A CNN crew has been following Circle Surrogacy dads, Gary and Tony, in their 15 month journey to have a biological child. The documentary film shows the couple choosing and meeting a known egg donor, building a relationship with a strongly motivated and thoroughly screened surrogate mother (and her supportive husband), and receiving the medical, legal and psychological support they required. The film demonstrates Circle's strategy for successful surrogacy journeys, and its philosophy, which is to facilitate a circle of families who help create new families.

As part of its Father's Day coverage, Belgian news program RTBF interviews Eric and Didier, a gay couple, who thanks to Circle Surrogacy became the Daddy and Papa of two year old Boris. The couple talks about their experience being dads, the fears and joys of gay parenting and how people around them and their son's  daycare teacher react to their same-sex family.

Circle dads, Vincent & George, a gay couple living in Barcelona, as well as, Myriam the US surrogate who carried their child, are interviewed by the leading newspaper in Spain, about their surrogacy journey. Myriam talks about how surrogacy is a "family affair" and de-mystifies some of the misconceptions in Spain surrounding the matter.

In November 2009 Circle Surrogacy hosted Italy's first formal seminar about parenting options through surrogacy in the U.S. Experienced parents and lawyers shared their knowledge with interested parents in Milan. Participants from northern Italy and Switzerland heard directly from an American surrogate mother who gave birth to a baby for an Italian gay couple. Additional legal and practical advice was provided by John Weltman, Circle Surrogacy's president and founder.

Dawn, a surrogate mother who delivered twins for an Israeli gay couple, recently visited the family along with her husband. The reunion was featured on Israeli TV in a story about gay men who increasingly turn to USA surrogacy in their quest for parenthood. Also featured the Israeli couple Avishay & Avinoam, Circle's president and the agency's Israeli liaison. The report is also a unique opportunity to hear about the surrogacy from the perspective of the surrogate's husband.

Circle Surrogacy's recent seminar in Dallas was covered by The Dallas Voice, a leading publication covering LGBT issues.  The article features interviews with Lura, a Texas Circle surrogate, and the agency's president John Weltman. It describes the environment in Texas for same sex couples and the advantages of working with an experienced agency such as Circle Surrogacy.

In a move designed to allow greater flexibility and provide more resources for Circle Surrogacy to grow, Weltman and his legal team amicably separated from Lawson & Weitzen and formed a new law firm. In addition to the new offices and improved IT equipment, additional staff, new positions and the creation of a Speakers Bureau were also announced, aimed to handle growth and provide opportunities for more carriers and parents to take an active part in the surrogacy process.

Israel's channel 10 reported in December 2009 about on the growing number of "Aba and Aba" (Dad & Dad) households in the country, due to the increasing number of Israeli gay men who are having babies with the help of surrogate mothers abroad. The report featured Oded and Roi who had children in the USA with the help of Circle Surrogacy and the Egg Bank program. The reporter also interviewed John Weltman's children, who are among the oldest surrogacy children worldwide, about their experience growing up in a household with only male parents.

In reaction to the NY Times article "Building a Baby, With Few Ground Rules", Circle Surrogacy's president calls for renewed efforts to set such ground rules, but also warns against losing sight of the amazing high levels of safety and success achieved by reputable professionals today. "I fear that instead of helping raise awareness of the need for regulation, the article may damage a profession that has the highest success rate worldwide in producing biologically related children for infertile and gay couples", said Mr. Weltman. "The stories featured by the Times are from three states which reputable agencies avoid due to unfavorable laws, and where either surrogates or intended parents did not meet clear standards that most clinics and agencies set."

The Israeli financial daily 'The Marker' reported in July 2009  about the various options and variables Israeli gay men need to consider in their journey toward parenthood, and the major role Circle Surrogacy plays in the Israeli 'gaby boom'. The special report in the leading financial and business daily newspaper featured pictures and extensive quotes from Circle parents and agency's representatives, and repeated in English at the parent Haaretz newspaper and web site. Go to the story for a summary and excerpts from the English version, and links to the original article in both Hebrew and English.  

In September 2009, Circle Surrogacy co-sponsored an informational seminar for New York gay men who want to have a baby. The seminar included three parts: an overview of the surrogacy and egg donation process by a panel of legal and medical experts; short presentations by agencies and organizations who provide services and support for gay men who want to have babies; and personal stories from NY gay parents, a surrogate and an egg donor. Watch the videos of the panel members on our YouTube channel.

BBC Radio Leicester, the Karl Cooper Show interviews Brett, a gay intended father from the UK. Brett and his partner Matt are expecting a baby in early January 2010. The baby is being carried by Norma, a US surrogate.

Circle Surrogacy offered private consultations and informational seminars in London and Stockholm in May 2009. The London seminar was co-sponsored by Connecticut Fertility Associates. The seminar featured a presentation by a surrogate mom from Wisconsin who recently delivered a baby for a London couple, along with expert legal and medical advice, practical tips and contacts for gay and straight couples and singles. A similar seminar was held in Stockholm.

John Weltman, Circle Surrogacy president, and Chari Hurley, a Circle surrogate, were guests recently in the Lovell Dyett Program on WBZ Newsradio in Boston. John, Chari and her friend Roi spoke about their personal stories, their motivation, their relationship with the parents, what they feel about people who may have moral objections to surrogacy, and their future plans. Several listeners called in, including another surrogate mother from Florida.

Circle Surrogacy, one of the oldest full service surrogate-parenting agency in the USA, is launching a new line of surrogacy and egg donation programs, including the country's first Guaranteed Baby plan, and programs that provide cost savings through the use of an innovative frozen Egg Bank and Egg Sharing arrangements. The plans are being introduced amid a continued growth in the demand for the agency's service both in the USA and worldwide. The agency is embarking, beginning in April, on an eight nation tour to introduce the plans and meet prospective parents in NY, Paris, Amsterdam, London, Stockholm, Tel Aviv, Montreal, Atlanta and Madrid.

The Tel Aviv Pride month edition of Time Out featured a story about the growing number of Israeli couples and singles that have become parents with the help of Circle Surrogacy. The article was titled "Make Me a Child: all you need to know about the parenting option that is becoming increasingly popular among the Israeli gay community." The article mentions the upcoming June 12 seminar Circle is offering in Tel Aviv, which follows a highly attended seminar held two years ago. It includes interviews with Nisim and Itay, a Tel Aviv couple that recently became the proud parents of twin girls with the help of Circle, and with Sara, the American surrogate who helped them.

April's cover story at Têtu, France's largest LGBT magazine, was dedicated to "Fathers through Surrogacy" (Papas grâce à la gestation pour autrui). The article reports that "Disappointed by co-parenting or simply wishing to raise their children full time, gay couples are using a surrogate mothers from abroad to achieve their desire for fatherhood." Because surrogacy is prohibited in France, these prospective dads turn to agencies like Circle Surrogacy. The article includes interviews and full page pictures of John Weltman, Circle President, and Lisa, a Circle surrogate that bore twins for a French gay couple last September. John noted that "the share of foreign couples exploded: they were 25% in 2007, today they are 40%, from 36 different countries on five continents." Lisa explained that for her, this was "something special that we have lived through together as family, and I hope that this is how my children will remember it as well... Knowing that I am part of something so huge and important, it's extraordinary. Today, there is a family that would not have existed without me."

France's major TV channel TF1 aired in February a documentary that presents Circle Surrogacy as the hope of many French citizens, since surrogacy is illegal in their own country. The documentary includes interviews with Circle clients James and Rich, now parents of a baby boy, and Melissa, a third time surrogate mother. Also featured are several Circle employees, including John Weltman, Circle's founder and president. The documentary covers Circle's 13th anniversary reunion party in Boston (September 2008) and Circle's information seminar in Paris (October 2008).

In conjunction with June's Gay Pride events, the Florida's Spanish newspaper El Sentinel published an article titled "Being gay and a father / Gay couples add another dimension to their relationships." The article describes how gay Floridians, many of them of Hispanic background, are circumventing the state's prohibition on gay adoptions by becoming parents through surrogacy. The article includes interviews with John Weltman, Circle Surrogacy's president, and Circle parents and surrogate.

Following the recent Newsweek story on surrogate mothers, a media frenzy ensued: NBC, ABC, the Daily News and others chose to focus on the supposed large proportions of "military wives" among the ranks of surrogates. Circle denounces the depiction of military wives, or any other gestational carriers, as if they are resorting to surrogacy because they are desperate or destitute. John Weltman, Circle's president, is calling people not to lose sight of the altruistic feelings revealed by Newsweek to be the principle motivation of most surrogates.Following the recent Newsweek story on surrogate mothers, a media frenzy ensued: NBC, ABC, the Daily News and others chose to focus on the supposed large proportions of "military wives" among the ranks of surrogates. Circle denounces the depiction of military wives, or any other gestational carriers, as if they are resorting to surrogacy because they are desperate or destitute. John Weltman, Circle's president, is calling people not to lose sight of the altruistic feelings revealed by Newsweek to be the principle motivation of most surrogates.

Newsweek's story titled Womb for Rent: the Complex World of Surrogate Mothers includes significant contribution from Circle and an interview with John Weltman. While some see the article as biased, John Weltman underscores the benefits of bringing to light the personal stories and viewpoints of surrogates. The article notes that today, "a greater acceptance of the practice, and advances in science, find more women than ever before having babies for those who cannot" - but that still "the demand for qualified surrogates is well ahead of supply."

More gay men than ever before are becoming parents, and among them gestational surrogacy is particularly popular -- that is the conclusion of an article in May's edition of Details magazine. The popular men's fashion and lifestyle magazine published an in-depth story about what they describe as a "Gayby Boom." The article cites observations of academics, doctors, lawyers, and gay advocacy groups who say that "there appears to be a boom in homosexual men having babies." Edward Lewine, the article's author, based much of the article on interviews with John Weltman, Circle Surrogacy's president, along with several former Circle clients.More gay men than ever before are becoming parents, and among them gestational surrogacy is particularly popular -- that is the conclusion of an article in May's edition of Details magazine. The popular men's fashion and lifestyle magazine published an in-depth story about what they describe as a "Gayby Boom." The article cites observations of academics, doctors, lawyers, and gay advocacy groups who say that "there appears to be a boom in homosexual men having babies." Edward Lewine, the article's author, based much of the article on interviews with John Weltman, Circle Surrogacy's president, along with several former Circle clients.

The release of 'Baby Mama' in late April seemed to fuel the growing Media interest in surrogacy. Reporters from around the country and abroad turned to Circle Surrogacy for information and a reality check. Indeed some parents and surrogates who saw the movie were disturbed by the extreme stereotypes and, even worse, the distortion and misrepresentation of the entire process. In reality, the most crucial elements of the story could simply not happen if certain basic rules are followed - see the article for a detailed account of how we avoid these pitfalls at Circle Surrogacy... As John Weltman puts it: “while Baby Mama is a funny comedy of mistakes, miscommunications and personality clashes, luckily, well planned surrogacies are nothing like the one in the film."The release of 'Baby Mama' in late April seemed to fuel the growing Media interest in surrogacy. Reporters from around the country and abroad turned to Circle Surrogacy for information and a reality check. Indeed some parents and surrogates who saw the movie were disturbed by the extreme stereotypes and, even worse, the distortion and misrepresentation of the entire process. In reality, the most crucial elements of the story could simply not happen if certain basic rules are followed - see the article for a detailed account of how we avoid these pitfalls at Circle Surrogacy... As John Weltman puts it: “while Baby Mama is a funny comedy of mistakes, miscommunications and personality clashes, luckily, well planned surrogacies are nothing like the one in the film."

