The Queer Family Podcast

Transmasc author and parent Jesse Callans joins Jaimie to flip the parenting script. Jesse shares how he pressed pause on transition to build a family (surprise—then three more!), what it looked like to transition while his kids were 7, 4, 2, and 1, and how toddlers helped distill a complex change down to “the things that stay the same” (yes, there will still be spoons and napkins). We dig into gendered expectations in public, the patronizing “wow, you’re so good with them” dad compliments, and why communal, queer-inspired parenting beats competition every time. Jesse’s middle-grade novel Ollie in Between tackles puberty, identity, and the gaps in sex ed—plus we talk book bans, hope in publishing, and why adults should read middle grade to hug their inner 12-year-old.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysTransition with kids: rename “mommy” → Baba and center “things that stay the same” (routines, roles, rituals) to reduce anxiety.Labels aren’t the hurdle—loss is: toddlers switch pronouns quickly; worries are about everyday continuity (the “spoons & napkins” moment).Gendered bias whiplash: moms get judgment; dads get patronizing praise—either way, caregiving is undervalued.Community > performance: open-door hangouts, shared labor, and imperfect playdates beat competitive, individualist parenting.Paths aren’t linear: an unplanned start can still lead to intentional family and a later transition.Middle grade matters: Ollie in Between fills puberty/identity and sex-ed gaps—adults should read MG to “hug your inner 12-year-old.”Bans vs. demand: book challenges are real, but publishers and readers still want queer stories—keep requesting and buying.🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Jesse Callans is a trans masculine author and father, known for his insightful writings that delve into gender identity and parenting. Having birthed four children, Jesse captures the complexities of family dynamics through a queer lens. His recent work includes the middle-grade novel "Ollie in Between," which addresses the challenging experiences of puberty from a perspective that champions inclusivity and understanding. Jesse resides near Philadelphia and uses his personal experiences to inform his engaging and meaningful stories.🏳️‍🌈 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 MentionedJesse’s book: Ollie in Between (Five One Friends/Macmillan) — find it at your local indie or wherever books are soldFollow Jesse: Instagram @jesscallensNewsletter: Get Jesse’s ongoing queer book recs — subscribe via QueerFamilyPodcast.comCruise with us: Spring Break April 2–6, 2026 to the Bahamas with Gays With Kids (Jaimie + family, José Rolón, Brian Rosenberg & lots of queer fams). Tell them Jaimie sent you.Sponsor: California Cryobank — QUEERFAM25 = free Level 2 donor-catalog subscription (and a discount toward 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.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 went in-studio (!) with journalist Orion Rummler (The 19th) and Rachel Minkin (Pew Research Center, and a gay mom) to unpack Pew’s major 2025 study of LGBTQ+ Americans—released around the 10-year anniversary of Obergefell. We talk social acceptance gaps (L/G & bi vs. trans/nonbinary), how data actually moves policy, the everyday realities of queer family-building (hello, insurance barriers), chosen family, medical micro/macro-aggressions, and what comes next. Orion also shares reporting on transmasculine pregnancy; Rachel brings the numbers and her family story.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysAcceptance isn’t equal: 61% of LGBTQ adults see at least “a fair amount” of acceptance for gay/lesbian people; 52% for bisexual people; only 13–14% for transgender and nonbinary people.Trendlines still point up: Majorities say acceptance is higher than 10 years ago and expect more gains over the next decade—even amid political backlash.Policy needs data: Large, representative studies (and government data) inform public dialogue, services, and protections; rollbacks to data collection threaten visibility.Queer family-building is intentional—and costly: Insurance exclusions and uneven laws add hurdles; chosen family often fills the gaps.Economics & education: Same-sex married couples (especially male couples) show higher rates of dual full-time work and bachelor’s degrees—translating to different economic and political power.Healthcare matters: Trans adults report higher rates of poor treatment; everyday medical interactions still misread queer families.History gap: Older LGBTQ+ adults report knowing more about LGBTQ history; we’re all standing on the shoulders of giants—teach it.🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Orion Rummler — Reporter at The 19th covering LGBTQ+ news at the intersection of gender, politics, and policy. Recent work includes a KFF partnership on transmasculine pregnancy in post-Roe America.Follow: 19thnews.org | Free newsletters availableRachel Minkin — Research Associate at Pew Research Center and gay mom. She helped lead Pew’s 2025 nationally representative study of LGBTQ+ Americans (plus qualitative interviews with same-sex parents). Read: pewresearch.org🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedFamily Equality – familyequality.orgPew Research + The 19th Study on LGBTQ+ families, 10 years after ObergefellPew Research Center – LGBTQ+ Americans study (2025)The 19th (named for the 19th Amendment) — journalism free to read, with newslettersCalifornia Cryobank — donor catalog (code QUEERFAM25)🏳️‍🌈 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/🏳️‍🌈 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 Season 20 opener, Jaimie sits down in person (for the first time in years!) with two powerhouse voices in the LGBTQIA+ family-building world: José Rolón (aka NYC Gay Dad) and Luce Remey (VP of Public Policy at Family Equality). Together, they dive deep into what it really means to build, protect, and nurture queer families in today’s political climate. From navigating wills, Social Security benefits, and second-parent adoptions, to standing firm against legislative attacks on our rights, José and Luce remind us that our intentionality as queer parents comes with both gratitude and baggage—and that community is what makes it all possible.The conversation also gets personal: José opens up about blending his family with his partner Thomas, raising three kids as a widowed gay dad, and showing up for his daughters through life’s milestones. Luce shares her own journey toward adoption, how her work in policy is informed by personal experience, and why allies (or as she calls them, accomplices) are essential in this fight. This episode is both heartwarming and eye-opening—a powerful reminder that our families are resilient, intentional, and here to stay.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysQueer family-building comes with baggage—and gratitude. Unlike many straight families, our paths often require legal, financial, and emotional hurdles. Yet through this, we build communities of care and gratitude.Legal protections matter. Birth certificates are not enough—second-parent adoptions, wills, and updated life insurance policies are crucial to protect queer families across state lines.Policy impacts everyone. As Luce highlights, every advancement in LGBTQ+ family law also benefits straight families. Simplifying processes like second-parent adoption makes parenting more accessible for all.Visibility + advocacy are survival tools. From José’s story of fighting for Social Security benefits to Luce’s vigilance against legislative rollbacks, representation and advocacy remain essential to protect our rights.Blended families take intentional work. José’s journey with his partner Thomas shows the beauty and challenges of merging lives, parenting styles, and kids’ evolving needs.Community is everything. Whether through chosen family, allies-turned-accomplices, or organizations like Family Equality, queer parents thrive when we lift each other up.🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈José Rolón (aka NYC Gay Dad) is a New York City wedding planner, content creator, and outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ+ and Latinx communities. A widowed father of three, José shares openly about grief, resilience, single parenthood, and now, blending his family with his partner. His voice has become a powerful presence in both advocacy spaces and social media, where he normalizes and celebrates queer fatherhood.Luce Remey is the Vice President of Public Policy at Family Equality, where she leads state and federal advocacy to ensure LGBTQ+ families can be created, recognized, and supported. A Washingtonian, lesbian, knitter, and soon-to-be parent, Luce combines lived experience with policy expertise to push for systemic changes that make family-building more equitable. She believes “it shouldn’t take a lawyer to create a family” and works every day to make that vision a reality.🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedFamily Equality – familyequality.orgPew Research + The 19th Study on LGBTQ+ families, 10 years after ObergefellSecond-parent adoption resources and recommendations from family attorneysSocial Security benefits guidance for queer families navigating parentage and survivor rights🏳️‍🌈 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/🏳️‍🌈 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

