30 April 2026

From Barriers to Belonging: What The Familymakers Show Tells Us About the Future

On Saturday 18th April, 600 people walked through the doors of the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London for the fourth Familymakers Show — and the energy in the room felt like something that has been a long time in the making. Because in many ways, it has.

Where We Started

In the 1980s and 1990s, fertility care in the UK looked very different for LGBTQIA+ individuals and same-sex couples. Access to treatment was shaped not just by clinical need but by prevailing societal attitudes — and for many, the answer from clinics was simply no.

Within that landscape, pioneers at London Women's Clinic — including Dr Kamal Ahuja, our Scientific and Managing Director, and Mimi Arian-Schad, our Director of Nursing and Person Responsible to the HFEA — were among those working to reshape how fertility care was delivered. Not by waiting for the culture to change, but by changing it themselves.

The tabloids at the time dubbed Dr Ahuja "the gayby doctor." London Women's Clinic wore that label with pride then. We wear it with pride now.

What followed over the decades was a gradual but fundamental shift — towards greater inclusivity, clearer pathways and a fertility sector that increasingly recognised that the desire to build a family is universal, even if the routes to it are not. Familymakers is where that history becomes visible. Not as something in the past, but as something that continues to shape how care is delivered, experienced and understood today.

What the Familymakers Show Actually Is

Now in its second year and having travelled to cities across the UK, the Familymakers Show is unlike any other fertility event. It is not a clinical open day. It is not a sales environment. It is a community gathering — joyful, affirming and created specifically for LGBTQIA+ individuals, same-sex couples and everyone exploring what family building looks like for them.

The London event brought together over 600 attendees at every stage of their journey, alongside a carefully chosen community of exhibitors including Paths to Parenthub, Access Fertility, DIVA magazine, Donor Conception Network, Nappy Endings Surrogacy Agency, London Egg Bank and London Sperm Bank — charities, community platforms, fertility finance providers and queer support groups, all under one roof.

The partnership with DIVA magazine sits at the heart of what makes Familymakers work. The collaboration brings together London Women's Clinic's clinical expertise and DIVA's deep roots within the lesbian, bisexual and queer community — creating a space where attendees arrive not as patients navigating a medical system, but as people who belong.

No LGBTQIA+ person exploring fertility treatment should have to feel alone in that process. The Familymakers Show exists to make sure they don't.

The Conversations That Mattered

What sets Familymakers apart from a standard fertility event is the quality and honesty of the conversations it creates. Across the day, speakers covered egg freezing, surrogacy, donor eggs and sperm, reciprocal IVF, IUI, accessible IVF and fertility coaching — not as a curriculum, but as a conversation.

Kit Morey shared their personal story with the room — the kind of first-person account that no clinical brochure can replicate, and that reminds every person in the audience that their path is valid and possible.

Data Scientist & Communications Lead at LWC, Jemma Garratt presented on how data is changing treatment approaches — a powerful reminder that inclusive fertility care is not just about access, but about the ongoing work of making sure that the science itself reflects the diversity of the people it serves.

Patient advocates returned to the stage to share their journeys, including Jake and Hannah Graf, whose visibility and openness about their own fertility journeys and family continues to shift what feels possible for others.

And Dr Lamanna — a fertility specialist herself — shared something that stopped the room: that 12 years ago she froze her own eggs, and last year she had a baby from that freeze. It was a reminder that fertility care is deeply human work, on both sides of the consultation table.

