Anish & Miguel are two dads in Berlin who recently welcomed their son, Alexander, through agency-based surrogacy. And listen — some of us (cough… Jaimie… cough) approached queer family building with good vibes and very few spreadsheets. But THESE TWO? Absolute meticulous gay dad excellence. From cross-country agency visits, to karyotype testing, to annual goal-setting (“become parents” was literally on the list!), Anish and Miguel walk us through the entire surrogacy process with clarity, honesty, and so much heart. This episode is truly a surrogacy masterclass — a must-listen for anyone exploring this path.

🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways

• Surrogacy through an agency is all about trust — more than glossy brochures or fancy clinics.
• Anish & Miguel treated the process like a project: research, goal-setting, and risk assessment at every step.
• They visited multiple countries and agencies before landing on Be Parent Surrogacy in Cyprus.
• Genetic testing (karyotype screening) helped them make informed choices about their egg donor and embryos.
• Their egg donor was selected to reflect both of them, and fresh-egg IVF increased their chances of success.
• Long stretches of waiting in silence between milestones were some of the hardest emotional parts.
• Neither dad felt an instant, magical bond at birth — and they talk honestly about how connection can grow over time.
• German law still requires second-parent adoption for the non-legal parent, even after surrogacy abroad.
• Despite the legal hoops, they received full parental leave and government benefits — a big win for equality.

🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈

• Anish & Miguel are new dads living in Berlin with their four-month-old son, Alexander. After years of thoughtful planning, cross-country research, and honest conversations about what family means to them, they pursued agency-based surrogacy through Be Parent. Their story is full of intention, vulnerability, and practical guidance for queer families exploring the surrogacy path.

🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsors!

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•Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment!

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🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website

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