🎉 Bonus Episode Alert! 🎉 Season 20 officially drops on September 1st, but while you wait, we’ve got one last bonus for you. This heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation redefines what it means to parent in our queer, messy, beautiful, modern world.Writer, activist, and parent S. Bear Bergman sits down with Jaimie to explore love, family, and LGBTQIA identity against the backdrop of today’s political climate.Bear shares his journey from coming out at 15 to more than 35 years of activism and parenting as a queer, trans parent. Together, they unpack the joys and challenges of inclusive parenting, co-parenting with a known donor, and raising kids with progressive values.Bear also introduces his new book, Special Topics in Being a Parent, which is full of insights for parents navigating inclusive family life. Expect a conversation that’s equal parts heartfelt, hopeful, and humorous — and a reminder that queer families are always rewriting the rules of what parenthood can look like.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysBear’s journey from queer teen to seasoned activist and parent.The realities of co-parenting with a known donor.How to practice inclusive parenting and live progressive values.Why telling our stories is more important than ever in today’s political climate.🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedLearn more about S. Bear Bergman• Grab a copy of Special Topics in Being a Parent 🏳️‍🌈 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? Check out our sponsor packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠🎧 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

🎉 BONUS REPLAY: Flipping the Script on Foster AdoptionAs we gear up for the launch of Season 20 this September (!!!), I’m revisiting some of my favorite episodes from past seasons. These stories continue to resonate, inspire, and remind us why queer family visibility matters—every single day.Originally aired in Season 13, this heartfelt and eye-opening episode features Ed Center, a husband, father, and educator who shares his family's journey through foster adoption with humor, grace, and deep honesty.Ed and his husband—both Filipino men—broke stereotypes by adopting two white children, and their story takes a powerful turn during the pandemic, when their eldest child faced a serious mental health challenge. This moment pushed Ed to reevaluate his parenting approach, leading him toward more inclusive, conscious caregiving practices.Out of that journey came a mission: Ed founded Village Well Parenting, an initiative dedicated to equipping other parents—especially those in queer, adoptive, and multicultural families—with tools to raise strong, supported, emotionally resilient kids.In this episode, we explore:The unique layers of transracial queer adoptionNavigating mental health crises as a parentWhat it means to unlearn and relearn parenting practicesCreating inclusive spaces for adopted children of colorBuilding intentional, mindful, queer-led families🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Ed Center was a kid with big feelings and challenging behaviors. He drove his parents and teachers bonkers. Now he helps grown-ups understand and support these kids. Ed founded The Village Well, an organization that helps parents and educators find more calm, joy, and connection. Ed is Triple P™ certified parenting coach and educator who specializes in working with families of color. His goal is to help people to tap into cultural wisdom while interrupting intergenerational pain. Ed is a queer brown dad who has worked in education for 30 years. He and his husband built their family through foster adoption. The child of a Filipino American mom and White American dad, Ed grew up in Hawai’i, and feels at home there, in the Philippines, in San Francisco, and wherever he smells good barbecue.🏳️‍🌈 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? Check out our sponsor packages ⁠⁠⁠here🎧 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

🎉 BONUS EPISODE DROP! 🎉As I get ready to launch Season 20 of The Queer Family Podcast this September(!), I’m sharing a few guest appearances that I think deserve a spot in this feed. This week, I joined Dr. Kelsey Duncan on The Fertility Confidence Podcast to talk candidly about queer fertility, intentional parenthood, donor selection, and the legal complexities that queer families face. If you're navigating the path to parenthood—or supporting someone who is—this one's for you.Fertility, Donor Sperm, and Queer Parenthood with Jaimie KeltonIn this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, Jaimie Kelton—host of The Queer Family Podcast—joins Dr. Kelsey Duncan to share her personal journey through unexplained infertility and the many layers of queer family building.Together, they explore:How Jaimie and her wife navigated donor sperm selection (and why she calls it the “search for the superhuman”)The emotional and financial realities of fertility treatment as a queer coupleThe importance of telling your kids the truth about their origin stories from the startWhat straight couples can learn from queer family-building journeysLegal hurdles many LGBTQIA+ families face—including second-parent adoptionWhy representation, community, and candid conversations are essential to this processThis episode is a deep, honest look at what it really takes to build a family when the world hasn’t designed a straightforward path for you—and how beauty can still be found in the twists and turns.🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Check out our sponsor packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠🏳️‍🌈 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/🎧 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 🗳️ 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

🎉 Bonus Episode Drop! 🎉While we gear up for Season 20 of The Queer Family Podcast, we're sharing this powerful conversation Jaimie had as a guest on the No Guilt Mom podcast! We talked all things queer family building, parenting with purpose, standing up (loudly) for what’s right—and yes, even voiceover work and musical theater. Enjoy this bonus episode while you wait for what's coming next!Upstanders vs. Bystanders: Embracing Allyship for LGBTQ Families Everywhere with Jaimie KeltonWhat do you get when you mix voiceover talent, musical theatre chops, and two kids made with a lot of love (and even more paperwork)? You get Jaimie Kelton—host of the LGBTQ family podcast The Queer Family Podcast and all-around awesome human.In this episode, we dive into allyship that actually shows up, why inclusivity isn’t optional (especially in parenting), and how representation helps us all raise better humans. Oh—and did we mention the cupcakes at school board protests? Yeah, that happened. Also, Jaimie literally brought her sperm donor out of retirement. No big deal.If you've ever wondered how to be a better ally—or just want to hear real talk with a lot of heart and a few giggles—this one’s for you. 💖🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Check out our sponsor packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠🏳️‍🌈 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/🎧 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

