Description: The data set consists of 21 transcribed interviews in which 24 gay men were interviewed. 18 of the interviews were one-on-one interviews whilst couples were interviewed in 3 interviews. Abstract: The focus of this research project is on planned same-gendered families and centres on the parenthood decisions (i.e., the choice of whether or not to be a father and associated decisions) of gay or bisexual identified men. This research focus is underpinned by the principle of reproductive justice. It is motivated by the marginal position that these men occupy both socially and in research on fatherhood and reproductive decision-making, especially in a South African context. More information is needed on gay and bisexual men in this regard, in order to advocate for their sexual and reproductive needs as well as to address the discrimination that they often face in relation to their pathways to parenthood.

As a result of this overarching objective, the proposed study is exploratory in nature and, using qualitative methods, is intended to provide rich, detailed information that can inform future research. It is also aimed at informing advocacy and intervention.

The researchers will seek to:

Explore gay/bisexual men's thoughts, feelings and perspectives toward fatherhood. How do these men think and feel about having children? What does 'family' mean to them?

Understand gay/bisexual men's fatherhood decisions. How do these men go about deciding to become parents or not?

Locate decision-making within the broader South African environment and investigate how this impacts upon the men in the study. What are their experiences in relation to their paths toward non/parenthood?

Mobilise the knowledge generated for awareness raising, interventions, advocacy and community engagement.

Digital audio recording

Face-to-face interview

Gay men from Gauteng and Western Cape provinces.

Interviews: The 'sampling' strategy was largely a snowball method, relying on gatekeepers and participants to refer us to other potential participants who are eligible to take part. The participants were recruited in a variety of ways in order to ensure diversity, viz., (1) Requests on websites (including those dealing with (queer) parenting; adoption; surrogacy; childfree groups) and social media (e.g., twitter, Facebook); (2) LGBTI advocacy organisations (e.g., The Triangle Project LGBTI parent's group and 'safe spaces' groups; OUT LGBT Well-Being (Pretoria) and the Durban Lesbian and Gay Community and Health Centre's support groups and networks and (3) Personal requests through social networks and referrals.

Document analysis: systematic search of online media archives and data bases (SA Media Archive; Google news; IOL; and the Media24 Archive) using the following search parameters.

a. Type:

Mainstream media print, online news coverage; magazine articles.

Aimed at general population (i.e., not targeting LGBTI community).

b. Geographical area: SA only

c. Time period: any, but prioritise 1994 to present.

d. Search terms: (use a combinations of the following or other relevant terms)

South Africa AND

gay OR homosexual OR lesbian OR same-sex

parent OR family OR father OR mother

adopt OR surrogate OR foster*