The Queer Family Podcast – LGBTQ Families & Queer Parenting Stories

Lex Beach is a lesbian mom of seven kids (ages 8–23), and her family-building story truly covers the waterfront: donor sperm, IUIs, donor sibling connections, parenting through divorce, blended family life, known-donor attempts, miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy, and ultimately IVF.Lex knew she wanted to be a mom from the jump—and at 22, she got pregnant (the gay way) right after college… with sperm her parents literally bought as a graduation gift. From there, the story only gets bigger: twins, more pregnancies, co-parenting across households, a queer Brady Bunch era, and hard-earned reflections on what helps queer relationships survive the parenting years.Also: Jaimie forgets to hit record (again), records with a sick kid at home (again), and we all learn why favorite animals are somehow always in donor profiles… but braces aren’t.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysLex’s “elevator pitch”: 7 kids, ages 8–23, “made in all sorts of lesbian ways”Coming out at 15 and never being “in the closet”The grief of not being able to “mix genes” with a partnerGetting pregnant at 22 (with twins!) right after collegeChoosing a donor in the “primitive sperm bank era” (no adult photos, no audio, limited info)Donor selection logic: “No economics majors” + vote-by-friends methodThe reality of IUI timing with frozen sperm + why monitoring/trigger shots can matterSelling leftover vials… then scrambling to get one vial back for a partner pregnancyMiscarriage + ectopic pregnancy + emergency surgery and the emotional falloutIVF in Massachusetts and how coverage can change the equationBlending a family: “queer Brady Bunch… without Alice”Lex’s take on lesbian divorce rates, division of labor, identity as “mom,” and protecting the relationship during parenting🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsorsBe Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment!🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedLove, Take Two (with José Rolón / NYC Gay Dad) Subscribe on your favorite podcast app and on YouTube now!Lex’s family documentary (award-winning) Password: foxes🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book ]🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We were supposed to be dark this week… but instead, we popped in with a very special bonus episode. In this short, unscripted, slightly chaotic conversation, Jaimie is joined by longtime friend and collaborator Jose Rolón (aka @nycgaydad) to officially announce their brand-new podcast:💥 Love, Take Two 💥This episode, recorded without a producer, without an editor, and without a microphone (sorry in advance), gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how Love, Take Two came to life — from messy recording moments and last-minute decisions to big creative leaps, studio learning curves, and the joy of building something new together.If you’ve ever wondered what happens when two podcast hosts try to record an announcement without supervision… this is it.💖 About Love, Take TwoLove, Take Two is a conversation-driven podcast about second acts, fresh starts, and the unexpected turns that lead us exactly where we’re meant to be.From breakups to breakthroughs.From setbacks to comebacks.From “this didn’t go how I planned” to “this is better than I imagined.”There’s a comma in the title on purpose — Love, take two — like a love letter from your present self to your past self, reminding you that it gets better.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysWhy Love, Take Two exists — and why nowBuilding a podcast in studio (and learning as we go)Why we decided to just do the thing instead of waiting for “perfect”Scrapping episodes, re-recording intros, and trusting the processThe creative magic (and danger 😅) of two hosts who work the same wayWhy second acts aren’t failures — they’re evolutions• How this show is a breath of fresh air in heavy times🏳️‍🌈 Guests Featured in Season One of Love, Take TwoSeason One is stacked with artists, creatives, and cultural icons who’ve lived their own “take two” moments, including:Dominique Jackson Dana goldergLena Hall Drew Droege Jeremy CrittendonJesus Martinez Jonathan GregSophie B hawkinsAlexis BittarMorena BaccarinLamar Dawson …and more.💬 Final NoteThis episode is messy. It’s heartfelt. It’s very on-brand for two people building something new in real time. If you’ve ever questioned whether it’s “too late” to start over — this show (and this bonus ep) is for you.Love,Take Two 💖🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jaimie Kelton 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I’m putting this archived conversation back into the world because, like many of you, I’m feeling overwhelmed, angry, and honestly a bit helpless after the most recent ICE killing of Alex Pretti. When violence like this happens it can feel impossible to know where to put our grief or how to turn it into action. This episode with Marie Newman is a reminder that change doesn’t come from waiting to feel less scared—it comes from people who decide to show up anyway. Marie has gone the distance, personally and politically, and hearing from someone who has fought these fights before feels grounding right now. I hope it does for you too.ARCHIVED EPISODE:Marie Newman isn’t just an advocate—she’s a fighter. As a former Congresswoman from Illinois, she took on big fights for LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare equity, gun reform, and more. But her mission became personal when her daughter came out as transgender, propelling her even deeper into the fight for equality. In this episode, Marie shares her unexpected path to Congress, the struggles of passing meaningful legislation, and why she refuses to back down—even as anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric ramps up across the U.S. and beyond. She also opens up about her family’s journey, the reality of raising a trans child in today’s political climate, and what we can all do to push back against the attacks on our rights. 🔥 Nobody is coming to save us—we have to be the ones to step up. 🔥 🏳️‍🌈⁠🏳️‍🌈 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content & help keep these stories alive! 🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways 🏳️‍🌈 ✔️ How Marie’s fight for LGBTQ+ rights began—and why she made it her mission ]✔️ Her journey to Congress & the challenges of passing real change ✔️ Raising a trans child & navigating the medical & legal system ✔️ The dangerous rollback of trans rights & DEI policies ✔️ How to get involved and push back against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation 🏳️‍🌈About The Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈 Marie Newman is a former U.S. Congresswoman from Illinois who built a career fighting for marginalized communities. Before politics, she worked in marketing, anti-bullying activism, and women’s rights advocacy. She’s also the author of A Life Made From Scratch, a powerful memoir about her journey. As the mother of a trans daughter, Marie has dedicated her career to creating a more inclusive world. 📖 Preorder her book, "A Life Made From Scratch," here 🏳️‍🌈🎧 Loved this episode? Leave a review & support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content! 🏳️‍🌈 💬 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email at thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️‍🌈 📲 Let’s Connect! Follow us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈🎥 Watch & Listen: 📺 Watch full video episodes on YouTube 📖 Order the #ITOCT book on Amazon, IndieBound, or Audible 🎶 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🎵 Theme song by: Tiffany Topol 🎨 Logo art by: Daneen Stevenato 🛍️ 🏳️‍🌈Put your activism into action 🗳️ Vote, donate, and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights 📢 Call your representatives—let them know we won’t stand for discrimination 💡 Educate yourself & others on policies affecting our community History is watching. What we do now matters. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. While we chat with amazing organizations, The Queer Family Podcast isn’t responsible for any decisions or actions taken by listeners based on the content of the show. Always consult with a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

ARCHIVE (Recorded in 2024): Meet Shawndeez, a non-binary trans dad who shares their journey towards self-discovery and parenthood. Shawndeez discusses the challenges they faced as a queer and trans individual, their decision to pursue IVF and egg retrieval, and the importance of unconditional love in the parent-child relationship. Shawndeez also talks about their work supporting parents of trans children and the need for compassionate guidance in navigating the complexities of gender identity. Tune in for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysShawndeez's journey of self-discovery highlights the complexities of growing up queer and trans in a conservative environment and the subsequent path to embracing their true identity.The decision to pursue reciprocal IVF, where Shawndeez provided the egg and their partner carried the pregnancy, underlines the diverse ways queer families can come about.Shawndeez emphasizes the importance of having supportive medical professionals and a spiritually-driven mindset during their transition and fertility process.Discussions about the emotional work that comes with navigating a trans child's experience, particularly for cisgender and heterosexual parents, underscore the need for understanding and open communication within families.Shawndeez's current work focuses on helping parents of trans children embrace and understand their child's identity, advocating for compassion and unconditional love.🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈With a PhD in Gender Studies from UCLA, Shawndeez is not only thoroughly literate in topics surrounding gender and sexuality but also applies this knowledge to real-world contexts. As a trans-parent who has navigated personal and social transformations, Shawndeez now dedicates a significant portion of their work to supporting parents of trans children, helping to bridge gaps in understanding and fostering love and acceptance within families.If you loved this conversation, share it with someone who needs it — especially a parent, grandparent, or loved one who’s trying to learn how to better support the trans young person in their life. And if you want to support the show, check out the Patreon: patreon.com/thequeerfamilypodcast.🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsors!🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedQueer midwife Marea Goodman's virtual community: Pregnant TogetherShawndeez on Instagram- @drshawndeezShawndeez’s website: https://www.shawndeez.com/🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode was recorded in 2020 and originally released under the show’s former name, If These Ovaries Could Talk. While Ranae von Meding’s family life may look a bit different today, the laws in Ireland have not meaningfully changed—and many same-sex parents are still fighting for full legal recognition and protection for their children.At eight months pregnant, Ranae von Meding learned a shocking truth: after the birth of her child, her wife Audrey would not be legally recognized as a parent under Irish law—even though they were married, and even though Audrey is the genetic parent.In this archival episode (recorded in 2020), Ranae shares how she and Audrey built their family through reciprocal IVF abroad, the exhausting workarounds required when care isn’t fully accessible at home, and why Irish law has left many LGBTQ+ families in precarious legal territory. She also explains what it looks like to fight back—through advocacy, organizing, and Equality for Children, a campaign centered on one core message: this is about children’s rights.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysMarriage equality doesn’t automatically mean parental equality. In Ireland, being legally married doesn’t guarantee both parents are recognized when it comes to children.In many cases, the birth parent is the only legal parent. Even when the non-birth parent is genetically related (using their eggs), they may still have zero legal status.Reciprocal IVF wasn’t accessible in Ireland at the time. Ranae and Audrey had to travel abroad (Spain and Portugal), navigate complex logistics, and coordinate care at home without local fertility support.New legislation was coming—but only for a narrow group. The criteria described would exclude many families, including Ranae’s.Their legal action aims to amend their children’s birth certificates. The case isn’t about money—it’s about recognition and rights.A court win could create momentum and pressure. Even if it doesn’t instantly change the law for everyone, it could force the government to respond faster and set a path others can follow.Equality for Children became a real movement—fast. Within 24 hours of a community “call to action,” the group had a name, a website, branding support, and a public launch strategy.This advocacy is powered by parenting. Ranae describes the specific kind of relentless strength that shows up when the stakes are your kids.🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Robin Hopkins — original co-host of If These Ovaries Could Talk and interviewer for this episode.Ranae (Renee) von Meding is a Dublin-based writer, blogger, and LGBTQ+ family advocate. She and her wife Audrey are raising their children and are the founders/organizers behind Equality for Children, a campaign pushing for full legal recognition and protections for children of LGBTQ+ parents in Ireland.🗂️ Archival NoteThis episode was originally released under the show’s former name. Audio quality, sponsor ads, and cultural context reflect the time in which it was recorded.🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsors!🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedFollow Ranae on InstagramFamily Equality🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Edit Audio 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode originally aired back when the show was called If These Ovaries Could Talk, hosted by Jaimie Kelton and Robin Hopkins — before the show evolved into The Queer Family Podcast.Over the years, I’ve had countless listeners reach out asking the same thing: “Can you connect me with Emily and Sara? I want to learn how they shipped fresh sperm.” So I’m resurfacing this conversation because yes — it can work. And since this episode first aired, Emily and Sara have helped many others create their families using the same method.In this archival episode, Emily and Sara share the truly unforgettable story of how they made a baby by shipping fresh sperm to Northern Canada, using test yolk buffer, precise temperature control, and the kind of coordination that can only come from a very committed family — including Sara’s brother Justin, one of her quadruplet siblings and their known donor.Between COVID travel restrictions, cargo flights to remote communities, DIY temperature experiments, and more than a few logistical curveballs, this episode is equal parts educational, funny, stressful, and deeply hopeful.🗂️ Archival NoteThis episode was originally released under the show’s former name. Audio quality, sponsor ads, and cultural context reflect the time in which it was recorded.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysShipping fresh sperm can work, even over long distances and to remote locations.Temperature control mattered more than anything — success came after dialing in the ideal range (cold, but not frozen).Test yolk buffer helped preserve sperm viability during transit.Cargo and courier shipping require flexibility, backup plans, and patience.Emily tracked ovulation carefully (BBT + ovulation strips) and they inseminated across multiple days to cover timing variability.A strong support system — aka the village — made all the difference.Known donor arrangements can be deeply positive when communication, trust, and legal clarity are in place.🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s) 🏳️‍🌈Robin Hopkins — original co-host of If These Ovaries Could Talk and interviewer for this episode.Emily & Sara (cis women, both identify as queer)Plus a bonus clip from Justin (donor) explaining how temperature tracking helped make the successful shipment possible.🏳️‍🌈 Legal & Parentage (Canada-Specific)🏳️‍🌈 Emily and Sara discuss working with a lawyer to create a known donor agreement, and navigating province-by-province differences in parentage laws. Requirements vary, and they emphasize the importance of understanding local regulations.🏳️‍🌈 Sponsors (Original Air Date) 🏳️‍🌈This episode originally included ads for TUSHY, First Republic Bank, and Storyworth.🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As we head into a new year, we’re revisiting a very special episode — and carrying those Pride vibes forward with us.This episode originally aired as the finale of our very first Pride Extravaganza, where all month long (and a little beyond) we doubled up on Queer Family goodness with incredible guests and powerful stories.For this grand finale, I asked every single Pride Extravaganza guest one simple but loaded question: What does Pride mean to you?What you’ll hear is a moving compilation — a beautiful quilt of voices reflecting on Pride as visibility, self-love, family, community, resistance, joy, responsibility, and hope. These answers will absolutely give you the feels.Let this episode be your reminder as we move forward together: Pride is every day. Stay proud of who you are. Stay proud of your differences. Stay proud of your uniqueness. And keep showing up — unapologetically.We’re here. We’re queer. We make families. And we make beautiful, intentional families.Happy Pride — always. 🌈✨🗂️ Archival NoteThis episode originally aired as Season 12, Episode 13, closing out the show’s first-ever Pride Extravaganza. Audio quality, format, and language reflect the time it was recorded.🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jaimie talks with Naia, founder of Be Parent Surrogacy, about international surrogacy options, what intended parents can expect when working with an agency, and how Be Parent supports LGBTQIA+ families with transparency, ethics, and hands-on care. Naia also shares her own IVF story and her real-time sperm donor search—including why she’s choosing to freeze embryos as a future “insurance policy.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysThe “quiet times” in family-building are real—and consistent support from an agency can make the waiting feel less lonely.LGBTQIA+ families often enter the process with excitement because we know we’ll need help from the start, even if the waiting still hits hard.The donor search can make anyone go full spreadsheet-brain (“the search for the superhuman” is REAL).Be Parent works internationally and aims to reduce long wait times by helping intended parents start when they’re ready.They offer local support through “Be Body” ambassadors in the U.S. to guide legal/logistical steps while the journey happens abroad.Surrogacy should be treated holistically—including education, doula support, insurance planning, and post-birth check-ins.Egg donor and surrogate communication is customizable—from anonymous to open-ID and various levels of contact, based on preferences.International surrogacy can be significantly more affordable (Naia cites Mexico programs starting around $60K, varying by program type).Doulas aren’t just for pregnant people—they can be invaluable for two-dad families navigating newborn care in a new country.🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Naia has spent nearly eight years in the surrogacy field and founded Be Parent Surrogacy, an international agency supporting intended parents across family types—same-sex couples, single parents, and heterosexual couples. She is also an IVF patient herself, which informs how she approaches the emotional and logistical realities of fertility treatment and family-building support.🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsors!• California Cryobank If you’re listening to this show, there’s a good chance you’re building your family the queer way — and might need a little help in the sperm department. 🩵 Use code QUEERFAM25 at cryobank.com for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!•Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment!🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Anish & Miguel are two dads in Berlin who recently welcomed their son, Alexander, through agency-based surrogacy. And listen — some of us (cough… Jaimie… cough) approached queer family building with good vibes and very few spreadsheets. But THESE TWO? Absolute meticulous gay dad excellence. From cross-country agency visits, to karyotype testing, to annual goal-setting (“become parents” was literally on the list!), Anish and Miguel walk us through the entire surrogacy process with clarity, honesty, and so much heart. This episode is truly a surrogacy masterclass — a must-listen for anyone exploring this path.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysSurrogacy through an agency is all about trust — more than glossy brochures or fancy clinics.Anish & Miguel treated the process like a project: research, goal-setting, and risk assessment at every step.They visited multiple countries and agencies before landing on Be Parent Surrogacy in Cyprus.Genetic testing (karyotype screening) helped them make informed choices about their egg donor and embryos.Their egg donor was selected to reflect both of them, and fresh-egg IVF increased their chances of success.Long stretches of waiting in silence between milestones were some of the hardest emotional parts.Neither dad felt an instant, magical bond at birth — and they talk honestly about how connection can grow over time.German law still requires second-parent adoption for the non-legal parent, even after surrogacy abroad.Despite the legal hoops, they received full parental leave and government benefits — a big win for equality.🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Anish & Miguel are new dads living in Berlin with their four-month-old son, Alexander. After years of thoughtful planning, cross-country research, and honest conversations about what family means to them, they pursued agency-based surrogacy through Be Parent. Their story is full of intention, vulnerability, and practical guidance for queer families exploring the surrogacy path.🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsors!• California Cryobank If you’re listening to this show, there’s a good chance you’re building your family the queer way — and might need a little help in the sperm department. 🩵 Use code QUEERFAM25 at cryobank.com for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!•Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment!🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sam & Laura Abbey are BACK, y’all. The last time they were on the show it was still called If These Ovaries Could Talk, they only had one kid, and their Bravo reality show moment had just helped catapult them into queer family-building visibility.Seven years and two very boy-ish boys later, we’re catching up on IVF paid out of pocket (twice), using the same sperm donor for both kids, what happens when you over- or under-buy sperm, and yes—having to literally sign paperwork to “dispose” of a leftover vial while a straight guy wrestles with the “morality” of it.We get into raising sensitive, muddy, train-obsessed boys in a queer household that doesn’t subscribe to gender norms, ongoing origin-story conversations with their donor-conceived kids, giving boys permission to cry, and helping them navigate comments about pride flags and two-mom families. Plus, Laura shares her new project, Unseen, a queer millennial life podcast from Pink Robin Shop about art, culture, motherhood, and growing up queer with basically zero representation.If you’re navigating donor conception, raising boys in a queer family, or figuring out how to talk to your kids about their origin stories without making it a big talk, this one’s for you.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysThe “talk” is never one talk.Donor-conception conversations evolve with age — kids should always know their story.Buy more sperm than you think you’ll need.Limited vials + failed IUIs/IVF = strategic (and emotional) math.Kids come out who they are.Two queer moms, zero gender norms… and still: trains, mud, dinosaurs, chaos.Boys deserve big feelings.Crying, naming emotions, and sensitivity are celebrated — not shut down.Two-mom families require extra “coming out.”Pride flags and visibility can put kids in situations they didn’t choose; support matters.Community changes everything.Growing up with other two-mom families normalizes their world and builds resilience.🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Sam & Laura Abbey are a married lesbian couple and moms to two energetic. They first stepped into the spotlight on a Bravo reality show back in 2013–2014, where their wedding and early fertility journey were documented at a time when just being a same-sex couple was considered “enough of a storyline. They’ve been openly sharing the ups, downs, and hilarious chaos of boy-mom, two-mom life ever since over on Instagram at @theabbeyfam.Laura is also a writer and educator who now teaches college writing and co-hosts Unseen: Queer Millennial Life Unfiltered, a podcast from Pink Robin Shop that explores art, culture, parenthood, and growing up queer in a world that didn’t exactly roll out the rainbow carpet.🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsors!• California Cryobank If you’re listening to this show, there’s a good chance you’re building your family the queer way — and might need a little help in the sperm department. 🩵 Use code QUEERFAM25 at cryobank.com for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!•Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment!🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedFollow Sam & Laura on Instagram: [@theabbeyfam]Listen to Unseen: Queer Millennial Life UnfilteredWebsite: Pink Robin Shop – Unseen podcastAvailable wherever you get your podcastsJaimie’s book: If These Ovaries Could Talk: The Things We’ve Learned About Making an LGBTQ Family (yes, the Abbeys are in it!)🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Midwife, parent, nurse, educator, and proud Palestinian Ash joins Jaimie for a powerful, expansive conversation that connects queer birth work, liberation, bodily autonomy, and the politics of modern healthcare. From becoming a parent before coming into their trans identity, to the crisis inside U.S. obstetrics, to creating community-centered birth education for queer & trans families, Ash brings depth, clarity, and truth. The episode also touches on Ash’s ties to Palestine, why so many people are re-examining the narrative they were taught, and how to learn, help, and show up with intention.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysBirth is not inherently dangerous — but our systems are flawed.Rising U.S. gestational mortality rates are tied to financial incentives, outdated policies, and cultural fear.Where you feel safest is where you birth best.Stress pathways interrupt labor; safety & comfort matter more than location.Queer & trans people need trauma-informed preparation.Education + community before labor creates resilience when navigating misgendering or assumptions in hospitals.Intentional parenting is a queer superpower.Living outside the norms forces us to question, rebuild, and parent with intention.Liberation is interconnected.Ash links birth work to Palestinian liberation, colonial separation, and reclaiming humanity.Learning about Palestine doesn’t have to be overwhelming.Start with Palestinian voices. Complexity is often used to keep people disengaged.🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Ash (they/them) is a Trans Palestinian educator, speaker & midwife whose work centers birth justice and community care. They teach accessible, queer- and trans-inclusive childbirth classes through Embodied Birth Class and speak widely about physiologic birth, medical racism, and creating safer, more liberated birth experiences for all families.🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsors!• California Cryobank If you’re listening to this show, there’s a good chance you’re building your family the queer way — and might need a little help in the sperm department. 🩵 Use code QUEERFAM25 at cryobank.com for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!•Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment!🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedAsh’s Website: www.embodiedbirthclass.com • Join their mailing list for upcoming classes and events.Ash’s Instagram • @embodied.birth • @queertabletopsThe Hundred Years’ War on Palestine — Rashid KhalidiPalestine: A Four Thousand Year History — Nur MasalhaWorks by historian Ilan Pappé🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.co🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jaimie chats with Yanica & Leah, the interracial two-mom family behind @thefaustinfam, about building a queer family with intention. They discuss their donor conception journey, navigating race and colorism, raising multiracial donor-conceived kids, second-parent adoption, coming out stories, and parenting free spirited little humans in the South.If you love stories about LGBTQ family building, intentional parenting, mixed-race families, and queer joy — this episode is everything.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysQueer parents—especially interracial two-mom families—have to parent with deep intention.Yanica & Leah went from “straight best friends” to realizing they couldn’t live without each other.Coming out required navigating religion, culture, and family expectations, but they stayed united.Choosing a sperm donor as an interracial couple meant balancing race, ancestry, identity, and openness.They selected a willing-to-be-known donor to give their kids future choice and connection.Both moms carried, and they used the same donor so all three kids share a biological link.Colorism shows up in real time for their kids, and they openly discuss race and privilege at home.Legal protection matters: they completed second-parent adoption and carry documents everywhere.🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Yanica and Leah Faustin are the interracial two-mom power couple and creators behind @thefaustinfam, a warm, funny, and deeply honest look at queer family life. Based in Durham, North Carolina, they’re raising three donor-conceived kids while sharing their day-to-day joys, challenges, and intentional parenting choices with a rapidly growing online community. Together, Yanica (a professor) and Leah (a physical therapist) use humor, vulnerability, and radical transparency to normalize queer families and celebrate the diversity of what modern family building looks like. Their mission is simple: show up as their full selves so their kids—and all of ours—see their families reflected in the world.🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsors!• California Cryobank If you’re listening to this show, there’s a good chance you’re building your family the queer way — and might need a little help in the sperm department. 🩵 Use code QUEERFAM25 at cryobank.com for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!•Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment!🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Author and educator Kirsty Loehr joins Jaimie to share her beautifully messy story of queer family building — from reciprocal IVF with her ex-wife to co-parenting their 4-year-old son and now navigating life in a blended family with her new partner and her partner’s two kids.Kirsty talks candidly about the breakup that came just months after welcoming her son, the challenges of 50/50 custody, and learning to blend families while balancing love, chaos, and new beginnings. She also shares the inspiration behind her new book, A Short History of Queer Parenting, a funny, accessible, and essential look at how queer families have always existed — even when history tried to erase us.It’s honest, hopeful, and very, very lesbian.