Starting a family can be one of life’s most emotional and vulnerable journeys. For many LGBTQIA+ people, that path includes not only the usual challenges of fertility treatment, but also extra layers of complexity: postcode-dependent access, financial barriers, and systems that were not built with their experiences in mind.
This comes at a time when LGBTQIA+ rights face renewed challenges, it is more important than ever to push for progress forwards, not backwards.
This is about people and policy. And it’s built around five simple but powerful ideas.

1. Clear, inclusive information
Fertility care can already feel overwhelming. The manifesto calls for straightforward guidance for all LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples - and better education for GPs and frontline healthcare workers, who are often the first point of contact.
Everyone deserves to understand their rights and options, and to feel confident and informed when taking the first step.
2. Clinics that feel truly welcoming
Every patient should feel safe and welcome when accessing fertility care. That means inclusive environments, updated patient materials, and healthcare professionals trained to work with warmth, sensitivity and empathy.
The best care doesn’t just treat the body, it supports the whole person.
3. Personalised care for every journey
Many LGBTQIA+ people don’t start IVF because of infertility. Yet they’re often required to go through unnecessary tests or outdated procedures before being eligible for support.
Our joint manifesto with DIVA calls for an end to the one-size-fits-all approach. Fertility care should be based on individual needs, not assumptions.
4. Real choice and freedom to decide
There are many options open to LGBTQIA+ couples to build families like shared parenthood through reciprocal IVF, IUI, and fertility preservation**.** London Women’s Clinic is proud to have innovated many of these clinical practices.
Everyone should be supported in choosing the path that feels right for them, with compassionate guidance every step of the way.
5. Fair and equal access to NHS-funded treatment
One of the most striking facts in the manifesto is: Only 16% of female same-sex couples in England and Wales had their first IVF cycle funded by the NHS, compared to 52% of opposite-sex couples. In Scotland, the figures are slightly better, but the gap remains.
No one should have to self-fund over £25,000 in treatment just to become eligible for NHS support. Access to fertility care shouldn’t depend on your postcode, your partner, or your pay cheque.
A future we believe in

The UK’s LGBTQIA+ community is growing. Nearly 1 in 10 people aged 16–24 now identify as LGBTQIA+. At the same time, birth rates are at record lows. Supporting all families to grow isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s essential to our shared future.
At London Women’s Clinic, we’re proud of our long-standing work supporting LGBTQIA+ patients. We were the first UK clinic to offer donor insemination to same-sex couples, and we continue to offer treatments that we first established, like reciprocal IVF and egg sharing, today.
We’re also proud to report some of the strongest success rates in the country for LGBTQIA+ patients.
If you’re thinking about starting your own fertility journey, or simply want to understand your options, we’re always here to talk. You can reach out to our expert team here.
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