What LGBTQIA+ Fertility Care Looks Like at London Women's Clinic

For anyone reading this who is exploring their own fertility options, here is what London Women's Clinic can offer:

IUI with donor sperm — for single women and same-sex female couples, IUI is often the simplest and most accessible starting point, with donor sperm from London Sperm Bank.
IVF and ICSI — for same-sex female couples and single women where IUI has not been successful or is not clinically appropriate.
Reciprocal IVF — one of the most profound ways a same-sex female couple can share the journey, with one partner providing the eggs and the other carrying the baby. Both partners are biologically connected to the child they bring into the world together.
Surrogacy with donor eggs — for same-sex male couples and single men, our team coordinates the full surrogacy pathway, with access to donor eggs through London Egg Bank.
Egg freezing — for anyone who wants to take control of their fertility on their own terms.
Donor conception guidance — London Egg Bank and London Sperm Bank give patients direct access to two of the UK's most established and diverse donor programmes, with expert support throughout the selection process.

All treatments are available with 0% finance across our clinics, and our team has been supporting LGBTQIA+ patients since before it was standard practice. Whoever you are and however you are building your family, you will be welcomed here.

Why This Matters Beyond the Event

Six hundred people in a room on a Saturday in April is significant. But what The Familymakers Show represents is bigger than a single day.

It is evidence that the fertility sector has changed — and continues to change — in response to the real and diverse needs of the people it serves. It is a reminder that access to information, community and expert guidance should not depend on your sexual orientation, your gender identity or your relationship structure.

And it is a demonstration that London Women's Clinic's commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusive fertility care is not a marketing position. It is a founding principle, built into this organisation over four decades, expressed in the treatment pathways we have developed, the barriers we have helped to dismantle, and the families we have had the privilege of helping to build.

The fifth Familymakers Show is already in the diary. We hope to see you there.

Are you exploring fertility treatment as an LGBTQIA+ individual or couple? Our experienced team is here to guide you through every pathway, with honest, expert and inclusive support from the very first conversation.

All of our blog posts are written, edited, or produced by the London Women's Clinic Content Team. This is a collaboration between our expert writers, health editors, and the leading researchers and senior doctors at our Harley Street clinic.

‘We have two beautiful children - our family wouldn't exist without LWC Brentwood. Can't recommend them highly enough; IVF is an emotional rollercoaster regardless of your journey and we were supported at every step. Pricing is transparent and easy to understand, with payment plans available that made accessing any treatment and medication very flexible and affordable. The clinic became such a part of our lives for that short time, the care and support is so important and LWC Brentwood were brilliant. Maybe we will see them again for number 3!’

Victoria Hayman

10 November 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the entire team for supporting me throughout my IVF journey. I am delighted to share that I had a positive pregnancy test following my very first IVF cycle fresh embryo transfer, and I am now 9 weeks pregnant! The staff at the LWC Colchester satellite clinic are very supportive, approachable and always do their best to help you at every stage of the journey. I would definitely recommend LWC Colchester to anyone considering fertility treatment. A special thank you to Dr Timea Kovats, a highly experienced, knowledgeable and to the wonderful staff Jackie, Annette, Tracey. Their excellent guidance, expertise, care and supportive approach played a significant role in making my first IVF cycle successful. I am truly grateful for their dedication, encouragement and support throughout this journey. I am equally grateful to all the staff at Colchester satellite clinic and the London main clinic for their care and support throughout the entire process. Thank you once again for helping us achieve such a special milestone in our lives. We will always be grateful for your support! ❤️’

jigu

10 November 2026, LWC Colchester

‘Friendly, experienced and professional team. Supported throughout the entire process and would highly recommend.’

Mizzee West

10 November 2026, LWC Brighton

‘The nursing team are so friendly and so supportive. Made everything so much better and easier to go through egg freezing.’

Megan Godber

10 November 2026, LWC Brighton

‘We had a great experience as the team here are very knowledgeable and caring and they made us feel taken care of throughout! Big shout out to Rute & Trianni for their care and support 😊’

Chiamaka Nelson

9 November 2026, LWC Cambridge

‘The team here are very kind and helpful and made the journey completely painless! They kept us informed throughout the process and were always responsive when we had questioned’

Aruna Nelson

9 November 2026, LWC Cambridge

‘They've given us wonderful service very easy to be around. Very good communication, and very good at helping us out with everything they've done so far.’