🎉 Bonus Episode Drop! 🎉While Jaimie gears up for Season 20 of The Queer Family Podcast—launching this August!—she's sharing this bonus episode from her recent guest appearance on the No One Told Us podcast. It’s a beautiful conversation about queer parenting, representation, and the honest, hilarious chaos of raising kids while gay. Enjoy this sneak peek into what’s to come next season!Episode 92: Celebrating Queer Families & Normalizing Representation with Jaimie from the Queer Family PodcastIn this episode Rachael welcomes Jaimie, the creator of the Queer Family Podcast, for a vibrant and heartfelt conversation about what it really means to parent within the LGBTQIA+ community. From being both a bio and non-bio mom to navigating public perception and household dynamics, Jaimie brings her signature humor and honesty to this vital conversation about visibility, inclusivity, and the beautiful messiness of parenthood. Whether you're part of a queer family or simply want to raise your children in a more inclusive world, this episode offers perspective, laughter, and practical tips for celebrating every kind of family.Inside this episode:• The unique joys and challenges queer families face• How to bond with your child as a non-bio parent• The power of humor in parenting and tackling tough topics• Why curiosity in kids about family structures should be welcomed, not feared• How household responsibilities can be shared based on strengths—not stereotypes• Why representation for LGBTQIA+ families matters deeply• The role of inclusive books in early childhood• Normalizing queer family dynamics in everyday life• Postpartum reflections from the non-birthing parent• The beauty and complexity of queer love, parenting, and visibility• Plus SO much more!🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Check out our sponsor packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠🏳️‍🌈 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/🎧 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

Haven and Koy's journey to parenthood included IVF, IUIs, anonymous and known donors, multiple moves, and ultimately foster care—where they met and adopted their 6-year-old son, River. In this final episode of our Pride Extravaganza, they open up to our host, Jaimie Kelton, about what it’s really like navigating foster-to-adopt as queer parents, how loss and resilience shaped their parenting journey, and how all of it inspired a new film.Oh—and did we mention River is the star of that film?This episode is loud, joyful, chaotic, and beautifully honest—just like queer family life.🎙️ “Each child has their own story, and I don’t own them—I’m just a steward of this being in this particular form.” - Haven🏳️‍🌈 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!🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Check out our sponsor packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠🏳️‍🌈 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/🎧 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🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysQueer family building isn’t linear. Haven and Koy tried it all—IVF, IUI, anonymous and known donors—before ultimately becoming parents through foster-to-adopt.Loss and resilience go hand in hand. Their journey included fertility struggles and miscarriage, but they remained open to the many ways a family can form.Foster care is complex—and emotional. They share what it’s really like to foster with the hope of adopting, and how they advocated fiercely to keep their son, River, in their home.Chosen family is real (and loud). River’s extended family includes his birth relatives and his very queer, very loving forever parents—and yes, sometimes a dog or cat impression.Art imitates life. Koy turned their family’s experience into a powerful new film, Getting Back, exploring grief, healing, and the magic of imagination—with River in the starring role.🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Haven and Koy are partners, parents, and creatives raising their son, River, in Oregon. Haven is an attorney and actor-turned-filmmaker, and Koy is a musician and comedian with a flair for the unexpected (she once had three personas on stage at once—ask her about it). Together, they’ve navigated the complex and emotional terrain of queer family building—from IVF and known donor insemination to the foster care system and adoption.Their lived experience inspired Haven’s latest film, Getting Back, starring none other than River himself. The film is a meditation on grief, love, and imagination—everything their family is built on🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedGetting Back Movie Trailer - https://youtu.be/NvFmif_k8fE?feature=sharedWebsite: riverwildfilms.comInstagram - @gettingbackfilm🏳️‍🌈 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

Can cis men be lactation consultants? Can trans folks chestfeed? Can someone who had top surgery still make milk? YES, YES, and YES. In this eye-opening Pride Extravaganza episode, Jaimie sits down with Jacob Engelsman, a cisgender queer man, lactation consultant, and author of Lactation for the Rest of Us, a groundbreaking guide designed specifically for queer and trans families. Together, they dive into all the whos, whys, and hows of induced lactation—debunking myths and expanding the conversation around who gets to feed babies with their bodies. Jacob also shares his personal story of love, queerness, and staying connected to his trans husband through their evolving identities.🎉 NYC Queer Fam! Don’t forget to RSVP to the Pride Family Meet-Up on June 28th at Sugar Mouse!There’ll be games for the kids, a full bar for the adults, and a Drag Story Hour with Miz Jade! All the info is right here. 🏳️‍🌈📸 Learn more about discounted photo sessions with Suzanne:www.suzannefiorephotography.comMention The Queer Family Podcast to receive a special offer.🏳️‍🌈 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!🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Check out our sponsor packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠🏳️‍🌈 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/🎧 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🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysInducing lactation for trans women, trans men, and non-binary folksBreastfeeding/chestfeeding after top surgeryHow society sees queer families (before vs. after transition)What most people don’t know about lactationJacob’s unique journey from food service to lactation expertStaying connected through a partner’s transitionQueer visibility, medical bias, and access to careBecoming a “guncle” and chosen family prideThe power of scrappy queer problem-solving🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Jacob Engelsman (he/him) is a queer cisgender man, IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), educator, and the author of Lactation for the Rest of Us: A Guide for Queer and Trans Parents and Helpers. He specializes in supporting LGBTQIA+ families on their feeding journeys and is committed to making lactation knowledge more inclusive and accessible.🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentioned📚 Order the book on Bookshop📱 Instagram: @jacobibclc🌐 Website: jacobengelsmanibclc.com🏳️‍🌈 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

Peggy Gillespie returns to The Queer Family Podcast with even more stories, accolades, and queer advocacy badassery.Peggy Gillespie, co-founder of Family Diversity Projects and creator of Love Makes a Family and Authentic Selves, is back for our Pride Extravaganza—and she has not slowed down. Since her first appearance on the show, Peggy has been honored by Family Equality, hugged by Katie Couric, and danced her way into queer history. In this episode, host Jaimie Kelton sits down with Peggy to hear about the Family Equality Gala, her powerful new exhibits centering trans and nonbinary folks, and her ongoing mission to flood schools, libraries, and public spaces with true representation.They also unpack why “normal” is a dangerous word, how early childhood bias takes root, and why telling our stories—especially in this political climate—is more vital than ever.🎙️ “If you want to hate people, go hate the people causing violence and injustice in the world—not the people just trying to live as their authentic selves.” – Peggy Gillespie🏳️‍🌈 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!🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Check out our sponsor packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠🎧 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🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysHow a racist moment in her child’s preschool led to a national movement for representationThe creation and impact of “Love Makes a Family,” “Of Many Colors,” and “Authentic Selves”Peggy’s surprise spotlight moment at the Family Equality GalaBringing LGBTQIA+ and multiracial family exhibits to schools and workplacesHer dreams for a scripted series based on Family Week in Provincetown🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Peggy Gillespie is the co-founder of Family Diversity Projects and the creator behind groundbreaking exhibits like Love Makes a Family and Authentic Selves. For over 30 years, she’s been amplifying stories of LGBTQIA+, multiracial, and underrepresented families in schools, libraries, and public spaces nationwide. Peggy is a writer, activist, and proud queer mom—and a true force for inclusion.🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedLearn more and support: familydiversityprojects.org🏳️‍🌈 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

