Margot's story: donating frozen sperm to help LGBTQ+ people create their own families | Rainbow Families
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Key takeaways
- People who froze sperm earlier in life and no longer need it may be eligible to donate their remaining stored samples to help others build a family
- Donating stored sperm is one way to support LGBTIQA+ people, solo parents, and others who don't have the usual pathways to parenthood
- In Australia, all sperm donation is altruistic and anonymous donation is not permitted, meaning donor-conceived people can access identifying information about their donor when they reach adulthood
- Transparency and informed consent are central to the donation process, including being clear that any future contact with donor-conceived children is always child-led
- If you have stored sperm or eggs you are unlikely to use, Genea's donor team can help you understand your options and whether donation is possible
Margot, a NSW mother of two who froze sperm with Genea around a decade ago, before beginning hormone treatment as part of her transition. At the time, her focus was simply on preserving her options for the future. "I already had one child, and later I wanted to be able to have another," she explained. "Before starting hormones, I froze sperm so that option would still be there for me."
As time passed, Margot realised she was unlikely to have more children but still had vials remaining in storage. She began thinking about how she could help someone else create their family. "Especially people who are struggling to have a family, like same-sex couples, non-binary people, or others who don't have the usual pathways to parenthood," she said.
Margot contacted Genea about donating her stored sperm. One thing was central to her from the start: full transparency. She made it clear that any family using her donation should know exactly who she is, and that any future contact would always be child-led.
Her advice to others who may have stored sperm or eggs they are unlikely to use is simple and generous: if you are not going to use what you have stored, consider donating to help LGBTQ+ people create their own families.
*Please note, Margot's name has been changed for privacy.
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