Australian sperm donors

Public image and private motives of gay, bisexual and heterosexual donors

Bibliographic Data

ID3657269
AuthorsMargie Ripper (The University of Adelaide, corresponding author)
Year2008
Volume17
Issue3
Pages313-325
Publication date2008-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Sociology Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1446-1242 • E-ISSN: 1839-3551
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.5172/hesr.451.17.3.313
OpenAlexW2010321202
LanguageEN
Citations received10

This paper contributes to debate in Australia about sexuality-based restrictions on access to Assisted Reproduction Services, particularly sperm donation by gay and bisexual men. It utilises content analysis of print-media and reveals that the public image of sperm donation is saturated with concern about risk, particularly risk to heterosexual donors and their property, from claims made by recipient women and their children. In contrast, a detailed analysis of the profiles of men who register to donate sperm through the Australian Sperm Donor Registry reveals that most donors are open to identity disclosure. However a marked difference is evident between heterosexual and gay/bisexual donors with the latter being significantly more likely to desire contact with children born of their donations. It appears sperm donation offers gay and bi/ sexual men an opportunity for family formation and parenting which is denied by Australian laws and clinical practices that exclude them from Assisted Reproduction Services and adoption

Andrology · Biology · Donation · Egg donation · Gynecology · Human sexuality · Political science · Reproduction · Sociology · Sperm · Sperm donation · Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences · Gender Studies · Law · Medicine · Reproductive Health and Contraception · Reproductive Health and Technologies

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub