Famous Gay Dads We Adore

Today, LGBTQ+ dads have more options than ever before to become parents of their own biological children. Egg donation and surrogacy are increasingly becoming viable options for men who may not have been able to start a family through traditional means. With celebrities such as Neil Patrick Harris, Elton John, Tan France, Anderson Cooper, and Ricky Martin all becoming  dads through egg donation and surrogacy, there is a growing trend of men taking control of their reproductive futures and creating families in the way that works best for them. 

Celebrity single dads 

Roughly 20% of single-parent households are single fathers, a group that has grown substantially in the past few decades. Here are some of our favorite gay dads who ventured out on their own:

Andy Cohen is another famous celebrity single father who used surrogacy to start a family. He has two children, born in 2019 and 2022 via surrogacy. In a statement announcing the birth of his first child, Cohen wrote “Family means everything to me, and having one of my own is something I’ve wanted in my heart for my entire life, and though it’s taken me longer than most to get there, I cannot wait for what I envision will be the most rewarding chapter yet.”

Perez Hilton, celebrity blogger, became a single father in 2013 to a baby boy, born via a surrogate. He then had daughters via surrogates in 2015 and 2017.

Ricky Martin is a celebrity father who has used surrogacy to start a family. In 2008, he welcomed twins Valentino and Matteo as a single parent through surrogacy. Martin has said that he chose surrogacy as a faster option than adoption, and he approached the process with no fear. Ten years later, Martin and his now husband, Jwan Yosef, welcomed their first daughter, Lucia, together through surrogacy. In 2019, they added a fourth child, a son named Renn, to their family through surrogacy as well. Martin has been open about his experience with surrogacy and has used his platform to advocate for equal rights and opportunities for all parents. 

Jose Rolon, the Instagram and TikTok star behind the handle @nycgaydad, had a son Avery via surrogacy with his husband Tim Merrell. However, Tim tragically passed when Avery was 9 months old and their surrogate was 11 weeks pregnant with their twin daughters. Jose has raised all three children as a single parent since then, an experience he regularly shares on his social media handles. 

Famous gay dads through surrogacy and egg donation

Nate Berkus, famed interior designer and TV personality and his husband Jeremiah Brent welcomed their two children, Poppy (2015) and Oskar (2018), into their family. Berkus said this in an Instagram post after the birth of Oskar: “We have waited for you, we already love you, and we as a family stand on the shoulders of so many people who have made it possible for families like ours to continue to grow.”

Anderson Cooper is a celebrity father who has used surrogacy to start a family. In 2020, Cooper announced that he had welcomed his first son, Wyatt, via surrogate. He expressed his gratitude to the surrogate who carried Wyatt and gave birth to him, and he acknowledged the sacrifices that surrogates make for families who are unable to have children. In 2022, Cooper announced the birth of his second son, Sebastian, also via surrogate. Cooper and his parenting partner Benjamin Maisani are raising both of their children together. He has been open about his experience with surrogacy and has used his platform to advocate for equal rights and opportunities for all parents.

Tan France, star of the popular TV show "Queer Eye," and his husband, Rob, welcomed their son, Ismail, through surrogacy in July 2021. France announced the news of their surrogacy journey on Instagram in April 2021, sharing that they were excited to become parents with the help of a surrogate. 

Neil Patrick Harris and his husband, David Burtka, welcomed twins Harper and Gideon through surrogacy in 2010. Harris has been open about his experience with surrogacy, discussing it in interviews and on social media. He has also spoken about the challenges of being a single dad in the entertainment industry, stating that "it's hard to be a working parent, it's hard to be a single parent, and it's hard to be a gay parent." Despite these challenges, Harris has been able to balance his career with his role as a father and has been praised for his dedication to his family.

Elton John and his husband, David Furnish, welcomed their two sons, Zachary and Elijah, through surrogacy in 2010 and 2013, respectively. John has been open about his struggles with fertility and his decision to use surrogacy as a way to start a family. He has also been vocal about the importance of LGBTQ+ families and has spoken out about the need for equal rights and opportunities for all parents.

Celebrity single dads who have built families through egg/embryo donation and surrogacy have used reproductive technology as a way to become parents on their own terms. These men have faced the added pressure of being in the public eye while navigating the complexities of building a family through these methods, so their stories are all the more impactful.

Egg donation and surrogacy provide single dads with the opportunity to experience the joys of parenthood in a way that is tailored to their individual needs and goals. For men who are considering this option, it’s important to research the process and understand the various steps involved. In addition, it’s important to find a platform that can provide the necessary resources and support throughout the journey. With the right information and support, single dads can create the families of their dreams through egg donation and surrogacy.

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. Create a free account today!