Magazine and online community for adoptive families including LGBTQ+ parents. For LGBTQ+ individuals and couples building families through adoption, foster, surrogacy, IUI, IVF, or co-parenting arrangements. Second-parent adoption typically takes 4–8 months and costs
,500–4,000 depending on state. About 25% of US foster youth aging out identify as LGBTQ+ — there's particular need for LGBTQ+-affirming foster families. Open at no cost to LGBTQ+ Illinois residents and the people supporting them.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
LA-based group for LGBTQ+ dads and dads-to-be — model for similar groups nationwide. A starting point for foster parents navigating training, licensure, and matching with LGBTQ+ youth in care. Fertility preservation (egg/sperm banking) is best done before hormone therapy; insurance increasingly covers this. Pre-birth orders in surrogacy let both intended parents go on the birth certificate without post-birth adoption in supportive states. Free service; donations support but never gate access.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Resources for adoption including LGBTQ+ inclusive agencies. Useful for trans people preserving fertility before hormone therapy or surgery. Most LGBTQ+ family-building orgs offer free consultations and connect you with affirming attorneys, agencies, and clinics. Reciprocal IVF (one partner provides eggs, another carries) is increasingly available and many states now require coverage. No cost — the program is grant-funded and confidentiality-protected.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Connecting donor-conceived people, parents, and donors. LGBTQ+ inclusive. Worth contacting before starting fertility treatment to understand insurance, costs, and legal protections. Foster training is free in every state and takes about 30 hours plus home study (~2–4 months total). Marriage equality made some family-building easier but second-parent adoption is still recommended for travel across hostile states. Free service; donations support but never gate access.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Family Equality's resource library for LGBTQ+ family building. For LGBTQ+ individuals and couples building families through adoption, foster, surrogacy, IUI, IVF, or co-parenting arrangements. Foster training is free in every state and takes about 30 hours plus home study (~2–4 months total). Adoption tax credit (
5,950 in 2026) applies regardless of marital status or orientation. Free, confidential, and open to anyone in the LGBTQ+ community.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Frequently Asked
- How many family building resources are in Illinois?
- Pride Corner tracks 16 verified family building resources for the LGBTQ+ community in Illinois.
- Are family building resources in Illinois free?
- 16 of the 16 listed family building resources in Illinois are explicitly free or low-cost.
- Which cities in Illinois have family building resources?
- Resources serve multiple cities and counties in Illinois.
- What are some examples of family building resources in Illinois?
- Featured entries include Family Equality, Men Having Babies, RESOLVE — National Infertility Association, All Families Surrogacy, National Center for Lesbian Rights — Family.
- Do these listings include phone numbers?
- 0 of 16 Illinois family building listings include verified phone numbers.