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This Australian Gay Man Made History With The Birth Of His Own Baby Boy
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This Australian Gay Man Made History With The Birth Of His Own Baby Boy

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It is well known that becoming a parent doesn’t come without obstacles. Especially for single gay men.

A hypnotherapist, Shaun Resnik, from the state of Victoria, Australia, has always dreamed of becoming a father. Shaun came out as gay when he was 24 years old, and in his thirties, he began to look for the ideal partner to start a family. However, bringing up parenthood on the first date did scare his potential partners away.

At the age of 40, Shaun decided to become a single father and started his journey of looking for surrogates. Luckily, Shaun achieved his dream of having a family and now, he not only has the cutest baby boy named Eli, but also a loving partner named Sean, as well as two dogs.

More info: Instagram

Meet Shaun Resnik, a 44-year-old gay man from Australia who has always dreamed of becoming a father

Image credits: shaunresnik

It took over a decade of planning for Shaun to make history as the first single Victorian man who was granted permission to become a parent via surrogacy

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Image credits: shaunresnik

Bored Panda reached out to Shaun to learn more about his story.

“I was just going through my phone tonight and I came across messages from 11 years ago, where I was asking other gay dads how they had managed to become dads through surrogacy.
I can’t believe that the whole process of starting to research to become a dad was over a decade long. I always knew that I would become a father, but I don’t think I realized just how hard and complicated doing surrogacy would be. There were lots of hurdles and I never gave up, although I definitely felt disheartened and almost defeated at points. Now when I hold my gorgeous 19-month-old son in my arms, I am so grateful that I persevered,” shared Shaun.

Image credits: shaunresnik

Image credits: shaunresnik

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Image credits: shaunresnik

The surrogacy journey for Shaun was long and difficult. There were three potential surrogates that came along but for various personal reasons couldn’t proceed

Image credits: shaunresnik

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Image credits: shaunresnik

Image credits: shaunresnik

Luckily, Shaun didn’t give up as he succeeded in finding a surrogate named Carla, who over the process became a close friend, and an egg donor from his already friend, Bree

Image credits: shaunresnik

It takes a special person to carry someone else’s child. Therefore, we asked Shaun to tell us more about the surrogate and how he found her. “I met Carla, my surrogate, when I began going to surrogacy catch-ups in Melbourne. I originally joined an online FB group where people who want to become parents get in touch with potential surrogates. In Australia, it is completely altruistic, which means that the surrogate and egg donor do not get paid to have your child. You pay for all pregnancy-related costs and medical appointments and help your pregnant surrogate by doing their grocery shopping when they are too tired to do it, or babysitting their kids if they need a night out and forming a relationship with their family. It’s a really nice way to have a baby because you create a friendship first and the surrogate learns to like and trust you before helping you to become a parent.

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At the time I was single and I had no idea I was the first single Victorian male in Australia to have a baby via local surrogacy. It meant that my case was a landmark case and it ended up inspiring a lot of other single men and women to go on the journey to become parents.

I have since found a loving partner and we are raising our son together- it has worked out really well,” wrote Shaun.

Shaun’s efforts finally paid off when in October 2021, they found out that Carla was pregnant

Image credits: shaunresnik

For Shaun, learning the news that he was going to be a dad was a dream come true. Shaun shared more about his experience: “The day I found out that Carla was pregnant and that I was finally going to be a father was one of the best moments of my life. When Carla and I both looked at the positive pregnancy test, we both jumped up and down and hugged each other. I cried. It was surreal, the best day of my life. When Eli was born, I was lucky enough to “catch him” in the delivery room and when I cut the umbilical cord, it was one of the most profound moments, knowing that my child was finally here and I was now a father.”

