Close button
Cofertility and &Mother are proud to introduce Level the Playing Field, an initiative to help promote fertility freedom for women in sports
Cofertility Logo
Find your match
About
About UsWhy CoBaby GuaranteeLGBTQ+Why Egg Sharing
LearnFAQsPricing
LoginFind your match
Family by Co favicon
Learn
/
Best Parenting Books for Gay Dads-to-be
LGBTQ+

Best Parenting Books for Gay Dads-to-be

by
Halle Tecco, MPH, MBA
January 19, 2023
Last updated:
November 12, 2024
Dad and daughter laying on bed and looking up while reading a book.

Raising children as a gay dad can come with its own set of challenges and joys. From egg donation and surrogacy, to dealing with societal stereotypes and discrimination, gay dads often have to navigate a unique set of experiences. That's why it's important to have a support system and resources to help guide you through the journey of fatherhood. 

One such resource is reading books written by other gay dads or experts on the subject. In this article, we've compiled a list of the five best books for gay dads-to-be, covering everything from the legal and practical aspects of building a family, to personal reflections and experiences of raising children. These books offer support, guidance, and understanding for the gay dad experience, and promote acceptance and love for all types of families. We hope they help guide and support you on this journey! 

“The Ultimate Guide for Gay Dads: Everything You Need to Know About LGBTQ Parenting But Are (Mostly) Afraid to Ask” by Eric Rosswood 

The book: This book provides a comprehensive guide for gay dads on the journey to parenthood, covering topics such as egg donation, surrogacy, adoption, and co-parenting. It also includes practical advice on navigating the unique challenges of raising children as a gay parent.

The author: Eric Rosswood is a gay dad, author, and advocate for LGBTQ+ families. He has been featured in various media outlets and is a regular speaker on the subject of gay parenting. He is a dedicated parent and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and is passionate about sharing his experiences and helping others on their journey to parenthood.

Why we love it: The author writes from personal experience and provides practical advice on a wide range of topics. The book is also very accessible and well-organized!

“Does This Baby Make Me Look Straight?: Confessions of a Gay Dad” by Dan Bucatinsky

The book: A collection of snort-milk-through-your-nose funny stories of parenthood that will obliterate the boundaries of gender and sexual orientation, and sweep readers up on a journey into fatherhood—warts and all.

The author: Dan Bucatinsky wrote, produced, and starred in the indie romantic comedy All Over the Guy and is currently a co-creator and co-star of the acclaimed web-to-television Showtime series Web Therapy. He continues to act, write, and produce for film and television. He lives in California.

Why we love it: We love the author’s vulnerability and candidness in sharing his personal story. He writes with humor and sincerity, and it makes for a very relatable and engaging read. 

"Gay Dads: A Celebration of Fatherhood" by David Strah

The book:  This book features interviews and photographs of gay dads from around the world, providing a glimpse into the diverse and rewarding experiences of gay fatherhood.

The author: Gay Dads includes twenty-five personal accounts from men describing their unique journeys to fatherhood and the struggles and successes they have experienced as they raise their children. It was put together by gay dad David Strah, who has two masters degrees; one in Clinical Psychology and the other in Spiritual Psychology.

Why we love it: While it’s a little old (published in 2004), this iconic book provides an expansive exploration into the lives of families led by two men. With beautiful black-and-white photographs of each of the families, Gay Dads is a moving tribute to familial love.

“Journey to Same-Sex Parenthood: Firsthand Advice, Tips and Stories from Lesbian and Gay Couples” by Eric Rosswood

The book: Author, activist and father Eric Rosswood guides and helps prospective LGBTQ+ parents to explore these five popular options: Adoption, Foster Care, Assisted Reproduction, Surrogacy and Co-Parenting. Each section includes a description of the specific family-building approach, followed by personal stories from same-sex couples and individuals who have chosen and gone through that particular journey.

The author: Eric Rosswood (also author of the first book listed in this article).

Why we love it: We were moved by the 19 compelling first-person vignettes shared by individuals and couples who were able to create their families in spite of the challenges they faced.

“Three Dads and a Baby: Adventures in Modern Parenting” by Ian Jenkins 

The book: This book details the adventures of three dads, and the two women who help them have children. The author explores the legal and social tribulations, adventures, and triumphs of his unconventional family. This charming book is required reading for laypeople to legal scholars and anyone else who is interested in getting lots of information about expanded families in an entertainingly smart style.

The authors: Ian Jenkins, M.D., is a hospital physician, quality and safety specialist, and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego. He is part of a gay throuple that made history as the first polyamorous family to list three fathers on birth certificate

Why we love it: This is the only book out there on throuple parenting!

