Brian Dowling

Brian's sister Aoife, who was their surrogate, is listed on the birth cert as Blake's mother even though they used an egg donor: ''When Blake was born Aoife ...

Brian said: "When we lived in America we discussed surrogacy and the foster to adopt system there. Even when Blake was born that was never an issue." Arthur said: "We just wanted to build a family. "In Irish law, Aoife is considered to be Blake’s biological mother but she is not the biological mother. Aoife wanted to enjoy the birth and not feel the pressure if something went wrong." "When Aoife said yes to surrogacy, we really wanted a child so when it came down to DNA, blood and who the biological father was it was never an issue. It is odd." I am educating myself and we are educating other people. "It is important for us too because Blake’s birth cert represents her life. The couple have been very open about their journey to fatherhood but the legal side of things is something they rarely speak about. Ahead of signing that agreement Aoife was solely responsible for her. Even behind the scenes now there have been legal issues and court cases regarding our daughter.

Brian Dowling has said that he and husband Arthur Gourounlian were targeted with homophobia 'of the highest level' after baby Blake was born last year.

As for me to be the first foreigner on Dancing with the Stars, it was such a big risk for RTE to have me on primetime TV. RTE needs to be reflective of society and the world we live in,' he said. From me dancing with Kai for one week to Dancing with the Stars casting Panti is phenomenal. It's amazing to see couples like Arthur and I being given this documentary in a primetime slot on a Monday night. It was incredible for Irish people to see and accept her. It's going in the right direction. I'm mindful that Blake will be able to access all of this and read all of this. This had escalated to the point of being accused of stuff and accusations. We are living a long life, we'll have people like that and we can't make people love us.' I think RTE are taking risks and Irish people are embracing it. We're used to being critiqued and judged because of our jobs. The homophobia is guised as something else.

TV star Brian Dowling Gourounlian and Dancing with the Stars judge Arthur Gourounlian are having a baby, and Brian's younger sister Aoife is their surrogate ...

Brian agrees, saying: "When it's about your family or your husband or your baby or your sister who is your surrogate, I do take that very... It's hard but it's possible." Please review their details and accept them to load the content. "I do feel, with the documentary, it's almost like we're almost riling them all up again," says Brian. I was so worried about anything happening to her." "We cannot make them like us," adds Arthur.

When it comes to surrogacy, Ireland's legislation is a never-never land with few certainties and much guesswork.

Until then, says their lawyer, “neither of you has a legal relationship with the child”. Legally, as the woman giving birth to the child, Aoife is the only one with guardianship rights: in the hospital, she must sign documents so that Brian and Arthur can care for the baby. “My hormones are all over the place.” One stranger accuses them of a “black heart”; another says that their announcement “made no mention at all of the woman”. Yet when Dowling and Gourounlian reveal they are to have a child by donor egg – and that Dowling’s sister Aoife is the surrogate – they are bombarded with vitriol. “The closer it gets the more emotional I am,” Aoife says.

TV legend, Brian Dowling and Dancing With The Star's judge Arthur Gourounlian have a documentary airing tonight on RTÉ chronicles the ups and downs of the.

The couple's documentary Brian and Arthur's Very Modern Family, which saw them discuss Ireland's lack of surrogacy laws, aired on RTE One on Monday night.

Congratulations to Brian and Arthur on the birth of beautiful Blake. Things have gotten very 'shouty' in recent times and we need to remember the message of #Love ultimately does conquer all." Another viewer remarked: "Such a wonderful story, full of love. Blake is a lucky girl," a third fan gushed. It also is a reminder that the triumph of Love is at the heart of so many #LGBT Irish stories. One person tweeted: "Aoife’s relationship with Brian & Arthur is gorgeous.

The couple, who welcomed baby Blake via Brian's sister Aoife, who acted as surrogate for them, filmed the documentary Brian and Arthur: A Very Modern Family for ...

It's amazing to see couples like Arthur and I being given this documentary in a primetime slot on a Monday night. 'As for me to be the first foreigner on Dancing with the Stars, it was such a big risk for RTE to have me on primetime TV. It was incredible for Irish people to see and accept her. [Brian](https://extra.ie/tag/brian-dowling) agreed, adding 'We're quite progressive in Ireland, especially with the Marriage Referendum. It also is a reminder that the triumph of Love is at the heart of so many #LGBT Irish stories. '#VeryModernFamily A heartwarming story that love conquers hate and indifference,' one person wrote.