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysReciprocal IVF and Family Dynamics: Kirsty shares her experiences with reciprocal IVF, offering insights into queer parenting and the unique challenges and triumphs they bring.Single and Blended Parenting: Insights into the evolution from single to blended parenting, discussing both the struggles and profound bonds formed.Legal Aspects of Queer Parenting: Legal navigation within queer parenting, particularly regarding reciprocal IVF and parental rights.The Evolution of Queer Parenting: Kirsty's new book highlights the historical journey of LGBTQ+ parenting, from legality issues to personal anecdotes, providing a comprehensive view of queer family growth.Strength in Community: The importance of shared experiences and community support in navigating the complexities of queer family life.🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Kirsty Loehr (she/her) is a writer, English teacher, and examiner based in Brighton, England. She’s the author of A Short History of Queer Parenting and A Short History of Queer Women. Her work celebrates queer lineage, visibility, and the many ways LGBTQIA+ people create and nurture families.🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsor California Cryobank!If you’re listening to this show, there’s a good chance you’re building your family the queer way — and might need a little help in the sperm department. 🩵 Use code QUEERFAM25 at cryobank.com for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedFind Kirsty’s booksFollow Kirsty on InstagramCalifornia Cryobank – Use code QUEERFAM25.🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Alon Rivel joins Jaimie for a brutally honest, funny, and heartfelt conversation about what it really takes—emotionally, financially, and spiritually—to build a queer family through surrogacy. From his surrogate’s iconic one-liners (“I’m not keeping it”) to his reflection that queer parents are architects of love, Alon reminds us what intentional parenthood looks like.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysThe intentionality of queer family building—“We don’t choose to be gay, but we choose to have families.”Growing up gay in a Jewish-Israeli household in New York, finding safety through love and community.The surrogacy process from start to finish, including choosing an egg donor, working with Circle Surrogacy, and navigating the language (and insurance nightmares) that still exclude LGBTQ+ parents.Building lifelong relationships with both their surrogate and egg donor—relationships that have become extended family.Raising their son with full transparency about his origin story, teaching body honesty, and dismantling shame from day one.The cost, the fight for recognition (“Say mom again!”), and the joy of finally holding their son.🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Alon Rivel (he/him) is a gay dad and husband. Alon and his husband built their family through surrogacy after a decade-long relationship, a pandemic pivot, and a $220K price tag—and they’re raising their son surrounded by love, transparency, and the chosen family who helped bring him into the world.🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsor California Cryobank!If you’re listening to this show, there’s a good chance you’re building your family the queer way — and might need a little help in the sperm department. 🩵 Use code QUEERFAM25 at cryobank.com for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedFeast & Fettle – Meal delivery for families, by families.The Ali Forney Center – Supporting LGBTQ+ youth.Circle Surrogacy – Alon’s surrogacy agency.California Cryobank – Use code QUEERFAM25.🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Meet Mark and Eoin, two Irish dads proving that queer family building is both an act of love and of advocacy. Their path to fatherhood took them from Ireland to New York and Texas—navigating surrogacy independently, honoring their daughters’ Nigerian-Irish heritage, and pushing the Irish government to finally recognize families like theirs.Together, they’ve turned loss, learning, and legislation into love and legacy. From discovering their donor’s culture to challenging outdated Irish surrogacy laws, Mark and Eoin remind us that sometimes the most radical thing LGBTQIA+ parents can do is parent out loud—and make the system catch up.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysBuilding a family through independent surrogacy during the pandemicThe loss of a twin and honoring his memoryAdvocating for inclusive parental-leave and insurance coverage at workFighting Ireland’s restrictive surrogacy laws and founding Irish Gay DadsRaising biracial daughters as white Irish dads in HarlemTeaching representation, identity, and cultural pride from day oneWhy advocacy often begins with telling your own story🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Mark and Eoin O’Looney Cannon: Together, they co-run the social media page Two Men in a Surrogacy, where they share their family’s journey and advocate for inclusive, ethical surrogacy practices. Eoin serves as the Vice Chairperson of Irish Gay Dads, a group dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ parents and pushing for legislative reform.🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsor California Cryobank!If you’re listening to this show, there’s a good chance you’re building your family the queer way — and might need a little help in the sperm department. 🩵 Use code QUEERFAM25 at cryobank.com for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedFollow Mark and Eoin: https://www.instagram.com/twomenandasurrogacy/🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What happens when you grow up in an evangelical cult, spend years closeted, marry to appease your family, and still find your way to queerness, healing, and chosen family? Therapist and author SC Nealy (they/she) joins Jaimie to share their powerful story of resilience and reinvention.From a childhood in religious isolation to co-parenting two daughters one block away from their queerplatonic co-parent, SC shows us that family can be redefined—and joyfully so. They talk about surviving their eldest child’s terrifying medical crisis during COVID, leaving behind a judgmental family, building an affirming community, and supporting others through religious trauma and queer family formation.Plus, returning guest Tiq Milan drops by first to talk about building our own spaces when the systems fail us—introducing his new work as a Gender Doula, guiding trans folks and their families through social and emotional transitions.This one’s all heart, healing, and hard truth.