacy options.
- Considering your family vision, financial constraints, risk tolerance and ethical preferences.
Surrogacy outside the USA - Canada and other destinations: 10:20 -10:50 AM
At this session we will present the aspects of pursuing surrogacy in Canada, including the ways in which this option differs from surrogacy in the US. In addition, we will offer a review of our Guidelines for Safe, Legal and Ethical Surrogacy Abroad.
Coffee Break: 10:50 -11:10 AM
Picking providers, budgeting and financial assistance: 11:10 AM-12:20 PM (Commandants Room, 10th Floor)
On the second part of our workshop we will provide peer advice on selecting service providers, cost saving tips, and resources for financial support. Topics covered will include:
- Where to start (agency, clinic, surrogate or donor).
- Selecting an agency and clinic.
- Estimated costs, and factors that affect costs.
- Cost saving best practices.
- Financial help through the Gay Parenting Assistance Program (GPAP).
Lunch / Gay Parenting Expo / Book Fair: 12:20 - 2:00 PM (Crystal Ballroom, 11th Floor)
Breakout sessions - come meet the sponsors: 2:00 - 4:00 PM (Various rooms - see table)
Attendees will have the opportunity to take part in up to 7 introductory group consultations with the various providers. Take advantage of this opportunity to get to know these agencies and clinics more closely. Most sessions will be 18 minutes long (plus 2-3 minutes switch time), and the last two are only 8 minutes each. They take place simultaneously in 4 meeting rooms on the 10th and 11th floors. The Gay Parenting Expo will also continue to be available during this period.
10th Floor:
10th Floor:
10th Floor:
11th Floor:
Private consultations with service providers: 3:00 -7:00 PM (various rooms, please check with participating providers for more details)
Several clinics and agencies will be available in offices for private consultations with prospective parents that wish to explore the options they offer in more depth. Prospective parents may request to coordinate consultations in advance using this form. Consultation slots may also be available last minute for those who want to first hear the providers during the breakout sessions.
“Legal Clinic”: 3:00 - 7:00 PM (Board room, 3rd floor)
Several legal experts will be available throughout the day for 20 minute private sessions. This is an opportunity to ask questions and receive general guidance on specific legal issues relevant to various circumstances. However note these sessions are not meant to provide formal legal services or serve as substitute for such. Sign up during registration, or throughout the day, as long as sessions are still available.
- Dean Hutchison Esq.
/ Circle Surrogacy & Egg Donation
- Chris Jackson, Esq.
/ Shorebreak Law
- Tabitha Koh
/ Northwest Surrogacy Center, LLC
- Molly O'Brien, Esq.
/ International Fertility Law Group
- Dean Hutchison Esq.
/ Circle Surrogacy & Egg Donation
- Chris Jackson, Esq.
/ Shorebreak Law
- Tabitha Koh
/ Northwest Surrogacy Center, LLC
- Molly O'Brien, Esq.
/ International Fertility Law Group
Gay Parenting Resource Fair / Coffee Break: 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Personal stories panel: 5:00 - 5:45 PM (Commandants Room, 10th Floor)
Moderator: Shelly Marsh, former surrogate and MHB’s marketing manager
Panelists include:
Joey Guzman Kuffel
Joey and Rob met seven years ago in Southern California. They were married in 2014 in a bare bones’ ceremony on the courthouse steps, but renewed their vows in 2016 with a grand wedding celebration. It was also around this time that they decided to start their own family through surrogacy. Due to a medical issue with their first surrogate and other delays it would be almost three years before their daughter Camila Lumiere was born. Joey, Rob and Camila now live in San Diego where Joey, drawing from his own experience, works as a Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in surrogate and intended parent assessments.
Alyssa Skogg
Alyssa is 32 years old and currently 6 months pregnant on her second journey. She delivered twins for her first IP’s September 2018. She and her husband have been together for 10 years and have a 4 year old daughter, Emma, and two German Shepherds that are like children to them. Alyssa is very proud to be a surrogate and enjoys talking to other women about her journey and supporting them on their journeys as well.
Aaron Almanza-Ponce
Aaron and Rick have been together for 8 years. They were married in 2017 and reside 35 miles outside of Los Angeles in Riverside Ca. Rick has two daughters from a previous marriage and together Aaron and Rick welcomed a little girl in February of 2019. With the help of Ricks Sister who was both a surrogate and egg donor and the IVF Cycle done Through HRC Rancho, Aaron and Rick have realized their dream of growing their family.
Reno Matthews
Reno and Jay are partners for more than two decades! They have a beautiful daughter named Aimee by working with Andee, their gestational surrogate, and her awesome family. Both families continue to maintain a close relationship. The road to Parenthood came with many bumps including the tragic loss of their first born son, Kristoff. Kristoff was still born but remains alive in their hearts. There are many lessons learned from their journey.
Ashley Tidwell
Ashley is a 35 year old wife and mother. She's had 5 kids, but only two, with her husband Oryan, for themselves! Her first introduction into helping create families was openly adopting her first child at 22 years old, and the feeling of making the dreams of parenthood happen for another family was what sparked the drive for surrogacy over 10 years later. She has two girls, aged 4 and 7, and has had twins (age 2) for fathers in London.
Joey and Rob with their daughter, Camila Lumiere .
Alyssa and the parents she helped.
Aaron and Rick and their daughter.
Reno and Jay with their daughter, Aimee, and surrogate, Andee.
Ashley with her husband and the parents she helped.
Life After Birth: 5:00-6:00 PM (Regimental Room, 10th Floor)
Resources and Family Support Services with Our Family Coalition.
Facilitator: Jeannette Page, Family Programs Coordinator at Our Family Coalition
Facilitator: Jeannette Page, Family Programs Coordinator at Our Family Coalition
Coffee Break: 5:45 PM - 6:00 PM
A mindful look at surrogacy - Attitudes and Ethics: 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM (Commandants Room, 10th Floor)
In this session we will examine how we feel about surrogacy: the meanings and significance people tend to attribute to surrogacy in their lives, with a special focus on surrogates’ perspective. We will look at questions such as:
Moderator: Ron Poole-Dayan, MHB executive director and board member
Speakers / Panelists:
- What are the dominant social perceptions of surrogacy in the U.S. and Canada?
- How do surrogates understand their experiences?
- What are the roots for concerns about exploitation and commodification in surrogacy?
- What are the experiences of children born via surrogacy?
Moderator: Ron Poole-Dayan, MHB executive director and board member
Speakers / Panelists:
- Robert-Jay Green, PhD, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP)
- Silvia Schneider Fox, PsyD, MHB board member
- Lisa Schuster, MHB GPAP Program Manager
Free admission - open to members of the LGBT community
7:15 PM - Teen Panel: Surrogacy children of gay dads share their stories (Commandants Room, 10th Floor)
8:00 PM - Happy Hour
- Refreshments will be served.
- Registered attendees receive a coupon for one free drink.
Sunday, January 19, 2020
Registration: 8:15-9:00 AM (10th Floor Foyer)
Expert Panel: Medical Aspects of Surrogacy 9:00 -10:30 AM (Commandants Room, 10th Floor)
Moderator: Guy Ringler, MD / California Fertility Partners
Panelists:
- Amanda Hurliman, MD
/ ORM Fertility
- Ashim Kumar, MD
/ Western Fertility
- Susanna Park, MD
/ San Diego Fertility Center
- Mousa Shamonki, MD
/ Fertility & Surgical Associates
- Danielle Lane, MD
/ Lane Fertility Institute
Private consultations with service providers: 9:00 AM -1:00 PM (various rooms, please check with participating providers for more details)
Several clinics and agencies will be available in offices for private consultations with prospective parents that wish to explore the options they offer in more depth. Prospective parents may request to coordinate consultations in advance using this form. Consultation slots may also be available last minute for those who want to first hear the providers during the breakout sessions.
Coffee break: 10:30-11:00 AM
Expert Panel: Budgeting and Insurance 11:00 AM -12:00 PM (Commandants Room, 10th Floor)
Moderator: Ron Poole-Dayan / MHB board
Panelists:
- Brad Spencer
/ Same Love Surrogacy
- Virginia Hart
/ ART Risk
- Steve Snyder, Esq.
/ IARC
Q&A Sessions:
Legal Experts - 12:00 -12:30 PM (Commandants Room, 10th Floor)
Legal status of surrogacy across the USA and Canada, contracts, securing parentage rights
Panelists:
- Chris Jackson, Esq.
/ Shorebreak Law
- Tabitha Koh
/ Northwest Surrogacy Center, LLC
- Molly O'Brien, Esq.
/ International Fertility Law Group
- Dean Hutchison, Esq.
/ Circle Surrogacy
Panelists:
- Chris Jackson, Esq.
/ Shorebreak Law
- Tabitha Koh
/ Northwest Surrogacy Center, LLC
- Molly O'Brien, Esq.
/ International Fertility Law Group
- Dean Hutchison, Esq.
/ Circle Surrogacy
Budgeting & Financial Assistance - 12:30 -1:00 PM (Commandants Room, 10th Floor)
Cost saving best practices, the Gay Parenting Assistance Program (GPAP)
Panelists:
- Ron Poole-Dayan
/ MHB - Executive Director
- Lisa Schuster
/ MHB - GPAP Program Manager
Panelists:
- Ron Poole-Dayan
/ MHB - Executive Director
- Lisa Schuster
/ MHB - GPAP Program Manager
Advice for prospective single fathers: 1:00 -2:00 PM (Regimental Room, 10th Floor)
Hear from gay fathers who’ve gone through the surrogacy journey without a partner, and meet like-minded prospective fathers.
Facilitator: Silvia Schneider Fox, PsyD, MHB board member
Facilitator: Silvia Schneider Fox, PsyD, MHB board member