Creating Inclusive Paths to Parenthood
If you’re LGBTQ+ and considering fertility treatment, there may be a question in the back of your mind before you ever schedule an appointment.
Will this be a place where I can simply be myself?
Not explain myself.
Not define my relationship.
Not wonder whether the people sitting across from me understand what my family looks like—or what I hope it will become.
At The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services (CARS), we believe those questions matter.
The way a person experiences care is shaped long before a treatment plan is created. It begins with a phone call. A form. A conversation. It is reflected in the language we use, the questions we ask, and the assumptions we leave behind.
That commitment is reflected in CARS’ recognition as a 2026 LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Builder in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI).
While we are honored by the designation, what matters most is what it represents: an ongoing commitment to creating an environment where individuals and families can focus on building their futures—not explaining who they are.
More Than a Designation
When people hear that CARS has been recognized as a 2026 LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Builder, they often think of it as an award.
In reality, it is much more than that.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index is the nation’s leading benchmarking tool for evaluating LGBTQ+ inclusion in healthcare organizations. The process requires healthcare organizations to take a close look at how people experience care at every stage of their interaction with a practice.
It asks us to examine our forms.
Our language.
Our policies.
Our training.
Our systems.
And sometimes, our assumptions.
The Healthcare Equality Index challenges organizations to ask difficult but important questions:
- Do our forms reflect the diverse individuals and families we serve?
- Is our language welcoming and inclusive?
- Are our team members equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to provide affirming care?
- Are we creating an environment where people feel respected and represented?
In other words, it asks us to do the work.
And that work never really ends.
“Recognition is meaningful. The work is ongoing.”
A Team Effort in Every Sense of the Word
No one earns this designation alone.
Not the physicians.
Not the nurses.
Not the embryologists.
Not the patient coordinators.
Not the financial counselors.
Not the laboratory professionals.
Not the administrators.
Every person who answers a phone call, greets a visitor, updates a form, explains a procedure, or helps someone navigate a difficult decision contributes to the experience a person has at CARS.
That is why this recognition belongs to the entire team.
Creating an inclusive environment is not the responsibility of one department or one annual initiative. It requires a shared commitment across the organization and a willingness to continuously learn, listen, and improve.
We are incredibly proud of the people who make that commitment every day.
Family Building Is Personal
There is no single path to parenthood.
Some families are built through donor sperm.
Others through donor eggs.
Some through reciprocal IVF, fertility preservation, gestational carriers, or embryo donation.
And many involve a combination of hope, resilience, science, and love.
Our role is not to define what a family should look like.
Our role is to help you understand your options, answer your questions, and support you as you make decisions that align with your goals and vision for the future.
Every family-building story is unique.
That is one of the things we love most about this work.
Looking Ahead
The Healthcare Equality Builder designation reflects values that have guided CARS for many years.
Compassion.
Respect.
Patient advocacy.
Education.
And a belief that family building should be accessible to everyone.
We are grateful to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for this recognition and to every person who has trusted us to be part of their story.
Most of all, we are grateful to the CARS team members who show up every day committed to creating a better experience for the individuals and families we serve.
Because family building is deeply personal.
And everyone should feel respected while pursuing the family they envision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI)?
The Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), published annually by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, is the nation’s leading benchmarking tool for evaluating LGBTQ+ inclusion and equity in healthcare organizations.
What does LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Builder mean?
The designation recognizes healthcare organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion through policies, practices, education, and patient experience initiatives.
Does CARS provide fertility care for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples?
Yes. CARS supports LGBTQ+ individuals and couples through a variety of family-building pathways, including donor conception, reciprocal IVF, fertility preservation, gestational carrier arrangements, and more.
What family-building options are available for LGBTQ+ families?
Options may include donor sperm, donor eggs, reciprocal IVF, fertility preservation, gestational carriers, embryo donation, and other assisted reproductive technologies. Our team works closely with each individual or couple to help determine the path that best aligns with their goals.
Explore LGBTQ+ Family-Building Options
Whether you’re considering reciprocal IVF, donor conception, fertility preservation, or other pathways to parenthood, our team is here to help you understand your options.