(The Atlantic) – Most of Europe bans commercial surrogacy. The United Nations likens it to slavery. But in the United States, business is booming.

The first time I saw Roberts, who lives in Santa Barbara County, California, she was speaking at the Men Having Babies conference in downtown San Francisco. Men Having Babies does exactly what its name promises: The organization helps gay aspiring fathers find women who are willing—eager, even—to carry their children. For one weekend every year, more than 200 men from across California and beyond fill the ballroom at the Marines’ Memorial Club & Hotel and listen to panel discussions and keynotes, with a special breakout session for single dads.

Since the legalization of same-sex marriage, male couples have become the big growth market for American surrogacy, but the practice is booming among aspiring parents—married or single, straight or gay—who can afford the cost of hiring someone else to carry their child. (Read More)