Chelsea Family Foundation (CFF) is a non-profit educational organization that promotes equality, equity, and freedom in parenting. We provide open access to all available reproductive technologies to any individual or couple who wishes to grow their family regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or identification. After all, family is simply defined as two or more people who share common values.
An LGBTQ Community Resource
Chelsea Family Foundation connects members of the LGBTQ+ community with the necessary resources needed to grow their families. Whether you are seeking professionals regarding adoption, legal assistance, genetic counseling, third-party reproduction, mental health, or other medical care, our organization can help.
You can count on us to be in your corner throughout each aspect of the logistical side of family building. We take complications head on and create a smooth path to parenthood.
Foundation Leadership
Paul Gindoff, M.D. Co-Founder
Beth Hartog, M.D. Co-Founder
Ruth Yang, Esq. The Law Office of Ruth L. Yang
Brian D. Gindoff Chelsea Family Foundation
Lillian Calve Chelsea Family Foundation
Sophia Calve Chelsea Family Foundation
IUI / IVF Options
Once a decision is made as to who will carry the baby and donor sperm is acquired, many couples will typically move forward with intrauterine insemination (IUI). In the event that IUI is unsuccessful, fertility medication(s) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be needed to achieve a pregnancy.
Reciprocal IVF is also available. In this route, one partner provides the eggs used to create the embryo along with the donated sperm and the other partner carries the baby. This is common in cases where a medical issue prevents one partner from becoming pregnant or maintaining a pregnancy.
Egg Donor / Surrogate Options
For some couples, an egg donor and gestational surrogate are needed in order to have a baby. In cases where one partner’s sperm will be used to create the embryo (which will be implanted in the surrogate during IVF), that partner will first need to undergo fertility testing.
Embryos created via this process can be used immediately through surrogacy, or frozen and stored safely for later use. Finding the right egg donor and/or surrogate can be a challenge, but CFF offers couples the best possible resources to ensure you move forward with confidence, knowing your family is growing to your desired expectations.
Lastly, we assist with any legal needs that can arise during the surrogacy process, such as establishing parentage.
Third-party Reproduction
The use of an egg donor, sperm donor, and/or gestational surrogate is clear from a medical perspective, but there are legal and logistical hurdles that can arise. For example, couples consisting of two females are required to file a post-birth adoption on behalf of the partner who does not carry the pregnancy. A medical team must work in conjunction with legal professionals, one or more agencies, as well as all involved parties (donor, surrogate, and intended parents).
CFF has the experience and partnerships necessary to keep any third-party reproductive journey as streamlined as possible. Couples interested in surrogacy are invited to learn more below.
Gestational Surrogacy
Gestational surrogacy refers to when a surrogate carries and delivers a baby for intended parents but is not the baby’s biological mother. Surrogacy arrangements involve considerable legal requirements to protect the rights of all involved parties. Additionally, state law can widely vary per the type of surrogacy allowed as well as parental rights, especially in regard to LGBTQ+ families.
Knowledgeable legal assistance offered by CFF can be crucial in any surrogacy journey, and it is highly recommended for LGBTQ+ couples seeking a surrogate.