The Queer Family Podcast – LGBTQ Families & Queer Parenting Stories

The Bio/Non-Bio Myth: Why Love, Not DNA, Makes a Family


Listen Later

Episode Summary (Podcast Apps)

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 Takeaways

  • Intentionality > 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 Mentioned

  • Fertility 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 [email protected]

🎧 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 [email protected]—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-content

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Queer Family Podcast – LGBTQ Families & Queer Parenting StoriesBy Jaimie Kelton – Queer Parenting & LGBTQ Families'.

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

337 ratings


More shows like The Queer Family Podcast – LGBTQ Families & Queer Parenting Stories

View all
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang by Big Money Players Network and iHeartPodcasts

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

8,808 Listeners

Thanks For Asking by Feelings & Co.

Thanks For Asking

13,269 Listeners

Why Won't You Date Me? with Nicole Byer by Headgum & Nicole Byer

Why Won't You Date Me? with Nicole Byer

15,322 Listeners

Two Dykes And A Mic by McKenzie Goodwin and Rachel Scanlon

Two Dykes And A Mic

1,383 Listeners

I Said No Gifts! A comedy interview podcast with Bridger Winegar by Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts

I Said No Gifts! A comedy interview podcast with Bridger Winegar

4,822 Listeners

Home Cooking by Samin Nosrat & Hrishikesh Hirway

Home Cooking

4,857 Listeners

We're Having Gay Sex by Ashley Gavin & Studio71

We're Having Gay Sex

2,703 Listeners

Staying Up with Cammie and Taryn by Staying Up with Cammie and Taryn

Staying Up with Cammie and Taryn

910 Listeners

We Can Do Hard Things by Treat Media and Glennon Doyle

We Can Do Hard Things

41,561 Listeners

Normal Gossip by Normal Gossip

Normal Gossip

5,737 Listeners

The Burnt Toast Podcast by Virginia Sole-Smith

The Burnt Toast Podcast

420 Listeners

Bad Dates by SmartLess Media

Bad Dates

1,597 Listeners

Handsome by Headgum

Handsome

13,286 Listeners

Made It Out by Made It Out Media

Made It Out

1,048 Listeners

Good Hang with Amy Poehler by The Ringer

Good Hang with Amy Poehler

10,070 Listeners