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Image credits: shaunresnik

Image credits: shaunresnik

When the baby boy was born, Shaun named him Eli, in honor of his own dad

Image credits: shaunresnik

Many people tend to turn to adoption centers to expand their families with children. Shaun explained why he stayed on the surrogacy route instead: “In Australia, adoption is really difficult. Strangely enough, there are not many children available for adoption and the process can take up to 7 years to match with a child. Also, as a single gay man, I would have been at the bottom of the list and it would have been almost impossible to adopt in Australia. For these reasons, I did not consider adoption as a viable option. Also, I genuinely wanted to have a genetic child of my own. My parents are always commenting that my son reminds them of me when I was his age, we both have huge appetites for food and like me, he loves being out of the house and in nature.”

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Image credits: shaunresnik

Image credits: shaunresnik

Even though Shaun started the surrogacy process while single, along the way came his now-partner Sean, and they raise Eli together

Image credits: shaunresnik

Now that Shaun not only has a baby boy but also a partner, Sean, we asked if the couple is thinking of more children.

“I always dreamed of having a big family and my son is in contact with both his egg donor and surrogate families. We are all close and we chat weekly and see each other often. I always say he is lucky, he has two dads, a birth mum, and an egg donor mum- so he has lots of parents and he knows his half brothers and sister. He is a very lucky kid and is part of a loving extended family.
My partner Sean and I are planning on having more children and Carla is going to carry our next child – we are so excited!”

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Image credits: shaunresnik

Image credits: shaunresnik

Now the couple are facing the joys of fatherhood and are planning on expanding their family once again

Image credits: shaunresnik

Image credits: shaunresnik

Image credits: shaunresnik

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Hidrėlėy

Hidrėlėy

Author, Pro member

Read more »

Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

Read less »
Hidrėlėy

Hidrėlėy

Author, Pro member

Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

Ieva Midveryte

Ieva Midveryte

Moderator, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

Hello Pandas! My name is Ieva, though it's often mistaken for the word 'Leva,' and in Lithuanian, it means 'loser' (insert the pain emoji). While I don't take offense if you accidentally call me a loser, I thought I'd share something interesting with you, which I also do professionally at work.Anywayyy, my favorite part here is introducing you to creative people who deserve just as much recognition as famous celebrities. Besides that, I also enjoy memes and funny, lighthearted posts, and occasionally, I find myself drawn to a bit of internet drama.

Read less »

Ieva Midveryte

Ieva Midveryte

Moderator, BoredPanda staff

Hello Pandas! My name is Ieva, though it's often mistaken for the word 'Leva,' and in Lithuanian, it means 'loser' (insert the pain emoji). While I don't take offense if you accidentally call me a loser, I thought I'd share something interesting with you, which I also do professionally at work.Anywayyy, my favorite part here is introducing you to creative people who deserve just as much recognition as famous celebrities. Besides that, I also enjoy memes and funny, lighthearted posts, and occasionally, I find myself drawn to a bit of internet drama.

What do you think ?
Add photo comments
POST
arthbach
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wouldn't it be fantastic if every baby was so longed for and so loved!

BTDubs
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so cute! Some people are made to be good parents.

dremetrius
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I genuinely lost it at Shaun and Sean... collected myself... and then was hit again with that photo of that TOO CUTE dog.

Load More Replies...
Janelle Collard
Community Member
Premium
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That little guy will be so loved! Congrats + hope Eli gets a sibling. :)

Freya (she/they/he)
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Congrats :) I’m glad that both fathers and baby are doing safe and well :)

Shaunn Munn
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Two dads with the same name ( verbally ). I like it! Best wishes little family!

Natalia
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s wonderful that in our world anyone can become a parent if they want.

Huddo's sister
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had no idea my state had never had a single gay man use a surrogate before!

Quinn
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"...it is completely altruistic, which means that the surrogate and egg donor do not get paid to have your child." OMG. My faith in humanity has been restored. Especially by the amazing selflessness and loving suffering of the surrogate.

Sweet Fanny Adams
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bringing life into the world is a blessed and wonderful thing. Expensive as well with the cost of childcare, food, clothing, education, so on and so forth. I wish them all the best.

Your fav(?) nerd (they/any)
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this story so much but can’t get over the fact that they have the same name spelled differently lol This was so sweet

Mustafa Kiziroğlu
Community Member
12 months ago

This comment has been deleted.

Kim
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hundreds of children in fostercare and yet we desperatly need to make more. Why do people think ”blood” makes you a mother/father rather than just love and care for a child. 👼🏿

BTDubs
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is unlikely that an adoption agency would allow a single gay man to have a kid. I agree with you that there should be a focus on foster kids, but I don't think that was an option in this case.

Load More Replies...
Captain McSmoot
Community Member
12 months ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

This would not be a story if it were a single, straight man or a single, straight woman. Stop pandering (no pun intended) and let people live without broadcasting it everywhere. "This man likes to have sex with other men, but isn't married and also wants a baby." Blah, blah, blah. Give it a rest and let people live their lives like everyone else.

Nice Beast Ludo
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He is the first one and that is news. I think it's great and should be newsworthy every time a baby is brought into a loving family. Too much doom and gloom news disturbing my soul and these stories make me happy

Load More Replies...
NopedOut
Community Member
12 months ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I strongly advise women do not serve as surrogates. Carrying a foreign egg is riskier to your health than a normal pregnancy. (Surrogacy agencies are not upfront about this). You're also very bonded to the baby you give birth to, and you have to give it away. You don't need to sacrifice your body and your heart to make a man happy.

Susie Elle
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's why it's a choice, and one that is not for you to make for another person.

Load More Replies...
arthbach
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wouldn't it be fantastic if every baby was so longed for and so loved!

BTDubs
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so cute! Some people are made to be good parents.

dremetrius
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I genuinely lost it at Shaun and Sean... collected myself... and then was hit again with that photo of that TOO CUTE dog.

Load More Replies...
Janelle Collard
Community Member
Premium
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That little guy will be so loved! Congrats + hope Eli gets a sibling. :)

Freya (she/they/he)
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Congrats :) I’m glad that both fathers and baby are doing safe and well :)

Shaunn Munn
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Two dads with the same name ( verbally ). I like it! Best wishes little family!

Natalia
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s wonderful that in our world anyone can become a parent if they want.

Huddo's sister
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had no idea my state had never had a single gay man use a surrogate before!

Quinn
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"...it is completely altruistic, which means that the surrogate and egg donor do not get paid to have your child." OMG. My faith in humanity has been restored. Especially by the amazing selflessness and loving suffering of the surrogate.

Sweet Fanny Adams
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bringing life into the world is a blessed and wonderful thing. Expensive as well with the cost of childcare, food, clothing, education, so on and so forth. I wish them all the best.

Your fav(?) nerd (they/any)
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this story so much but can’t get over the fact that they have the same name spelled differently lol This was so sweet

Mustafa Kiziroğlu
Community Member
12 months ago

This comment has been deleted.

Kim
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hundreds of children in fostercare and yet we desperatly need to make more. Why do people think ”blood” makes you a mother/father rather than just love and care for a child. 👼🏿

BTDubs
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is unlikely that an adoption agency would allow a single gay man to have a kid. I agree with you that there should be a focus on foster kids, but I don't think that was an option in this case.

Load More Replies...
Captain McSmoot
Community Member
12 months ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

This would not be a story if it were a single, straight man or a single, straight woman. Stop pandering (no pun intended) and let people live without broadcasting it everywhere. "This man likes to have sex with other men, but isn't married and also wants a baby." Blah, blah, blah. Give it a rest and let people live their lives like everyone else.

Nice Beast Ludo
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He is the first one and that is news. I think it's great and should be newsworthy every time a baby is brought into a loving family. Too much doom and gloom news disturbing my soul and these stories make me happy

Load More Replies...
NopedOut
Community Member
12 months ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I strongly advise women do not serve as surrogates. Carrying a foreign egg is riskier to your health than a normal pregnancy. (Surrogacy agencies are not upfront about this). You're also very bonded to the baby you give birth to, and you have to give it away. You don't need to sacrifice your body and your heart to make a man happy.

Susie Elle
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's why it's a choice, and one that is not for you to make for another person.

Load More Replies...
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