Darra Gordon, the new CEO of Family Equality, joins host Jaimie to share her wild, beautiful, and intentional journey to queer parenthood—while simultaneously leading in LGBTQ+ advocacy. In a conversation filled with laughs, wisdom, and the occasional tween meltdown tangent, Dara opens up about trying to conceive at the same time as her wife, choosing donors (yes, plural), navigating unexpected challenges, and raising three incredible kids—including a nonbinary teen—in a world that’s not always built for queer families. Plus, they discuss why Family Equality’s work matters more than ever in our current political climate.🎙️ "We were dating... and trying to get pregnant at the same time." — Darra Gordon🏳️‍🌈 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!🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Check out our sponsor packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠🎧 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🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysTrying to conceive at the same time as your partner (!)Choosing sperm donors before even meeting each otherDonor egg decisions and honoring cultural heritageThe emotional layers of queer fertility journeysRaising a nonbinary teen with pride and purposeWhy queer families need legal protections—and how Family Equality is fighting for them🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Darra Gordon (she/her) is the newly appointed CEO of Family Equality, a national organization dedicated to advancing equality for LGBTQ+ families. A lifelong nonprofit leader and social justice advocate, Dara brings decades of experience from roles at GLAAD and the Hetrick-Martin Institute, where she led organizational growth and transformation. Outside of her powerhouse advocacy work, Dara is a proud queer mom of three—including a nonbinary teen—and is deeply committed to building a world where all families are seen, supported, and protected. Her work and her parenting are both rooted in intention, visibility, and love.🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedFamily Equality – Learn more about the organization Dara leads and their critical work advocating for LGBTQ+ families through education, policy, and legal support.California Cryobank – Thinking about building your family with donor sperm? Use code QUEERFAM25 for a free Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog.Second-Parent Adoption & Parentage Resources – Not sure what legal protections your family needs? Family Equality’s guide to parentage and adoption laws can help.Personal Best – Darra’s queer awakening movie recommendation! A 1982 cult classic about two women athletes falling in love.Need support on your queer family-building journey? Browse The Queer Family Podcast’s archive for dozens of real stories from folks who’ve been there.🏳️‍🌈 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

Kyle Casey Chu (@pandadulce) is a drag performer, author, filmmaker, and one of the founding queens of Drag Story Hour—and in this powerful Pride Extravaganza episode, Kyle joins host Jaimie Kelton to talk about the art and activism that’s helping queer youth thrive. Kyle opens up about growing up in San Francisco with his autistic twin brother, coming out in middle school, and how queer joy, drag, and storytelling became his path to healing.He shares the terrifying moment when Proud Boys stormed his reading at a public library—and how he turned that trauma into a short film now making waves on the festival circuit. And Kyle’s not stopping there: he also just released his debut middle-grade novel The Queen Bees of Tybee County, a story rooted in queer joy, chosen identity, and pageant glamor.This conversation is about imagination, healing, and finding light even in dark places. It’s a celebration of the resilience of queer families, kids, creators, and the radical power of showing up in joy.🎙️ “We don’t have the benefit of systems being created for us. So we have to craft them by hand. And hurt.” – Kyle Casey Chu🏳️‍🌈 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!🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Check out our sponsor packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠🎧 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🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysThe origins of Drag Story Hour and its missionKyle’s journey as a queer Chinese American artistFacing and responding to hate with courage and creativityWriting queer joy for middle schoolers in The Queen Bees of Tybee CountyHow media representation impacts identityThe importance of queer imagination🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈 Kyle Casey Chu, AKA Panda Dulce is a San Francisco-based drag performer, writer, filmmaker, and one of the pioneering figures of Drag Story Hour, a program designed to introduce children to diverse role models through the art of storytelling. Known for his work in social advocacy and his creative pursuits, Kyle holds a background in social work and education. He is also an accomplished author with his debut middle-grade book, "The Queen Bees of Tybee County," and the filmmaker behind "After What Happened at the Library", which sheds light on his personal experience with hate crime.🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedThe Queen Bees of Tybee County After What Happened at the Library is currently on the festival circuit🏳️‍🌈 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

Brian Crano and David Joseph Craig are husbands, dads, filmmakers—and now the creators of a new dark comedy based on their real journey to queer parenthood. In this powerful and delightfully funny Pride Extravaganza episode, they sit down with host Jaimie Kelton to share how their long, complicated path to adoption—complete with a scam, soul-searching, and spreadsheets—turned into “I Don’t Understand You,” a heartfelt horror-comedy now hitting theaters.The couple opens up about the grief, the grit, and the gay tax of becoming parents, how their birth mother became the hero of their story, and why queer joy deserves more screen time. Plus, Jaimie shares her reactions to the film (spoiler alert: she hasn’t finished it yet) and why telling our stories, no matter the genre, is an act of pride.🎙️ “There’s a level of loss in queer family building. And also? So much joy.🏳️‍🌈 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!🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Check out our sponsor packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠🎧 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🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysFrom blind date to 15 years togetherA dark comedy based on their actual adoption journeyFacing a devastating adoption scam—and choosing to keep goingWorking with a lawyer instead of an agencyWhy their birth mother is the hero of the storyThe trauma, thoughtfulness, and transformation of queer family buildingCentering queer joy on screen🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Brian Crano and David Joseph Craig are partners in life, parenting, and storytelling. As filmmakers, their work explores the beauty, absurdity, and emotional complexity of modern life—and now, queer family building. Their new film, “I Don’t Understand You” (starring Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells), is based on their own experience navigating the U.S. adoption system and finding joy, love, and humor in the chaos. They live in Los Angeles with their 5-year-old son.🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentioned🎥 I Don’t Understand You – In theaters nowBrian and David on Instagram: @cranoandcraig🏳️‍🌈 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