Jessica Norman

9 November 2026, LWC Oxford

‘We had a fantastic experience with LWC, Dr Rimington’s passion and expertise were second to none and we strongly believe that he is the reason for our success. All the staff were lovely, helpful and kind - we will definitely use LWC again’

Hannah Hale

9 November 2026, LWC Brighton

‘I honestly cannot recommend this fertility clinic highly enough. From the very beginning, the care, compassion and support we received were absolutely exceptional. Going through fertility treatment is an incredibly emotional journey, with so many ups and downs, but the team made us feel supported, listened to and genuinely cared for every step of the way. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble, and every member of staff we encountered was kind, understanding, professional and reassuring. What really stood out was how personal the experience felt. We never felt like just another number. The team took the time to answer our questions, put our minds at ease and guide us through what can sometimes feel like an overwhelming process. We are incredibly grateful for everything they have done for us and will never forget the part they have played in helping us grow our family. We now have our little miracles, and we couldn't be more thankful. If you're considering fertility treatment, I would wholeheartedly recommend LWC. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping make our dream come true! ❤️’

Emma Hayman

8 November 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘Had a really positive experience visiting the Oxford Clinic. Nurse Manager Liv, took time to make me us feel at ease and explained how the appointment will go. Thank you!’

Kinga Arcana-Jones

7 November 2026, LWC Oxford

‘Everyone my partner and I have interacted with at the Oxford clinic has been warm, friendly and knowledgeable. They’ve really helped make a very daunting process easier to go through and I’m very glad we chose this clinic!’

Jess Palmer

5 November 2026, LWC Oxford

‘Very friendly staff and a lovely inclusive environment, had a wonderful experience here. Highly recommend for anyone looking at fertility preservation.’

T Ilagan

5 November 2026, LWC Oxford

‘As an LGBTQ couple we found LWC Colchester incredibly supportive, no question was too much. They were friendly and welcoming, with modern facilities, and made your journey feel very personalised. We would highly recommend them for your fertility journey.’

Jasmine Colman

5 November 2026, LWC Colchester

‘A massive thank you to Dom and Dr Vasquez for all of their help throughout the process!’

James Purcell

5 November 2026, LWC Tunbridge Wells

‘Me and my husband can’t thank everyone at London Women’s Clinic enough for all the care and support throughout our recent treatment. Everything went really well, and we are so grateful to all the doctors and the entire team for looking after me. A special thank you to Mimi, Dr Barbara, Caroline, Trina and Elena from Embryology team and the Theatre Team - Rose, Martin and Amy F. Everyone was so kind, helpful and reassuring, and it really made a difference. Thank you all for everything. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️’

IsadelandCyril

4 November 2026, LWC Harley Street

‘I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the entire team who supported us throughout our IVF treatment. ❤️ A special thank you to Ana-Maria,our nurse, for her kindness, patience, compassion and professionalism. She was always so caring, understanding and supportive, making us feel reassured and comfortable during such an emotional and challenging journey. We would also like to thank Dr Gill from the bottom of our hearts for his professionalism, dedication, expertise and the confidence he gave us throughout the entire process. IVF is not just a medical treatment; it is an emotional journey filled with hope, challenges and many feelings. Having such wonderful people by our side made everything so much easier. Thank you for your care, support and dedication. We truly appreciate everything you have done for us and would wholeheartedly recommend you to anyone beginning their IVF journey. Thank you for being part of our journey! ❤️’

Alexandru Predescu

3 November 2026, LWC Harrow

‘I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the entire team who supported us throughout our IVF treatment. ❤️ A special thank you to Ana-Maria,our nurse, for her kindness, patience, compassion and professionalism. She was always so caring, understanding and supportive, making us feel reassured and comfortable during such an emotional and challenging journey. We would also like to thank Dr Gill from the bottom of our hearts for his professionalism, dedication, expertise and the confidence he gave us throughout the entire process. IVF is not just a medical treatment; it is an emotional journey filled with hope, challenges and many feelings. Having such wonderful people by our side made everything so much easier. Thank you for your care, support and dedication. We truly appreciate everything you have done for us and would wholeheartedly recommend you to anyone beginning their IVF journey. Thank you for being part of our journey! ❤️’

Mihaela-Clemansa Predescu

3 November 2026, LWC Harrow

‘Simply Brilliant .’

