Why Affirming, Human Centered Care Is Essential to LGBTQ+ Family Building

At ACRC Global, family building is never one size fits all. Every Intended Parent comes with their own story, hopes, and challenges, especially LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples navigating fertility care, egg donation, and surrogacy.

That belief is at the heart of the work led by Ivy Lai, Intended Parent Department Manager at ACRC Global, who was recently featured in Provider POV by Well Beings News. In the interview, Ivy shares what affirming care truly looks like in practice, why empathy without assumptions is essential, and how providers can create safer, more inclusive family building journeys.

You can read the full interview here: Provider POV: Ivy Lai of ACRC Global

Below, we highlight key takeaways from Ivy’s perspective and what they mean for LGBTQIA+ Intended Parents seeking supportive fertility care.

Affirming Care Starts With Seeing the Whole Person

For Ivy, affirming care means far more than inclusive language. It means ensuring every Intended Parent feels valued, respected, and safe at every stage of their journey.

At ACRC Global, this philosophy shows up in:

• Personalized consultations that begin with listening

• Inclusive marketing and education that welcomes LGBTQIA+ families

• Team training that emphasizes empathy and cultural awareness

• Careful vetting of IVF clinics to ensure they truly support diverse family structures

Affirming care is not about making assumptions. It is about recognizing that each family building journey is deeply personal and deserves individualized support.

Supporting LGBTQIA+ Intended Parents Through Complex Journeys

LGBTQIA+ Intended Parents often face additional layers of complexity when pursuing parenthood, including:

• Navigating different state and international surrogacy laws

• Finding IVF clinics experienced with LGBTQIA+ family building

• Understanding sperm donation, egg donation, and surrogacy options

• Managing financial planning and long term timelines

One of the most important roles ACRC Global plays is helping Intended Parents see clarity where there was once uncertainty. Even when timing or budget requires patience, having a thoughtful plan in place can restore hope and confidence.

As Ivy emphasizes, everyone deserves the opportunity to become a parent, regardless of identity or circumstance.

Building Trust Through Human Connection

Many LGBTQIA+ families come to fertility care after experiencing judgment, misinformation, or exclusion in healthcare settings. Rebuilding trust takes time and intention.

At ACRC Global, trust is built by:

• Creating space for Intended Parents to share past experiences

• Reassuring them their identities and family goals are respected

• Offering tailored support rather than rigid processes

• Encouraging healthy, well defined communication between Intended Parents and Surrogates

As Ivy explains, building trust is ultimately about being human. Listening, adapting, and honoring emotional boundaries are just as important as clinical expertise.

Why Visibility and Education Matter

A major gap in LGBTQIA+ fertility care is access to reliable, affirming information. Many mainstream fertility resources do not address the realities of donor conception, surrogacy, or legal protections for LGBTQIA+ families.

That is why education plays such a critical role at ACRC Global, from consultations and webinars to ongoing legal updates and transparent planning conversations. Empowered Intended Parents are better equipped to make confident decisions for their families.

Hope Is Found in the Outcome

What keeps Ivy grounded in her work is witnessing the moment when everything comes together. Seeing Intended Parents meet their baby for the first time alongside the Surrogate is a reminder of why affirming, compassionate care matters.

Those moments represent more than a successful process. They represent dignity, belonging, and the fulfillment of deeply personal dreams.

A Message to LGBTQIA+ Intended Parents

Family building is not something you have to navigate alone. Every journey is unique, and affirming care means meeting you where you are, without assumptions, pressure, or judgment.

ACRC Global is honored to support LGBTQIA+ Intended Parents with clarity, compassion, and respect at every step.

Learn More About How ACRC Surrogacy Supports LGBTQ+ Parents

Every LGBTQ+ family building journey is unique, and having the right support makes all the difference. ACRC Surrogacy is committed to providing affirming, transparent, and compassionate care for LGBTQ+ Intended Parents at every stage of the surrogacy process.

From personalized consultations and experienced case managers to carefully vetted Surrogates and trusted IVF clinic partnerships, our team helps LGBTQ+ parents navigate medical, legal, and emotional complexities with confidence and clarity.

If you’re exploring surrogacy or want to better understand your options as a gay couple or LGBTQ+ Intended Parents, we’re here to listen and support you every step of the way.

Learn more about surrogacy for gay couples and LGBTQ+ parents Schedule a free, confidential consultation

You deserve a care team that sees you, respects you, and champions your vision of family. ACRC Surrogacy is honored to walk alongside you on that journey.

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