Australian soap opera, Neighbours, to look at surrogacy issue

Australian soap Neighbours will look at gay surrogacy over the coming months

David Tanaka and husband Aaron Brennan will look at surrogacy after their foster child, Emmett, decided to leave their home to live with his Aunt.

The couple has had a tough start to being parents after being put off by the fostering’s intrusive interview process.

They had hoped for a child, aged between two and five, but were asked to take in Emmett, and then the arrival of his unruly brother, Brent.

It did not end well for all concerned, and they found themselves saying goodbye to Emmett soon after.

In scenes set to air in the next couple of weeks, the couple decides they would like to look at fostering again, but David also mentions his thoughts on having their own child.

The couple spends some time discussing their options, with David stating that they would have a lot more control over the decision-making process with surrogacy.

Surrogacy laws differ in states across Australia

Commercial surrogacy is banned throughout Australia; many couples decide to travel overseas.

The Australian Psychological Society has said a growing number of gay men have entered into a surrogacy arrangement in the past ten years.

It states that although more men are turning to surrogacy to become parents, it can take its toll on mental health.

The APS said engaging in a surrogacy agreement can be challenging, cause emotional stress, and be a costly process.

The average cost of Australian surrogacy arrangement costs is between $25,000 and $60,000, and much more overseas.

Sam Everingham, the co-founder of Growing Families, writes regularly for IVF babble on surrogacy for the gay community.

He talked recently about the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on international surrogacy arrangements.

Couples who enter into a surrogacy arrangement are legally required to have counseling and book via Australia’s Fertility Society.

The Australian Psychological Society has put together a factsheet on gay men and surrogacy; click here to read the full document.

For more information on surrogacy, visit Growing Families.