The popular Israeli newspaper Yediot Acharonot published an article about "the new trend among gay couples in Israel: surrogacy abroad, and in the USA in particular." The article features several Circle Surrogacy clients, and stipulates that a "weak dollar, helpful agencies, a new egg bank and a wide selection of egg donors and surrogates are making the American option the preferred method for dozens of Israeli couples." The article details the experiences of these couples selecting egg donors and being matched with surrogates, the medical process, their wonderful relationships with their surrogates, and the excitement of the birth experience. Also mentioned is the new option of an egg bank, and other options used by Circle to control costs. The popular Israeli newspaper Yediot Acharonot published an article about "the new trend among gay couples in Israel: surrogacy abroad, and in the USA in particular." The article features several Circle Surrogacy clients, and stipulates that a "weak dollar, helpful agencies, a new egg bank and a wide selection of egg donors and surrogates are making the American option the preferred method for dozens of Israeli couples." The article details the experiences of these couples selecting egg donors and being matched with surrogates, the medical process, their wonderful relationships with their surrogates, and the excitement of the birth experience. Also mentioned is the new option of an egg bank, and other options used by Circle to control costs.

A Circle couple and their twins were featured in a story by the AFP news agency titled " Surrogate mothers fulfilling gay men's parenthood dreams". The story  was picked up by dozens of publications in several languages worldwide! The couple featured in the articles are Mike and AJ from New York, and their boy & girl twins.   Among the newspapers and websites that carried the story were several from the  USA, and others from Romania, France, Russia, Spain, Argentina, Poland, Japan, South Africa, Turkey, Hungary, Uruguay, Indonesia and even Morocco!

John Weltman, Circle Surrogacy president, was interviewed to Radio Health Journal, a program broadcasted weekly on over 425 radio stations around the country. The subject of the show was "Surrogate mothers and the gift of life," and it was aired during the week of December 7, 2008. John spoke about what motivates surrogates, the screening process, matching process, and the relationship between surrogates and intended parents. Other experts are also interviewed answering questions about the process, surrogate /intended parent relationships, and the legal and ethical aspects of surrogacy.

Among the many viewers of our channel on YouTube was a medical reporter from CNN who was impressed by the rare ultrasound of twins carried by one of our surrogates for a gay couple from Israel. The clip was in turn featured in a report about new research that indicates a girl twin may be influenced by a boy twin in womb.

Dozens in Stockholm attended the May 10 informational seminar about "Surrogacy in the USA for Swedish Couples and Singles (Surrogatföräldraskap i USA för svenska par och singlar)." The seminar was an opportunity for Swedish gay and straight prospective parents to hear expert advice about this important parenting option and personal stories from Circle's former Swedish clients and one of the surrogates that helped them. Click the link below for more information and two YouTube clips from the event.

B.J. started his surrogacy journey at the 2005 Men Having Babies seminar, and later on he was matched by Circle with Leah to be his gestational surrogate. About three years later, on September 14, 2008, B.J. and Leah will be speaking on the panel at this year's seminar. Below is a link to an interview with the two about their experience. The seminar is part of a year-round Center Kids program that includes monthly meetings of the Planning Biological Parenthood for Men support group [every fourth Wednesday, at 6:30 PM].

Following the news last month that the singer Ricky Martin became the single father of twins by surrogacy, the New York Times cites indications that Martin is part of a growing trend. The NY Times approached Circle for information and interview referrals for this story, and it profiles three of our clients: Joe, Daniel and Gene. The article, titled "The Bachelor Life Includes a Family," states that "Surrogacy agencies, surveys on adoption and father support groups all say that they are seeing more single fathers by choice. Most of these men are gay, agencies say, but there are also straight men seeking to become fathers."Following the news last month that the singer Ricky Martin became the single father of twins by surrogacy, the New York Times cites indications that Martin is part of a growing trend. The NY Times approached Circle for information and interview referrals for this story, and it profiles three of our clients: Joe, Daniel and Gene. The article, titled "The Bachelor Life Includes a Family," states that "Surrogacy agencies, surveys on adoption and father support groups all say that they are seeing more single fathers by choice. Most of these men are gay, agencies say, but there are also straight men seeking to become fathers."

As part of the growing media interest in single men who become fathers,  London's Sunday Times featured one of Circle's client, Joe Kurtzer, as an example the growing number of heterosexual men who are not waiting for Mrs. Right to start a family.

Circle Surrogacy celebrated its 13th anniversary and the birth of its 250th baby with a reunion party for dozens of families formed through surrogacy, along with some of the surrogates and donors who helped make all this possible. Also attending were John Weltman, Circle Surrogacy's president, along with more of Circle's staff, many of whom are also former clients, surrogates and egg donors. As children of clients and surrogates mingled and played together,  we were reminded of what we believe surrogacy is all about: families helping create other families.

Svenska Dagbladet, Sweden’s second largest national newspaper, featured an interview with a Circle surrogate who recently delivered twins for a Swedish gay couple. The interview was part of an article titled "Family happiness due to surrogate mother" ("Familjelycka tack vare surrogatmor"). The interview took place subsequent an informational seminar Circle recently held in Stockholm, and a growing number of Swedish clients who are using Circle's help to become parents. Click the link for excerpts from the article and interview in both English and Swedish.

Circle Surrogacy co-hosted in Paris a seminar about "Surrogacy in the USA for European Couples and Singles (Gestation pour Autrui aux États-Unis pour Couples et Célibataires Européens)." The seminar was an opportunity for French and other European prospective parents to hear expert advice about this important parenting option and personal stories from Circle's former clients and one of the surrogates that helped them. Surrogacy is prohibited in France, but recent legal rulings are making it easier for French citizens to have children through surrogacy abroad and bring them back after the birth. Click the link below for more information and several YouTube clips from the event.

CNN's American Morning featured Circle Surrogacy dads in a story about single men who turn to surrogates for children. CNN reports on the growing number of single men, straight and gay, who choose surrogacy in their baby quest. The reports states that surrogacy in general quadrupled over the last decade, and that men are leading the trend.  This is in part due to the fact that surrogacy is often the only available parenting option for single men, due to sever legal and other obstacles to adoptions. The report and corresponding article also feature an interview with Circle's president.

John Weltman, Circle Surrogacy president was asked by the BBC Radio to address the perceived "British invasion" - as many more gay men turn to the States, and to Circle Surrogacy in particular, in their quest for parenthood. The BBC's Moral Maze program takes up the ethical aspects of surrogacy and the supposed desire for "designer babies", and John was asked to provide his perspective.John Weltman, Circle Surrogacy president was asked by the BBC Radio to address the perceived "British invasion" - as many more gay men turn to the States, and to Circle Surrogacy in particular, in their quest for parenthood. The BBC's Moral Maze program takes up the ethical aspects of surrogacy and the supposed desire for "designer babies", and John was asked to provide his perspective.

A growing numbers of Canadians are going south to make their parenting dreams come true. John Weltman interviewed in April 2007 about how it is done, answering legal, financial and ethical questions.  A growing numbers of Canadians are going south to make their parenting dreams come true. John Weltman interviewed in April 2007 about how it is done, answering legal, financial and ethical questions.

Maariv, one of Israel's two main national newspapers features Circle Surrogacy in a five page article about how "an American surrogacy agency presents the new family model" to the country's gay community. The article appeared a few days ahead of a June 14th Tel Aviv seminar co-sponsored by Circle Surrogacy about "Surrogacy in the USA for Israeli Gay Men".

On September 2007, Circle Surrogacy co-sponsored for the third year a special program for New York area gay men who want to have babies. By all accounts the Men Having Babies 2007 seminar was a great success, with about 100 people in attendance and much media attention. Particularly informative was the nice article about "Helping Men Have Babies" at the New York Blade. The panel included John Weltman, Circle's president, one of our parents, Pierre and his surrogate Minette.

CBS news featured a Circle Surrogacy couple in an informative segment about breast milk options for gay men who have babies through surrogacy. Due to potential medical benefits, gay dads who have babies through surrogacy often arrange to receive pumped breast milk from the surrogates who helped them become fathers.CBS news featured a Circle Surrogacy couple in an informative segment about breast milk options for gay men who have babies through surrogacy. Due to potential medical benefits, gay dads who have babies through surrogacy often arrange to receive pumped breast milk from the surrogates who helped them become fathers.

Listen to Circle Surrogacy president and founder, John Weltman, as he discusses the advantages of known egg donations at the 2007 Men Having Babies Seminar in New York City.

Israel's popular channel 2 morning show hosted one of Circle Surrogacy's dads for an interview about the large informational seminar sponsored by Circle in Tel Aviv on June 14th, 2006. The "Surrogacy in the USA for Israeli Gay Men" seminar drew more than 60 participants, many of whom eager to join several Israeli gay couples who are already in the process of building a family with the help of Circle Surrogacy.

In a May interview John speaks about the current and future state of the agency and surrogacy in general. He also provides many interesting statistics (did you know that only one in thirty women applying to become surrogates end up being accepted?), costs breakdown and other financial information. The story includes a summary of the interview and a link for downloading or listening to the podcast.In a May interview John speaks about the current and future state of the agency and surrogacy in general. He also provides many interesting statistics (did you know that only one in thirty women applying to become surrogates end up being accepted?), costs breakdown and other financial information. The story includes a summary of the interview and a link for downloading or listening to the podcast.

An important report has just been released by the leading authority in reproductive medicine in the USA, The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). In the November 2006 issue of "Fertility and Sterility", the Ethics Committee of the ASRM published a report titled: "Access to fertility treatment by gays, lesbians,and unmarried persons". The report was written in response to the "notable trend for lesbian women and couples and, increasingly, for single and coupled gay men, to have offspring, most commonly through some form of assisted reproduction."

On November 19, 2006, Circle Surrogacy co-sponsored for the second year a special program for New York area gay men who want to have babies. The program was hosted by Center Kids, the family program of the NY LGBT Community Center. The panel included John Weltman, CS's president, one of our parents, Mike and his surrogate Dustin, among others.

WGBH, Boston's public broadcasting station, recently aired a story about Circle Surrogacy clients, the Andersons, who they describe as part of a growing number of male gay couples who chose surrogacy to become parents.. John Weltman, CS's president, states in an interview for the show that while only "4-10% of the gay population that's having children today is doing it through surrogacy", the numbers are growing enormously.

Lura Stiller, the CSS surrogate who carried Samantha for Rick and Cary three years ago, has just delivered twins for the same couple. The family was featured in a New York Times article in 2005 (see below) about relationships between gay couples and their surrogates. Samantha's little brother and a sister, Jeremy and Maggie, were born on October 16, 2006.  Lura delivered the twins via c-section and they all are doing great.

NBC’s Channel 7 New in Boston has recently aired a story titled “He’s Having a Baby”, featuring a Circle Surrogacy dad and a CS surrogate. The story describes a “growing trend, where hundreds of gay men are hiring companies like Circle Surrogacy in Boston” to become fathers, and how “more and more women are becoming egg donors or surrogates for same sex couples"

WB56 television in Boston aired a two part news program that features Rosemarie and Chris, a Circle Surrogacy couple, along with two of our surrogates, one a gestational carrier and one a traditional surrogate. It helps to explain why women choose to be surrogates and what makes them come back for more!

The New York Times has recently published an article on its front page, featuring Circle Surrogacy’s president, John Weltman and several of Circle Surrogacy’s clients and surrogates. The article describes a “growing movement of surrogate mothers choosing gay couples over traditional families” since “gay couples have developed a reputation as especially grateful clients.”

Circle Surrogacy’s president, John Weltman, along with a CS parent and a two time CS surrogate, participated in a panel discussion on “Gay Men and Reproductive Choice” on September 10th. The program offered the latest news about surrogacy, gestational carriers, egg donation, legal risks for gay parents, costs of treatment, and emotional aspects of parenting for gay men who want to have a baby.