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysSC’s journey from evangelical cult to chosen queer familyCreating kids intentionally through “baby-dancing” (the old-fashioned way!)Navigating medical trauma—their baby’s nine surgeries and life-saving resilienceCo-parenting queerly: living a block apart, sharing everything, breaking the moldComing out, losing family, and building chosen family that healsFalling in love again while their partner transitions—and what kids actually noticeThe beauty and power of group therapy in healing communal traumaIntroducing SC’s upcoming book Healing Sacred Wounds (Bloomsbury, Spring 2026)Tiq Milan on gender doulas, toxic masculinity, and creating safe spaces when systems collapse🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈SC Nealy, LMFT (they/she): Therapist, author, and founder of LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative (DC/MD/VA). Specializes in religious trauma, queer family systems, and group therapy.Tiq Milan (he/him): Writer, educator, activist, and now Gender Doula helping families through transitions.🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsor California Cryobank!If you’re listening to this show, there’s a good chance you’re building your family the queer way — and might need a little help in the sperm department. 🩵 Use code QUEERFAM25 at cryobank.com for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedFind SC:Instagram: @scnealy and @lgbtcounselingdmv Websites: www.lgbtcounselingdmv.com www.booksbysarahrobinson.comFind Tiq:Website: https://www.tiqmilan.com/Instagram: @themrmilan🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book \🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this mind-expanding conversation, Jaimie sits down with Maya Gonzalez — genderqueer artist, author, publisher, educator, parent, and creator of The Gender Wheel — an innovative, nature-based framework that reimagines how we understand gender, identity, and self.Maya takes us through their lifelong work of blending art, research, and spirit to help kids (and grownups!) move beyond the binary and return to connection — with themselves, with each other, and with nature. They talk about using children’s books, coloring pages, and even escape-room–style workshops to teach inclusivity and embodiment in playful, accessible ways.The two also dive deep into Maya’s queer family-building journey, from early-2000s home inseminations and complicated co-parenting dynamics to creating a second, deeply grounded family years later. Through it all, Maya’s story is a testament to healing, love, and radical compassion — even for those who’ve caused harm.Sponsored by California Cryobank—use code QueerFam25 for a free Level 2 catalog subscription (and a discount on Level 3). Make those babies; then come tell me about them.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysThe Gender Wheel helps us understand gender as part of a natural, interconnected system — beyond binaries and labels.Kids intuitively get nonbinary and fluid concepts when we approach them through play and nature.Trauma and patriarchy have distorted how we see gender; reconnecting to embodiment and nature helps us heal.Queer, trans, and intersex people have always existed — and have always been sacred keepers of connection and continuum.Maya’s family story shows both the beauty and complexity of queer parenting before legal protections existed.Compassion is essential — even when it’s hard. As Maya says, “People are good at heart; they’ve just been damaged by the system.”🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Maya Gonzalez (they/she) is a genderqueer Chicanx artist, author, and educator based in San Francisco. They’re the creator of The Gender Wheel, a nature-based framework for understanding gender diversity and inclusion. Through their independent publishing house Reflection Press, Maya has authored and illustrated dozens of children’s books — including They, She, He, Me: Free to Be, They, She, He, Easy as ABC, The Gender Wheel, and The Gender and Infinity Book.Maya also runs online and in-person workshops and a Patreon-based school focused on expanding gender education through creativity, embodiment, and play.🩷 Jaimie’s Life UpdateLife is life-ing hard for the Kelwoods! Anne is nearing the end of radiation (almost done 🎉), Jaimie just had uterine surgery to remove endometriosis after 10 years of misdiagnosis, and their 11-year-old recently fractured her ankle. But through it all, they’re finding gratitude, humor, and resilience.🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsor California Cryobank!If you’re listening to this show, there’s a good chance you’re building your family the queer way — and might need a little help in the sperm department. 🩵 Use code QUEERFAM25 at cryobank.com for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedMaya’s Websites:www.genderwheel.comhttps://reflectionpress.com/http://www.mayagonzalez.com/Maya’s PatreonFind Maya on Instagram:@mzmayagonzalez@genderwheel @reflectionpressbooks  🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Kevin and Alim—longtime partners, dads of two, and global citizens—share how they built their family through Canadian surrogacy, what they looked for in an egg donor, and how they talk to their kids about donor conception using a “meet them where they are” approach. We get real about the bio vs. non-bio parent feelings (yes, they’re normal), the difference between a natural birth and a planned C-section as intended parents, and the constant “coming out” kids do at school. Kevin also serves as Vice Chair of Fertility Friends Foundation, a Canadian charity offering fertility grants and partnered IVF cycles nationwide—their Fall application window opened October 1.Sponsored by California Cryobank—use code QueerFam25 for a free Level 2 catalog subscription (and a discount on Level 3). Make those babies; then come tell me about them.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysIntentionality > DNA: Non-bio worries are common; attachment grows through caregiving, time, and presence.Normalize origin stories early: Use “drop the seed” moments—casual, repeated, age-appropriate mentions.Prepare your ‘school scripts’: Short, kind, clear answers for curious adults and kids.Know your lanes (Canada): Surrogacy is legal with restrictions; agency vs. independent both require strong legal and clinical partners.Policy matters: Some citizenship regimes still hinge on DNA, which doesn’t reflect modern families.🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Kevin – Canadian/Swiss dual citizen, longtime New Yorker, Vice Chair at Fertility Friends Foundation, a Canadian registered charity that offers need-based grants and a clinic partnership program covering a full IVF cycle for selected recipients.Alim – Immigrated from Africa to Canada at age six; has lived and worked around the world. Together with Kevin for 21+ years, married 11, dad to Ava (10) and Noah (8).🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsor California Cryobank! Thinking of growing your queer family? Use code QUEERFAM25 at cryobank.com for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedFertility Friends Foundation (Canada) – need-based fertility grants + partner-clinic IVF cycle program. Fall application window opened October 1. (Canada residents only.)California Cryobank – Use code QueerFam25 for a free Level 2 donor catalog subscription (and discount on Level 3).🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.Light content note: discussion of fertility treatment, surrogacy logistics, and a brief mention of DNA requirements for citizenship.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Screens are everywhere — but how do we keep them from taking over our kids’ lives? In this special ally episode, Jaimie sits down with Casey O’Roarty, a positive discipline trainer, parent coach, and host of the Joyful Courage podcast, to talk about raising kids in a high-tech world.Casey shares practical strategies for balancing independence with safety, building critical thinking skills, setting real limits, and creating a united front with other parents. This candid conversation also weaves in Jaimie and Casey’s personal lives — both are supporting spouses through cancer — and how “life is lifing” for them while they navigate parenting tweens and teens.You’ll leave this episode feeling less alone, better equipped, and maybe even inspired to hold a family meeting tonight about screens.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysScreens are a privilege, not a right. With privilege comes responsibility and hard rules.Start basic and build up. If possible, begin with a simple phone and add features gradually.Model what you want to see. Check your own screen habits and talk openly about them.Use “no-phone zones” instead of only time limits. Meals, bedrooms, family movie nights, and cars are good places to start.Collaborate with other parents. A united front makes it easier to hold boundaries.Validate first, explain second. Teens listen better when they feel understood.Add real-life experiences. Independence, chores, sports, and outdoor time help offset tech use.Consider monitoring tools. Apps like Bark can give alerts without constant snooping.Family meetings work. Create a safe space for kids to contribute to tech rules and solutions.🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Casey O’Roarty is a Positive Discipline Lead Trainer and parent coach, the adolescent lead and co-founder of Sproutable. A mom to a 19-year-old and a 22-year-old, she hosts the Joyful Courage podcast for parents of tweens and teens. Casey is passionate about helping parents show up with connection and consistency so their teens can truly thrive.🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsor California Cryobank!Thinking of growing your queer family? Use code QUEERFAM25 at cryobank.com for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedCasey’s website & coaching: besproutable.com/teensJoyful Courage Podcast: Listen wherever you get your podcastsInstagram: @joyful_courageFacebook Group: “Joyful Courage for Parents of Teens”Recommended reading: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt & 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World by Jean Twenge (mentioned in episode)Bark monitoring app & Bark Phone: www.bark.usTed Talk Exposing the Costs of Social Media (mentioned in episode)🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Queer therapist and “kid of queer parents” Ann Russo joins Jaimie to show what ordinary, extraordinary queer family looks like. Raised in the ’80s by a mom, dad, and dad’s partner under one roof—publicly “the roommate” for safety—Ann shares how chosen family (yes, Deadhead potlucks) and three parents taught compassion, and why bio vs. non-bio bonds never mattered. We get religious trauma 101: Ann’s fly-on-the-wall years inside a fundamentalist church as an out teen, what religious trauma is (and isn’t), and practical tools clients can use today—nervous-system grounding, boundary-setting, and how to vet an affirming therapist without having to educate them first. We also process headline grief (recorded right after a church shooting), talk about resisting bad-faith narratives, and lean into queer joy as a form of resilience. Ann’s forthcoming clinician guide on treating religious trauma (2026) ties it all together with steps for centering kids, community, and love when the world feels loud.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysGrowing up with two dads and a mom under one roof—and why it worked“Roommate” life in the ’80s: safety, secrecy, and chosen familyEqual bonds: why bio vs. non-bio didn’t matter in Ann’s housePop-culture panic vs. reality: exposure to queerness doesn’t “make” kids queerReligious trauma 101: definitions, symptoms, and first steps toward repairInside a fundamentalist church (as an out queer person) and what Ann learnedCoping with gun-violence news: nervous-system care, boundaries, communityGenerational love: passing down compassion instead of shameQueer joy as resistance—and as fuel for the long haulHow to vet an affirming therapist (red/green flags, intake clues, language)🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Ann Russo, LCSW — psychotherapist and founder of AMR Therapy; specializes in religious trauma. Currently writing a book to help clinicians treat religious trauma (expected 2026).🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsor California Cryobank!Thinking of growing your queer family? Use code QUEERFAM25 at cryobank.com for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedAMR Therapy (Ann’s practice) — book mailing list availableCOLAGE — community for people with LGBTQ+ parentsHow to Vet a Therapist — look for inclusive forms/language, lived training, clear stancesSupport: The Trevor Project; Trans Lifeline; local LGBTQ+ centers🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy