What Does It Mean to Give a Gift? The gift giving season is in full force. It has been over a week since Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but we are still seeing some Cyber week deals. Even today has been deemed "Green Monday" by retailers in their latest attempt to lure shoppers. So, yes, gift buying and giving is in full force!

Relationship and dating experts tackled this hot topic on a recent YourTango discussion group about the growth of LGBT couples having their own children through third-party reproduction or adoption.

Gay parents give thanks often: When we settle on a reproductive method we feel comfortable with. When one partner, or a surrogate, becomes pregnant. When we welcome a new baby into our family.

A Documentary of Gay Parenting and Love World-renowned songwriter Desmond Child is known for songs like "Livin' On A Prayer" and "(Dude) Looks Like A Lady", but he is also known as "Dad" to his two sons Roman and Niro. Twelve years ago, Desmond and his lifelong partner Curtis Shaw began the journey to parenthood and filmed the entire process of creating their family. TWO: The Story of Roman and Niro documents everything- from the preconception, to the boys growing up with two dads and their relationship with Angela Whittaker, their surrogate.

Part 1: Can You Believe They Said That? Creating a family is tough enough. The last thing you need is to hear insensitive, uninformed, even ignorant comments about what you’re trying so hard to do.

All photos are copyright of Triangle Community Center and SophterLight Photography On October 5, Norwalk’s Triangle Community Center (TCC) held its seventh annual Visionary Party celebrating the LGBT community and its influential leaders. This year’s “Denim & Diamonds” theme brought out a multitude of cowboy hats and bedazzled outfits. Along with being an evening of dining and dancing, the night was also a fundraiser for the TCC to support its mission of serving the LGBT community in Fairfield County, CT. In addition to the silent auction, the TCC presented three honorees with Commitment to Service Awards.

Last week we started a conversation about negative, hurtful and/or insensitive comments that you have received around expanding your family to include a child. We were overwhelmed by the responses. They were heartfelt but also extremely real and genuine. We have taken your responses and used them as inspiration for a future blog post to come. Stay tuned for this blog in the coming weeks.

When I was ready for a baby, getting pregnant was a much bigger ordeal than I ever could have imagined. It cost more financially and emotionally than my husband and I were in any way prepared to handle. While the financial cost was tremendously challenging, the emotional cost was far greater. Especially when it came to relationships and what one could and could not expect.

These Days Surrogacy is All Over the News Baby stories are a long-running, surefire best-selling subject for celebrity magazines.

There are certain times of year that LGBTQ singles or couples may be more aware of their family status, especially if they're considering a future with children. Holidays can be difficult, if your nosy aunt keeps asking, "When are you going to have kids?" after dinner. Back to school time may also bring this topic to mind. Not only is this time rich with a feeling of new beginnings, but seeing friends post social media photos with their little ones getting on the bus for the first time can leave you asking, "When will it be my time to build my family?" Read more to hear how some Gay Parent To Be cope with back to school while TTC, or thinking about building a family. Like many women in their mid-30s, Rachel struggles with becoming a parent. She’s waiting for the right partner, juggling a career and grad school, and worried about finances. A lesbian, she’ll need to use IVF, insemination or adoption to have a child.

The Super Yuck Factor after Windsor and Hollingsworth How far did we really get in advancing the rights of same-sex families created through third-party assisted reproduction?