For many LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, the path to parenthood has often been paved with legal, medical, and societal roadblocks. But times are changing. With the help of egg donation and assisted reproductive technology (ART), more LGBTQ+ families than ever are realizing their dreams of having children and doing so with pride.
Egg donation is not just a clinical process; it is a human one. It represents hope, choice, and the opportunity to build a family that reflects unconditional love regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or biological connection.
” Love Makes a Family. Science Helps Make it Happen.“
Anonymous
The Rise of LGBTQ+ Families
Family structures are evolving, and the numbers tell a story of resilience and growth. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 29 percent of same-sex couples in the U.S. are raising children. Among LGBTQ+ millennials, 63 percent say they want to become parents, with many planning to do so through IVF, surrogacy, or adoption.
Egg donation plays a key role in this family-building journey, particularly for:
- Two-dad families who need both an egg donor and a gestational surrogate
- Transgender and nonbinary individuals who may pursue egg donation depending on their medical transitions and fertility needs
- Single LGBTQ+ parents who want to build their families on their own terms
This growth in visibility is not just about numbers. It is about normalizing love in all its forms. And egg donors are helping make that possible.
Egg Donation by the Numbers
1. Overall Success Rates
Donor egg IVF boasts significantly higher success rates than standard IVF using a patient’s own eggs. Over 60 percent of fresh donor cycles lead to live births, and nearly 80 percent when combining fresh and frozen cycles. According to national U.S. data, live birth rates average 55.9 percent for fresh embryo transfers and 40.2 percent for frozen transfers from donor eggs. Cofertility reports that around 53 percent of donor egg cycles result in at least one live birth, depending on donor quality, recipient health, and clinic practices.
2. Donor Egg Quality at a Glance
97.1 percent of thawed donor eggs survive, with 59.1 percent progressing to the blastocyst stage. Of these, a remarkable 84.2 percent are chromosomally normal (euploid), which significantly boosts healthy pregnancy chances.
3. LGBTQ+ Family-Building Trends
Among single or coupled intended fathers undergoing IVF between 2016 and 2020, 69.7 percent used donor eggs and gestational carriers. These cycles reported an 85.2 percent live birth rate across embryo transfers. For lesbian couples using reciprocal IVF, live birth rates range between 41 and 60 percent depending on donor age and cycle specifics.
4. Demand and Usage in the U.S.
Donor eggs comprise about 12 percent of all U.S. IVF cycles, with roughly 16,000 to 20,000 donor-egg transfers annually. That marks a 14 percent increase over five years. These transfers result in nearly 10,000 babies born each year via donor eggs.
5. Trends in Lesbian and Solo LGBTQ+ Parenting
U.K. data shows that female same-sex couples achieve around a 31 percent birth rate per embryo transfer, compared to roughly 23 percent for heterosexual couples. Meanwhile, the share of LGBTQ+ individuals pursuing parenthood has surged. Reports from Weill Cornell indicate a jump from approximately 40 percent to nearly 80 percent of LGBTQ+ individuals expressing a desire to have children, which strongly correlates with expanded use of ART.
What This Data Means
Predictable success: Donor eggs come from young, carefully screened donors, resulting in high-quality embryos and strong birth outcomes.
Empowerment for LGBTQ+ families: Whether through surrogacy or reciprocal IVF, donor eggs allow for biological connections and personalized paths to parenthood.
A growing trend: These numbers reflect broader access, improved legal protections, and a cultural shift affirming LGBTQ+ families.
How Egg Donor First Champions Inclusive Family-Building
At Egg Donor First, we believe that every person deserves the chance to build a family, no matter their gender, relationship status, or sexual orientation. Our role is not just to match donors with recipients; it is to support a deeply personal journey rooted in trust, identity, and love.
Compassionate Matching, Tailored for Every Family
We understand that LGBTQ+ families often navigate more complex paths to parenthood. That is why our process is designed with flexibility and empathy at its core. Whether intended parents are looking for an egg donor alone or planning a full journey involving surrogacy, we work alongside clinics, legal teams, and surrogacy professionals to ensure a seamless, respectful experience.
From choosing a donor who shares your cultural background or values to understanding the unique medical timeline of LGBTQ+ IVF journeys, we provide individualized support every step of the way.
Diversity in Our Donor Pool
We are proud to maintain a diverse, inclusive database of egg donors from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and identities. This allows intended parents, especially LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, to find a donor who aligns with their hopes for their future family, whether that means shared physical traits, similar values, or a desire for open donation.
Representation matters. Visibility matters. And every match we make is a reflection of those truths.
An Ally in the Process
We do more than facilitate egg donation, we advocate for our families. Our team is trained to be culturally competent and LGBTQ+ affirming. That includes using inclusive language, respecting pronouns and family structures, and recognizing the emotional layers that come with every family-building journey.
Whether you are a two-dad household seeking both an egg donor and surrogate, a solo parent by choice, or a trans individual looking to start a family, Egg Donor First is here to support you with dignity, warmth, and clarity.
A Legacy of Love, One Family at a Time
Egg donation is more than a medical process. For many LGBTQ+ families, it is a bridge to parenthood—a way to build a life filled with milestones, memories, and meaning. It is a quiet but powerful act of connection that breaks barriers and redefines what it means to create a family.
At Egg Donor First, we are proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ community, not just during Pride Month, but every day of the year. We believe that every child deserves to come into a world where they are wanted, cherished, and deeply loved, and we are honored to be a part of that beginning.
If you are ready to take the next step, we invite you to learn more about the egg donation process or browse our egg donor database to begin your journey.
Your family may begin in an unexpected way, but it begins with love. And love makes all the difference.
