Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe plans to have a baby via surrogate with boyfriend Ryan Channing
The couple started dating in 2015, a year after Thorpe came out as gay when retiring
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe has revealed he plans to start a family with his boyfriend Ryan Channing.
Australia’s most decorated Olympian – who came out in an interview with Michael Parkinson back in 2014 after retiring – started dating his partner in 2015 and although the couple have been planning to start a family for a while, Thorpe said it was still “early days” but said they have visited a clinic in Los Angeles.
He told the Daily Mail: “We’re talking about it and have for a while, but it’s still early days. Yes, we decided to visit the clinic in LA – it’s all part of the plan at this stage.”
Currently in Australia, despite marriage equality being legalised in 2017, commercial surrogacy is still illegal and is one of the reasons why the couple are looking for a surrogate in LA.
Channing added: “Becoming parents is something that Ian and myself would love to make happen.
“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.”