Darren Graham (@therealdarrengraham), a single gay dad by choice and content creator, shares his beautiful and powerful journey to fatherhood. Originally from St. Vincent, Darren opens up to host Jaimie Kelton about his path through trauma, coming into his queerness, and eventually adopting his son as a solo parent. He also shares how parenting has become a space of healing and intention, and why he never "came out"—he simply confirmed who he was all along. This episode is a celebration of resilience, chosen family, and the many ways queer folks build home.🎙️ "I didn’t come out. I just confirmed who I’ve been all along." - Darren Graham🏳️‍🌈 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!🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Check out our sponsor packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠🎧 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🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysGrowing up in St. Vincent and navigating identityTrauma, resilience, and the healing power of parentingBecoming a single gay dad by choice through adoptionQueer family visibility and representationWhy Darren never "came out"🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Darren Graham is a single gay dad by choice, content creator, and fierce advocate for queer families. His candid and joyful posts on social media (@therealdarrengraham) have resonated with thousands, and he uses his platform to highlight the beauty and realities of intentional parenthood. Originally from St. Vincent, Darren now lives in the U.S. with his young son.🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedDarren on Instagram: @therealdarrengraham🏳️‍🌈 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

It’s Pride Extravaganza, y’all! 🌈To kick off this month-long celebration of queer family goodness, Jaimie sits down with Brian Rosenberg, longtime advocate, dad of three, and founder of Gays With Kids and GWK Academy. From navigating HIV and homophobia in the '80s to building a beautiful family through adoption and surrogacy, Brian shares his powerful story with honesty, humor, and heart.He opens up about the challenges of coming out as HIV-positive before coming out as gay, what it was like to raise kids during a time when queer family building had very little visibility, and why he’s now dedicated to making the process easier for all LGBTQIA+ folks looking to become parents. You’ll laugh, cry, and walk away feeling a little more seen.🎙️ “I’m one of the first out gay men living with HIV to have biological kids through surrogacy. Now there are hundreds of us—and counting.” – Brian Rosenberg🏳️‍🌈 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!🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Check out our sponsor packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠🎧 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🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysBrian’s coming out journey and living with HIVAdoption heartbreak and eventual joyBecoming one of the first out gay men to use sperm washingRaising twins through surrogacyThe creation of Gays With Kids and GWK AcademyResources for every LGBTQIA+ family-building path🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈 Brian Rosenberg is the founder of Gays with Kids and the GWK Academy. He is an advocate for LGBTQIA+ families and has been instrumental in providing resources and support for gay men and the broader LGBTQ community on their journeys to parenthood. Brian, along with his husband, has three children gained through adoption and surrogacy. His initiatives through Gays with Kids aim to help others navigate the complexities of gay fatherhood and family building.🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedGays With KidsGWK AcademyGays with Kids on InstagramGWK Academy on Instagram🏳️‍🌈 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 and her wife Anne share a heartfelt update on Anne's breast cancer journey, including the challenges of chemotherapy, unexpected back surgery, and the support from their community. They discuss upcoming medical procedures and the emotional toll of their experiences. Photographer Suzanne Fiore joins the conversation to offer discounted sessions for queer families, highlighting the importance of capturing family moments. Listeners are encouraged to celebrate and document their families, emphasizing love and resilience within the LGBTQ+ community.🎉 NYC Queer Fam! Don’t forget to RSVP to the Pride Family Meet-Up on June 28th at Sugar Mouse!There’ll be games for the kids, a full bar for the adults, and a Drag Story Hour with Miz Jade! All the info is right here. 🏳️‍🌈📸 Learn more about discounted photo sessions with Suzanne: www.suzannefiorephotography.com Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive a special offer.🏳️‍🌈 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!🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Check out our sponsor packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠🎧 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🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysAnne’s breast cancer diagnosis and treatmentCoping with chemo, foot drop, and emergency spinal surgeryParenting and queer family life through crisisThe importance of community supportPride Month reflections and eventsWhy family photos matter more than everSpecial offer from ally photographer Suzanne Fiore🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Suzanne Fiore: A talented photographer and longtime friend of host Jaimie, Suzanne Fiore is known for her work with families, offering photography sessions that capture the essence and beauty of everyday life. With a focus on inclusivity, Suzanne has aligned her services with the LGBTQ+ community and other communities, offering special discounts to uplift their representation through family portraits. She is based in the NYC tri-state area.🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentionedwww.suzannefiorephotography.com🏳️‍🌈 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 joyful, visibility-filled throwback deserves another listen.Originally aired during our 2023 Pride Extravaganza, this episode features Brian and Alec Mazelin, a gay couple raising their daughter and showing up online as their fabulous, authentic selves. Their story of love, intentional family building, and unapologetic visibility is exactly what we need right now.🎙️ “The more we show up, the more space we take up—and that matters.” – Brian MazelinIn a time when LGBTQIA+ families are being erased from classrooms and attacked in legislation, the Mazelins’ presence is political. Their family is love in action, and this episode is your reminder that we’re still here, still queer, and still thriving.🛑 This episode originally aired in June 2023, but its message is even more vital in 2025.🎧 Take a listen. Share it wide. Let’s take up space together.🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsor California Cryobank!Thinking of growing your queer family? Use code LOVEISLOVE at cryobank.com for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Check out our sponsor packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠🎧 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🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysFinding your community and building it yourselfDeciding to show up publicly as a queer familyParenting a young daughter while navigating online hate—and loveUsing humor and honesty to shift narrativesWhy being seen is part of the resistance🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Brian and Alec Mazelin (@meetthemazelins) are husbands, fathers, and content creators using their platform to normalize LGBTQ+ families and spread a message of pride, joy, and unapologetic queer parenting.🏳️‍🌈 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 Pride Month warm-up replay is a must-listen.Peggy Gillespie—author, queer parent, and co-director of Family Diversity Projects—has been celebrating LGBTQIA+ families and underrepresented voices for decades. In this episode (originally part of our Pride Extravaganza), she shares how her work has helped shift hearts and minds across the country—including the very communities where our identities are under attack today.🎙️ “A child should wear what they feel comfortable in.” – Peggy GillespieWe’re bringing this one back now because, in a time when lawmakers like Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott continue to pass anti-LGBTQ legislation, we need stories like Peggy’s more than ever. From Don’t Say Gay bills to book bans, our families are under fire. But Peggy reminds us that queer joy, truth, and visibility will always be revolutionary.🛑 This episode originally aired in June 2022 as part of our Pride Extravaganza, but it hits harder than ever in 2025.🎧 Take a listen. Share it wide. And let’s keep showing up.🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Check out our sponsor packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠🎧 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 here.🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentioned💥 Learn more about Peggy:🔗 Facebook🔗 LinkedIn🏳️‍🌈 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

Two mamas. Two wombs. One donor. In this episode, Ana and Becky share their epic journey of building a family through simultaneous reciprocal IVF—yes, they were both pregnant at the same time. From pandemic sperm shortages to second-parent adoption logistics, this is a deeply lesbian, wildly honest, and beautifully queer tale of love, planning, and two babies born just five weeks apart.This is a story of planning, spreadsheets, love, and so much queer resilience. Also, sperm selfies. And silk pajamas. You don’t want to miss this one.🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsor California Cryobank!Thinking of growing your queer family? Use code LOVEISLOVE at cryobank.com for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!Check out Everywhere is Queer! IOS l Android🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Check out our sponsor packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠🏳️‍🌈 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysWhy they chose reciprocal IVF—and why they did it at the same timeThe donor selection process (including that pandemic sperm shortage!)Their deeply lesbian love story, from U-Hauls to board booksLessons from the postpartum trenches (and why doulas and dog trainers were essential)Second-parent adoption x2—just to be safeAnd the beauty of watching your two toddlers snuggle up in the same bed at night🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Ana and Becky are a married couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area. They’re thoughtful, funny, spreadsheet-loving parents of two, passionate about intentional family building, queer visibility, and silk pajamas.🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedCalifornia Cryobank – Use code: LOVEISLOVEGet you TQFP Merch here!🏳️‍🌈 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 websitePhoto Credit: Lila Gray Photography🗳️ 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