"And Tango Makes Three" by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

The book: "And Tango Makes Three" is a heartwarming children's book that tells the true story of two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo in New York City who raise a baby penguin named Tango.

The authors: Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell are a married couple who co-wrote "And Tango Makes Three" based on the real-life story of the penguins, Roy and Silo, who formed a bond and successfully hatched an egg together at the zoo.

Why we love it: We love how "And Tango Makes Three" celebrates love, diversity, and family in a gentle and accessible way for young readers. The story of two male penguins raising a baby penguin challenges traditional gender roles and helps children understand that families come in all shapes and sizes. The illustrations are beautiful, and the writing is simple yet powerful, making it a great-read aloud book for parents or teachers.

Overall, "And Tango Makes Three" is a touching and thought-provoking children's book that promotes tolerance, acceptance, and love. It's a great resource for families who want to teach their children about different kinds of families and the importance of love and acceptance. We highly recommend it!

Not ready to add another book to your reading list? You can also find loads of free articles on egg donation and LGBTQ+ parenting on our site. 

Cofertility is a human-first fertility ecosystem rewriting the egg freezing and egg donation experience. Our Family by Co platform serves as a more transparent, ethical egg donor matching platform. We are obsessed with improving the family-building journey — today or in the future — and are in an endless pursuit to make these experiences more positive. 

Find your match
Halle Tecco, MPH, MBA

Halle Tecco is the Chair and co-founder of Cofertility and is a healthcare founder investor, and women's health advocate. She previously founded Rock Health and then Natalist (acquired by Everly Health). She is a Board Director at Resolve and an Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School. Halle received her MBA from Harvard Business School and her MPH from Johns Hopkins University with a concentration in Women’s and Reproductive Health.

Read more from
Halle Tecco, MPH, MBA
Tags
LGBTQ+ family building
Share
Twitter icon
Facebook icon
LinkedIn icon

Keep learning

View all
Baby in sling being held by dad.
LGBTQ+

How to Start a Family as a Single Dad by Choice

There are a few options for building your family as a single dad by choice. We're here to share advice and resources to help you on your path to parenthood.

Read more
Instagram icon
Dad holding baby, while the other dad smiles at the baby while holding a bottle.
LGBTQ+

Five Helpful Questions Gay Dads Should Answer Before Starting a Family

Becoming a parent is a huge life change for anyone, and requires a lot of planning and thought. Here are some helpful questions to consider as you begin your journey.

Read more
Instagram icon
Baby looking down over camera while laying in a man's arms.
LGBTQ+

LGBTQ+ Fertility Information and Resources

For LGBTQ+ individuals and families, what once seemed to be impossible, is now possible. Read on for a non-comprehensive and ever-changing guide of information and resources for families looking to start families. 

Read more
Instagram icon
Baby in sling being held by dad.
LGBTQ+

How to Start a Family as a Single Dad by Choice

There are a few options for building your family as a single dad by choice. We're here to share advice and resources to help you on your path to parenthood.

Read more
Instagram icon
Dad holding baby, while the other dad smiles at the baby while holding a bottle.
LGBTQ+

Five Helpful Questions Gay Dads Should Answer Before Starting a Family

Becoming a parent is a huge life change for anyone, and requires a lot of planning and thought. Here are some helpful questions to consider as you begin your journey.

Read more
Instagram icon
Baby looking down over camera while laying in a man's arms.
LGBTQ+

LGBTQ+ Fertility Information and Resources

For LGBTQ+ individuals and families, what once seemed to be impossible, is now possible. Read on for a non-comprehensive and ever-changing guide of information and resources for families looking to start families. 

Read more
Instagram icon
Left arrow icon
Right arrow icon
View all articles
Instagram icon
X icon
LinkedIn icon
About Cofertility
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • For Clinics
  • Press
  • LGBTQIA+ Support
Our ecosystem
  • Freeze by Co
  • Family by Co
Label
While our egg freezing programs are for people with ovaries, we respect the reproductive identity, rights, and choices for all.
Cofertility logo
This site is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you're looking for medical advice, we suggest talking with a qualified physician.
© 2025 Cofertility. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use. Privacy Policy.
Let's keep in touch.
Thanks for submitting your email!
We’re excited to keep in touch.
Something went wrong while submitting the form. Please try again.
By submitting your email you agree to our Terms of Use and agree that we can contact you as described in our Privacy Policy.
Member of the ASRM (American Society for Reproductive Medicine) logoLGBTQ+ Friendly BusinessResolve Proud Partner logoProud to be Women-Owned

By using Cofertility's sites, you agree to our use of cookies to enhance your browser experience, personalize offers and content, and analyze our traffic. Learn more in our Privacy Policy.

Accept