Many LGBTIQ+ people use known sperm donors when forming their families. This is often driven by a desire for the child to know, or have the option to know, the donor from an early age. It may also be because of factors such as cultural fit, cost, accessibility, and experiences of discrimination within formal fertility pathways. Motivations for donation are equally diverse.

Donors may be friends, people within the LGBTIQ+ community, or individuals found through online platforms. The resulting arrangements can vary from the donor having no ongoing involvement to shared parenting roles. 

This discussion paper explores why LGBTIQ+ families may choose to use a known donors and informal pathways, as well as the different types of donor arrangements. It examines the risks and challenges that can arise, including misaligned expectations, conflict over donor involvement, and the legal complexities created by the absence of clear definitions of parenthood and parental responsibility. 

The paper also highlights donor agreements as a proactive tool for LGBTIQ+ families. While not legally binding, donor agreements can support transparent communication, document shared intentions at the time of conception, and help reduce the risk of future disputes.