Ramachandran Jeyamohan

3 November 2026, LWC Colchester

‘I feel so blessed and grateful to have been under the lovely nurse Katie and Dr Kovats’s care. Everyone I encountered in the clinic on or off line was friendly, reassuring, thoughtful, and patient with me. I could feel the genuine care from Katie and Dr Kovats. I feel very reassured knowing they'd be there with me every step of the way; it is a great relief to have medical professionals like them on my side. They listened attentively, were reassuring, explained what I need to know thoroughly and were very approachable. Thank you to Carina, the friendly clinic coordinator, for always answering my emails promptly and being so helpful with all the questions I threw at her. Also, to the lovely staff member with blonde hair (I’m so sorry I forgot your name!) who did the ultrasound scan, thank you for being so attentive and making me feel relaxed. The clinic has a calm, relaxing vibe and is very clean. I have had a wonderful experience with the clinic and would highly recommend the team to anyone on their fertility journey!’

T Yang

3 November 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘We have used London Women's Clinic twice in the last two years for successful egg retrieval and two subsequent frozen embryo transfers. We have always been met with care, compassion and a personal approach. Every step from the initial consultation right through to the 7 week scan has been professional and polite, always accommodating our needs and timings. We can't thank the team enough for giving us such support towards creating our family.’

Lucy Richards

2 November 2026, LWC Tunbridge Wells

‘Myself and my husband owe it all to london womens clinic, they were amazing from start to finish. We previously were under another clinic and decided to make the change due to many reasons and we are so glad we did. They treat everyone as individuals, not everyones fertility journeys are the same. The small team at Colchester make it so personable not to mention how amazing all 4 women are that work here, their knowledge empathy and listening skills simply cannot be found at any other clinic. The list goes on as to why I would recommend LWC but everyone likes a to the point review. They genuinely care they dont treat you like a number and they help you through every hurdle that occurs. Our little boy wouldn't be possible without these 4, each of them play a bigger part than they realise. 💙’

Ellen Turrell

2 November 2026, LWC Colchester

‘Wonderful punch of people, caring, competent, and efficient in all they do. It feels we are all in a mission together and they are invested in the success of our pregnancy. Thank k you 🙏’

Yasmine Mora

30 October 2026, LWC London Bridge

‘I couldn’t speak more highly of the London Women’s Clinic Oxford! From the moment you walk in you are greeted with such a warm welcome. The reception area is bright and welcoming and the receptionist is lovely. All of the staff are so friendly, helpful and polite. Going through this journey can be emotional, so having such a wonderful supportive, caring clinic to visit makes all the difference. Everyone goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable and looked after. I feel so lucky to have such a lovely team supporting me along the way. Thank you all! 🍀💗’

Louise

30 October 2026, LWC Oxford

‘Incredible service and professionals. They made me feel comfortable and safe the entire journey. Thank you!’

Luciana Lombardi

30 October 2026, LWC Cambridge

‘I had an absolutely amazing experience at LWC from start to finish! There are literally no wait times so we were able to get started pretty much straight away after consultation. The process was seamless, with a lot of flexibility if you need to change appt time. Nurses are amazing and so supportive. Special shout out to Kate and Chris who were so kind and made the whole experience so much better. Also the nurses on the ward were absolutely amazing but I can’t remember their names. I’m now discharged as I’m pregnant from my first try! However I will look forward to returning in the future for my second embryo which is currently frozen 😊’

Kathryn Jessica

27 October 2026, LWC Bromley