What happens when your best friend offers to help you make a baby?

Jaimie sits down with Kait and Sophie—two queer folks trying to build their family—and their longtime friend (and now known donor!) Oliver. Together, they open up about the winding road that led them to one another, how a heartfelt email changed everything, and the love, planning, and community it takes to make a family—queer style.

This is not your average family-building journey. From navigating fibroids and reciprocal IVF to creating legal contracts and sharing meals during donation week, their story is bursting with intention, humor, and a deep sense of abundance. They’re redefining what family can look like—and we’re lucky to listen in.

🏳️‍🌈 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 Takeaways

• Choosing a known donor over a sperm bank
• Medical complexities & the fibroid factor
• Navigating clinics as a queer trio
• Legal agreements, counseling, and the emotional labor of baby-making
• The beauty (and messiness) of chosen family

📍 Bonus: Hear how they found joy, built connection, and created space for grandparents, even across donor lines.

🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈

Kait and Sophie are a married queer couple deep in the baby-making process, navigating everything from medical hurdles to donor contracts with heart, humor, and a whole lot of intention. Oliver is their longtime friend (and now known donor!) who offered to help grow their family in the most beautiful, chosen-family kind of way. Together, they’re showing us what queer family building can look like when it’s rooted in care, communication, and abundance.

🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentioned

• California Cryobank – Use code: LOVEISLOVE
• Modern Families: Stories of Extraordinary Journeys to Kinship by Joshua Gamson
• And Baby Makes More: Known Donors, Queer Parents, and Our Unexpected Families edited by Susan Goldberg and Chloe Brushwood Rose
• LGBTQIA Family Law Attorneys: Mentioned law firms include Aaron Robinson and Tabitha Coe’s office specializing in queer family planning.d

🏳️‍🌈 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.

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!

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 Takeaways

• Why they chose reciprocal IVF—and why they did it at the same time
• The donor selection process (including that pandemic sperm shortage!)
• Their deeply lesbian love story, from U-Hauls to board books
• Lessons from the postpartum trenches (and why doulas and dog trainers were essential)
• Second-parent adoption x2—just to be safe
• And 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 Mentioned

• California Cryobank – Use code: LOVEISLOVE
• Get you TQFP Merch here!

🏳️‍🌈 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

Photo 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!

Jaimie sits down with Jacob and Riley, a T4T (trans-for-trans) couple redefining what it means to be a modern family. From co-parenting with Jacob’s platonic best friend to conceiving their son using nothing but love, timing, and a little queer magic (yes, really!), this episode is a beautiful, affirming deep-dive into queer love, chosen family, and intentional parenthood.

They open up about stopping hormones to conceive, the emotional journey of pregnancy as a trans man, and how gender identity shaped their experience of becoming “Mom” and “Dad.” If you’ve ever questioned what a queer family can look like—this story is for you.

🏳️‍🌈 Plus, Jaimie shares why queerness isn’t a burden—it’s a higher calling.

🏳️‍🌈 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!

🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways

• Queer family building, redefined: Jacob and Riley show us that with intention, love, and a little queer magic, you can create a family that looks nothing like the so-called “traditional” model—and that’s exactly the point.
• Trans pregnancy joy is real: Jacob carried their baby, and spoiler alert—it wasn’t dysphoric. It was actually beautiful. Let’s expand what we think we know about pregnancy and identity.
• Mom and Dad, but make it queer: They weren’t sure those labels fit them at first. But once their son arrived? The imposter syndrome faded, and the roles made sense in their own unique way.
• Queerness as a calling: Jacob reminds us that being queer isn’t just who we are—it’s why we do what we do. It’s power. It’s purpose. It’s community.

🏳️‍⚧️ About the Guest(s) 🏳️‍🌈

Jacob is a trans man, a seahorse dad, and the founder of Pride and Purpose Coaching, empowering queer folks to live their truth. Riley is a trans mom with a passion for emotional intelligence, spirituality, and chosen family.

