Lesbian mothers, gay male sperm donors, and community: Ensuring the well-being of children and families
Damien W Riggs
School of Psychology, University of Adelaide; National Convenor, Gay and Lesbian Issues and Psychology Interest Group, APS
PP: 226 - 234
Abstract
As Australian reproductive health continues to be shaped by legal and social heterosexism, lesbian women seeking to conceive are often reliant upon gay men to act as known donors. As previous legal cases demonstrate, this can result in contestations between donors and recipients that result in negative well-being outcomes for both parties, and which highlight the limitations of coalitionism within gay and lesbian communities.
Using data collected via interviews with Australian gay men who have acted as known donors, this paper examines some of the ways in which such men experience the negotiating of sperm donation, and how this is often shaped by normative assumptions surrounding lesbian parenting and reproduction.
Importantly, the findings also emphasise the positive experiences of sperm donation of some gay men. Suggestions are made for opportunities to increase the likelihood of positive outcomes for negotiations between donors and recipients, with a particular focus upon children’s rights as citizens.
see also: Riggs D (2007) Becoming parent: Lesbians, gay men and family, PostPressed, Brisbane.
Keywords
gay sperm donors, lesbian mothers, children’s rights, family well-being, sociology
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