Charlie Condou to appear at London gay parenting show
By Will Stroude
Charlie Condou is to appear at the Alternative Parenting Show when it returns to London next month (September).
The former Coronation Street star is an ambassador for the annual event, which offers specialist advice for same-sex couples seeking to become parents.
During the show, aspiring parents will have the chance to speak to Condou – who has a son and a daughter with his partner Cameron – as well as his fellow ambassador, Holby City actress Sophie Ward, about same-sex parenting.
The event will also include advice on surrogacy, adoption, fertility, co-parenting and legal information.
“I’m really looking forward to sharing my story about starting a family and I hope that I can offer support and encouragement to other gay parents planning on doing the same,” Condou told attitude.co.uk.
“The Alternative Parenting Show is Britain’s event for would-be gay parents. I’m proud to be a part of it,” he added.
According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics, in 2011 there were 8,000 same-sex couples with children in their care. In 2013, this number had risen to over 12,000 couples. Event organiser Sarah Garrett said the number of “alternative families in the UK is only set to rise over the next few years”.
“Ten years ago the idea that a gay person could start a family was an unrealistic objective for many,” she continued. “I’m pleased this is changing. The Alternative Parenting show helps would-be mums and dads battle through the minefield of having children and I’m glad to be hosting it for the third year running.”
The Alternative Parenting show takes place in the Grand Connaught Rooms, Covent Garden on Sunday, September 21. For more information visit the Alternative Parenting website.
More Charlie Condou on attitude.co.uk:
Charlie Condou: ‘Never meet your heroes’
Charlie Condou: ”Coronation Street’ exit is for my family’
Charlie Condou: ‘There’s a complacency about gay rights in the UK’