More than 220 attendees from 12 countries attended the 2016 MHB Brussels conference on Parenting options for European gay men. The conference was widely covered by the Belgian media, allowing us to raise the need for ethical and effective surrogacy legislation around Europe.
This was our second Brussels Conference and it once again provided a wealth of unbiased information and access a wide range of relevant service providers. It was offered in an expanded two-days format, and at a larger venue, yet once again we had to add an overflow room with live video feed to accommodate the large demand. It brought together community activists from several LGBT European organizations, medical and legal experts, parents and surrogate mothers.
On the first day of the conference we will introduce MHB’s new Framework for Ethical Surrogacy, which was developed with the assistance of an advisory board made of surrogates. The framework already received endorsements from several LGBT family associations worldwide.
On the second day several workshops and panels provided peer advice on surrogacy in the USA and Canada, and adoption of children from the USA. Advice was also offered on finding and picking professionals to help in the process, and how to obtain financial assistance.