Best Parenting Books for Gay Dads-to-be

Raising children as a gay dad can come with its own set of challenges and joys. From egg donation and surrogacy, to dealing with societal stereotypes and discrimination, gay dads often have to navigate a unique set of experiences. That's why it's important to have a support system and resources to help guide you through the journey of fatherhood. 

One such resource is reading books written by other gay dads or experts on the subject. In this article, we've compiled a list of the five best books for gay dads-to-be, covering everything from the legal and practical aspects of building a family, to personal reflections and experiences of raising children. These books offer support, guidance, and understanding for the gay dad experience, and promote acceptance and love for all types of families. We hope they help guide and support you on this journey! 

“The Ultimate Guide for Gay Dads: Everything You Need to Know About LGBTQ Parenting But Are (Mostly) Afraid to Ask” by Eric Rosswood 

The book: This book provides a comprehensive guide for gay dads on the journey to parenthood, covering topics such as egg donation, surrogacy, adoption, and co-parenting. It also includes practical advice on navigating the unique challenges of raising children as a gay parent.

The author: Eric Rosswood is a gay dad, author, and advocate for LGBTQ+ families. He has been featured in various media outlets and is a regular speaker on the subject of gay parenting. He is a dedicated parent and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and is passionate about sharing his experiences and helping others on their journey to parenthood.

Why we love it: The author writes from personal experience and provides practical advice on a wide range of topics. The book is also very accessible and well-organized!

“Does This Baby Make Me Look Straight?: Confessions of a Gay Dad” by Dan Bucatinsky

The book: A collection of snort-milk-through-your-nose funny stories of parenthood that will obliterate the boundaries of gender and sexual orientation, and sweep readers up on a journey into fatherhood—warts and all.

The author: Dan Bucatinsky wrote, produced, and starred in the indie romantic comedy All Over the Guy and is currently a co-creator and co-star of the acclaimed web-to-television Showtime series Web Therapy. He continues to act, write, and produce for film and television. He lives in California.

Why we love it: We love the author’s vulnerability and candidness in sharing his personal story. He writes with humor and sincerity, and it makes for a very relatable and engaging read. 

"Gay Dads: A Celebration of Fatherhood" by David Strah

The book:  This book features interviews and photographs of gay dads from around the world, providing a glimpse into the diverse and rewarding experiences of gay fatherhood.

The author: Gay Dads includes twenty-five personal accounts from men describing their unique journeys to fatherhood and the struggles and successes they have experienced as they raise their children. It was put together by gay dad David Strah, who has two masters degrees; one in Clinical Psychology and the other in Spiritual Psychology.

Why we love it: While it’s a little old (published in 2004), this iconic book provides an expansive exploration into the lives of families led by two men. With beautiful black-and-white photographs of each of the families, Gay Dads is a moving tribute to familial love.

“Journey to Same-Sex Parenthood: Firsthand Advice, Tips and Stories from Lesbian and Gay Couples” by Eric Rosswood

The book: Author, activist and father Eric Rosswood guides and helps prospective LGBTQ+ parents to explore these five popular options: Adoption, Foster Care, Assisted Reproduction, Surrogacy and Co-Parenting. Each section includes a description of the specific family-building approach, followed by personal stories from same-sex couples and individuals who have chosen and gone through that particular journey.

The author: Eric Rosswood (also author of the first book listed in this article).

Why we love it: We were moved by the 19 compelling first-person vignettes shared by individuals and couples who were able to create their families in spite of the challenges they faced.

“Three Dads and a Baby: Adventures in Modern Parenting” by Ian Jenkins 

The book: This book details the adventures of three dads, and the two women who help them have children. The author explores the legal and social tribulations, adventures, and triumphs of his unconventional family. This charming book is required reading for laypeople to legal scholars and anyone else who is interested in getting lots of information about expanded families in an entertainingly smart style.

The authors: Ian Jenkins, M.D., is a hospital physician, quality and safety specialist, and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego. He is part of a gay throuple that made history as the first polyamorous family to list three fathers on birth certificate

Why we love it: This is the only book out there on throuple parenting!

"And Tango Makes Three" by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

The book: "And Tango Makes Three" is a heartwarming children's book that tells the true story of two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo in New York City who raise a baby penguin named Tango.

The authors: Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell are a married couple who co-wrote "And Tango Makes Three" based on the real-life story of the penguins, Roy and Silo, who formed a bond and successfully hatched an egg together at the zoo.

Why we love it: We love how "And Tango Makes Three" celebrates love, diversity, and family in a gentle and accessible way for young readers. The story of two male penguins raising a baby penguin challenges traditional gender roles and helps children understand that families come in all shapes and sizes. The illustrations are beautiful, and the writing is simple yet powerful, making it a great-read aloud book for parents or teachers.

Overall, "And Tango Makes Three" is a touching and thought-provoking children's book that promotes tolerance, acceptance, and love. It's a great resource for families who want to teach their children about different kinds of families and the importance of love and acceptance. We highly recommend it!

Not ready to add another book to your reading list? You can also find loads of free articles on egg donation and LGBTQ+ parenting on our site. 

Cofertility is a human-first fertility ecosystem rewriting the egg freezing and egg donation experience. Our Family by Co platform serves as a more transparent, ethical egg donor matching platform. We are obsessed with improving the family-building journey — today or in the future — and are in an endless pursuit to make these experiences more positive.