Swimming champion Ian Thorpe is set to become a father with his long-term boyfriend as the couple take the first steps in their quest for parenthood.
Thorpe, 36, confirmed to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday that he and Ryan Channing are in the early stages of becoming parents through a surrogate in the United States.
Channing, 28, who has been dating Thorpe since 2015, was pictured arriving at the Southern California Reproductive Clinic in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles last week.
'We're talking about it and have for a while, but it's still early days,' Thorpe, a five-time Olympic gold medalist, said.
'Yes, we decided to visit the clinic in LA - it's all part of the plan at this stage.'
Scroll down for video
Ian Thorpe (right) and boyfriend Ryan Channing (left), who have been dating since 2015, are in the process of becoming parents through a surrogate in the United States
Channing (pictured) visited a leading fertility clinic in Beverley Hills, Los Angeles, last Wednesday - the first step in their bid to start a family
Channing spent close to an hour inside the clinic before re-emerging into the wet Los Angeles day. Thorpe told Daily Mail Australia of his boyfriend's visit to the clinic: 'It's all part of the plan at this stage'
Thorpe, Australia's most decorated Olympian, has previously spoken about his desire to have children and a family of his own.
Channing told Daily Mail Australia they decided on a fertility clinic in Los Angeles because of the strict surrogacy rules in Australia.
'Becoming parents is something that Ian and myself would love to make happen,' he said.
'Unfortunately the laws in Australia are difficult for same sex males in regards to surrogacy - California state law has really progressed in this space which makes it the best option legally.
'Something I would love to see progress further in Australia so same sex couples don't have to trouble abroad to achieve their family goals.'
Thorpe was not with Channing when he visited the fertility clinic due to sponsorship commitments at the Australian Open.
Channing entered the clinic carrying a folder at 2.30pm local time last Wednesday, after talking with a friend on the street.
The model, lawyer and creator of skincare brand Blaq, spent close to an hour inside before walking out of the clinic with paperwork in hand.
'We're talking about it and have for a while, but it's still early days,' the five-time Olympic gold medalist told Daily Mail Australia
Thorpe (right) attended a meeting with his management firm SEL in Sydney's CBD on Thursday
'We decided to visit the clinic in LA - it's all part of the plan at this stage,' Thorpe said on Thursday
The couple's decision to attend a fertility clinic in the United States, not Australia, was because 'the laws in Australia are difficult for same sex males in regards to surrogacy,' Channing said
Channing carried a form with an SCRC header (pictured) out the door after his appointment at the leading fertility clinic
On their website the Southern California Reproductive Clinic claims to be 'one of the most highly respected... in the world'.
The clinic specialises not only in surrogacy, but also IVF treatment and embryology.
Surrogacy in Australia is legal, however current laws state that the arrangement must be altruistic - the woman cannot receive any payment, other than having her medical expenses paid for.
In 2017, after he and Channing campaigned for marriage equality, Thorpe told Woman's Day his next goal was to become a father.
'I've always wanted to have a family - a family of my own,' the five-time Olympic gold medalist said.
'I've loved being an uncle and I would love being a father as well.'
Despite much speculation about his sexuality Thorpe long denied being gay, before coming out in a television interview with Michael Parkinson in 2014.
'I'm comfortable saying I'm a gay man. And I don't want people to feel the same way I did. You can grow up, you can be comfortable and you can be gay,' Thorpe said.
'I am telling the world that I am gay… and I hope this makes it easier for others now, and even if you've held it in for years, it feels easier to get it out.'
Thorpe burst onto the national stage as a 14-year-old at the National Championships in 1997 when he qualified for the Pan Pacific Championships in the 400m freestyle.
Thorpe is Australia's most decorated Olympian, winning five gold medals across the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 games
Thorpe revealed he was gay in a TV interview with Michael Parkinson in 2014 and began his relationship with Channing (left) less than a year later
Channing and Thorpe in a photo posted to Instagram this week
A year later he won his first international gold medal in the 400m at the 1998 World Championships in Perth.
In 1999 he broke the world record in the 200m and 400m freestyle at the Pan Pacific Championships and established himself as a gold medal chance for the upcoming 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Overcoming the pressure of having the Olympics on home soil, Thorpe won gold in the 400m freestyle (in a world record time), 4x100m freestyle relay and 4x200m freestyle relay.
Four years later in Athens, Thorpe won gold in both the 200m freestyle and 400m freestyle. In 2006 the swimming champion briefly retired, before calling time on his career for good in 2012.
https://textbacklinkexchanges.com/category/the-sun-world/
https://textbacklinkexchanges.com/ian-thorpe-planning-to-become-a-father-through-u-s-surrogate/
News Photo Ian Thorpe planning to become a father through U.S surrogate
Advertising
You don’t have to pack away your dress just because you’re the wrong side of 20. These body-beautiful stars reveal their secrets to staying in shape and prove you can smoulder in a two-piece, whatever your age. Read on and be bikini inspired!
Kim says: “I am no super-thin Hollywood actress. I am built for men who like women to look like women.”
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/01/23/23/8633764-6601561-Thorpe_left_has_previously_spoken_about_the_couple_s_desire_to_h-a-1_1548285555480.jpg
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий