

When...
3rd of May, 2015 - 9:00 - 18:00.

Registration...
NOTE: registration is now closed. Last minute registration may be possible on Sunday, space permitting.
(partial list)
The 2015 Brussels conference on:
Parenting options for European gay men
- View clips from the entire program in English or French.
- See excerpts and video clips from the intense media coverage of the conference
- See below for the original event program
On the 3rd of May, 2015, the most comprehensive conference dedicated to gay men who want to have children is finally arriving to the heart of Europe!
Across most of Europe gay men who want to become fathers face serious legal, cultural, and financial obstacles. With over 2000 couples and singles worldwide, including 500 in Europe, the nonprofit organization Men Having Babies (MHB) is dedicated to helping gay men become parents. The organization offers financial support and conferences in New York, San Francisco, Barcelona and Tel Aviv. Now, in collaboration with several LGBT organizations and activists in the region, we proudly bring this unique program to BeNeLux.
The Brussels conference will provide a wealth of unbiased information and access a wide range of relevant service providers. It will bring together under one roof community activists, experts, parents and surrogates who will share their experiences with special focus on both surrogacy and adoption of children from the USA. Attendees will benefit from peer advice on planning their parenting journey and picking providers, expert and personal stories panels, information about financial assistance, and the opportunity to meet more than than twenty clinics, agencies and community organizations. Sponsorship proceeds will benefit the Gay Parenting Assistance Program and will be earmarked for prospective adoptive or surrogacy parents from Europe.
Agenda for Sunday, May 3 (at BIP, 11 rue Royale):
- 9:00 - 9:30: Registration
- 09:30-10:00: Overview of surrogacy and adoption options in the USA
- 10:00-11:00: Planning your parenting journey - major legal, medical and financial considerations.
- 11:00-11:15: Coffee break
- 11:15-12:00: Personal stories panel - hear from several surrogates and French, Dutch and Belgian parents.
- 12:00-13:00: Picking providers, budgeting and financial assistance (GPAP).
- 13:00-14:00: Lunch and gay parenting resource fair (tables of surrogacy and adoption agencies, clinics, lawyers and community organizations).
- 14:00-15:00: Country-specific expert panels: Legal, medical and peer advice on surrogacy for France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the rest of Europe (UK, Spain, Germany).
- 15:00-17:00: Breakout sessions - learn more about the surrogacy and adoption providers.
- 17:00-18:00: Resource fair & networking reception.
Optional pre-conference activities
- Saturday, May 2 (at the Hilton Brussels Grand Place) - free admission:

16:00- 17:30: Symposium / Round table discussion: Legal and societal challenges for gay fatherhood across Europe, and the road ahead. Panelists will include legal experts, sociologists, and community activists from the several European countries.

Bring your children! Special activities for children, including a clown, balloons, and face painting.
We will also be screening the film "Talking with Surrogates" (Paroles de femmes porteuses) by Delphone Lance.
Additional information:
- Conference attendees are eligible for 25-40% discount on accommodations at the Hilton Brussels Grand Place.
- Attendees can also book private consultations for Saturday or Monday with the clinics and agencies who will be in Brussels for the conference (also at the Hilton).
- Brussels Pride Festival is opening April 30 and will continue throughout the weekend.
Adoption Agencies
Supportive Community & Media Organizations