🔗 Resources Mentioned

• California Cryobank – Use code: LOVEISLOVE
• Find Jacob at: @prideandpurposecoaching on IG & Facebook 🌐 Website coming soon: prideandpurposecoaching.com
• Everywhere Is Queer Apple and Android

💬 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.

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!

Jaimie sits down with Liam—a Scottish-born, England-based gay dad—who shares the winding road he and his husband took to adopt their daughter through the UK’s foster-to-adopt system. From intense evaluations to surprise newborn pick-up calls, this story is filled with love, bureaucracy, and a whole lot of intention.

You’ll hear how growing up under Section 28 shaped Liam’s identity, how he and his husband made the decision to adopt, and why they ultimately said yes to early permanence—despite the risks. It’s a moving, insightful story that shows just how badass LGBTQIA+ parents are.

🚨 Plus, Jaimie shares a personal update on her wife’s chemotherapy journey and why now is the time to secure those second-parent adoptions if you're in the U.S. 🚨

🏳️‍🌈 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!

🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways

• (00:01:30) Growing up gay under Section 28 in Scotland
• (00:08:15) Jaimie welcomes Liam
• (00:16:00) Why intention is central to queer parenting
• (00:23:35) “The world’s worst game show”: Deciding what you’re equipped to handle in a child
• (00:33:55) Foster-to-adopt in the UK: what it is and why Liam and his husband chose it
• (00:47:40) How a paperwork technicality delayed their adoption by 6 months
• (01:00:50) Why Liam and his husband are choosing to be a one-child family—for now
• 
  

👨‍👨‍👧 About the Guest

Liam is a Scottish-born gay dad living in the north of England with his husband and daughter. His story offers a rare and honest look at the UK’s foster-to-adopt process, shedding light on the emotional and bureaucratic hurdles many queer parents face—and the deep joy that follows.

🔗 Resources Mentioned

• California Cryobank – Use code: LOVEISLOVE
• Gaytriarchs Podcast
• 
  

💬 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 on Amazon, IndieBound, or Audible

🎶 Edited by: Jerson Barajas

🎵 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol

🎨 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato

🛍️ Shop merch here

📜 Full transcript & episode info available on our website

✊🏽 Take Action

• Secure your parental rights with a second-parent adoption
• Support foster youth and adoptive families
• Vote, donate, and advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights
• 
  

📢 Because representation matters—and queer families aren’t going anywhere.

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. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!

Caitlyn, one half of @2ladiesand2babies on social media joins Jaimie to talk all things queer parenting, social media, and the ongoing fight for LGBTQIA+ visibility. From hilarious parenting fails to the not-so-funny rise of online hate, they dive into how social media has shifted for queer creators in today's political climate. They also discuss second-parent adoption, why legal protection is a must for LGBTQ+ families, and how to handle the trolls that come with being openly queer online.

This is a fun and heartfelt conversation between two gay moms who are just trying to raise good humans—while also dealing with a lot of ridiculousness from their kids (and the internet).

🚨 And if you haven’t already, secure your parental rights with a second-parent adoption! Caitlyn and Jaimie share why it's crucial—and how you might not need a lawyer to do it. 🚨

🎧 Listen now for the laughs, the real talk, and a reminder that representation really matters.

🏳️‍🌈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 packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠

🏳️‍🌈 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content & help keep these stories alive!

🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways 🏳️‍🌈

• (00:01:10) Meet Caitlyn from 2ladiesand2babies—hilarious queer content creator and mom of two.
• (00:06:05) Parenting is a shit show—but laughing at it helps.
• (00:12:00) The state of social media: How trolls have ramped up, and why it’s more important than ever to stay visible.
• (00:22:50) "I’m woke AF." Fighting the myth that woke is a bad word.
• (00:36:29) Second-parent adoption: What it is, why it matters, and how you might be able to do it yourself without a lawyer.
• (00:45:31) “I've been lazy.” Jaimie on realizing the fight for LGBTQ+ rights is far from over.
• (00:50:04) Knitting at a protest? It tracks.
• 
  

🏳️‍🌈About The Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈

• Caitlyn is a social media influencer and content creator who, along with her wife, operates the popular social media account "@2ladiesand2babies." Caitlyn shares candid and humorous insights into her family life as a mom of two boys. She brings a unique perspective as a social worker, while her wife is a homicide detective, giving their audience a multifaceted view of family dynamics and parenting. Caitlyn's content is appreciated for its authenticity and humor, often shedding light on everyday parenting challenges with a queer lens.

🏳️‍🌈Resources mentioned in the episode: 

• California Cryobank - cryobank.com (Use code: LOVEISLOVE)
• Find 2ladiesand2babies
• TikTok
• Instagram
• YouTube
• 
  

🏳️‍🌈🎧 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 [email protected]—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

🛍️ Shop our merch here

📜 Full transcript & more info on our website

✊🏽 Want to make a difference?

🗳️ 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!

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. 🔥

🏳️‍🌈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 packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠

🏳️‍🌈 🎧 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 

🏳️‍🌈Resources mentioned in the episode: 

• California Cryobank - cryobank.com (Use code: LOVEISLOVE)

🏳️‍🌈🎧 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 [email protected]—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

🛍️ Shop our merch here

📜 Full transcript & more info on our website

✊ 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!

Heather grew up in the Bible Belt as the daughter of a gay man and a pastor’s granddaughter, suppressing her truth for years. She married a man, started a family, and did everything ‘right’—until, at 38, she realized she was a lesbian… while on a literal therapy call in the closet. Now, she’s untangling decades of religious trauma, reclaiming her identity, and proving that it’s never too late to live your truth.

🏳️‍🌈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 packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠

🏳️‍🌈 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content & help keep these stories alive!

🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways 🏳️‍🌈

• 🏳️‍⚧️ Religious trauma and its lasting impact on queer identity
• 💡 The moment she realized she was a lesbian—while on a literal therapy call in the closet!
• 💜 Coming out while married with kids: the struggles & breakthroughs
• ✨ Healing generational trauma & embracing authenticity
• 👩‍👩‍👧 Co-parenting post-divorce and navigating life after coming out

Heather’s story is raw, real, and so damn relatable for anyone who’s ever questioned themselves or had to untangle the messaging they were raised with. And let’s be honest—many of us have. Her journey reminds us that it’s never too late to live in your truth.

🏳️‍🌈About The Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈

• Heather is a 40-year-old late-in-life lesbian, single mom, and spiritual seeker from Fort Worth, Texas. Raised in a deeply religious environment as the daughter of a gay man, she spent years struggling with religious trauma before fully embracing her truth at age 38. Now, she’s on a mission to heal generational trauma, co-parent with love, and help others navigate the journey to self-acceptance. Heather is also launching a new podcast, Cozy Betches, where she explores healing, queerness, and authenticity.

🏳️‍🌈🎧 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 [email protected]—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

🛍️ Shop our merch here

📜 Full transcript & more info on our website

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!

Jaimie sits down with gender diversity expert Rachel Hulstein-Lowe to talk about raising transgender and non-binary kids in today’s political climate. Rachel, a parent of a non-binary child, shares insights on the impact of anti-trans legislation, generational shifts in understanding gender, and how parents can advocate for their kids. She also opens up about her own family’s history—her father came out in the Midwest during the AIDS crisis—and how the stigma against gay people then mirrors today’s attacks on the trans community. This episode is all about love, resilience, and the power of community in the face of discrimination.

🏳️‍🌈Thanks to our sponsor California Cryobank (use code LOVEISLOVE), and our ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠ supporters.

🏳️‍🌈Interested in advertising? Check out our packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠

🏳️‍🌈Key Takeaways:🏳️‍🌈 

• Acknowledge and understand the parallels between past and present struggles faced by the LGBTQIA+ community in the face of societal opposition and stigmatization.
• Emphasize the importance of staying informed, engaged, and vocal about the challenges and legislative threats faced by the transgender community.
• Advocate for trans rights by actively engaging with others who may not be aware of the issues facing the community.
• Parents are encouraged to believe and support their children throughout their identity journey, as self-discovery and acceptance are pivotal for a child's well-being.
• Building a network of support and community can provide the necessary resources and emotional strength needed to navigate these challenging times.
• 
  

🏳️‍🌈About The Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈

• Rachel Hulstein-Lowe, a gender diversity expert and parent coach currently based in the Boston area, has dedicated her career to uplifting the stories of transgender individuals and their families. Her personal journey is intimately entwined with this mission as she is the proud mom of a non-binary child. Rachel's expertise in social work emphasizes social justice and diversity, making her a valuable voice in discussions around gender identity.
• 
  

🏳️‍🌈Resources mentioned in the episode: 

• California Cryobank - cryobank.com (Use code: LOVEISLOVE)

🏳️‍🌈If you like the episode, make sure to leave us a review and support The Queer Family Podcast on⁠⁠⁠ Patreon ⁠⁠⁠for as low as $2/month!

🏳️‍🌈We want to hear from you! 

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🏳️‍🌈Watch Video Episodes right now on ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠

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🏳️‍🌈Edited by Jerson Barajas 

🏳️‍🌈Theme song: Tiffany Topol 

🏳️‍🌈Logo art: Daneen Stevenato

🏳️‍🌈Buy our merch ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠

🏳️‍🌈For a full transcript of this episode and more info about the host visit our ⁠⁠⁠website

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!

As the U.S. ramps up its attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights, it’s hard not to see the parallels with Italy and other conservative countries tightening their grip on queer families. The Queer Family Podcast dives into this reality with Giuseppe, a single gay dad who built his family through surrogacy in the U.S.—something he could never have done in his home country of Italy, where surrogacy and adoption for queer parents are outright banned.

Despite these barriers, Giuseppe persevered, proving once again that LGBTQIA+ folks will always find a way to thrive. His story is a testament to the power of resilience, chosen family, and the unbreakable spirit of queer parents everywhere. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation about the global fight for family equality and how, no matter what laws are thrown at us, we will keep pushing forward.

🏳️‍🌈Thanks to our sponsor California Cryobank (use code LOVEISLOVE), and our ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠ supporters.

🏳️‍🌈Interested in advertising? Check out our packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠

🏳️‍🌈Key Takeaways:🏳️‍🌈 

• Surrogacy Challenges: Giuseppe highlights the challenges and obstacles of pursuing surrogacy abroad amid Italy's restrictive laws against queer family-building.
• Family & Identity: Giuseppe's journey reveals the struggles of forming a chosen family in a society where traditional norms heavily influence social acceptance.
• Societal Barriers: The narrative underscores the ongoing societal and legislative challenges faced by LGBTQIA families in Italy, including the rollback of rights.
• Community Support: The significance of chosen family and support networks in overcoming personal and societal obstacles is emphasized throughout Giuseppe's story.
• Advocacy & Resilience: Giuseppe's experiences reflect the broader necessity for continuous advocacy for LGBTQIA rights and the power of resilience in the face of adversity.

🏳️‍🌈About The Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈

• Giuseppe is a 56-year-old gay father from Italy who has bravely navigated the complexities of parenthood and identity in a conservative society. His journey to fatherhood involved international surrogacy, defying stringent Italian laws against surrogacy and adoption for single individuals.

🏳️‍🌈Resources mentioned in the episode: 

• California Cryobank - cryobank.com (Use code: LOVEISLOVE)

🏳️‍🌈If you like the episode, make sure to leave us a review and support The Queer Family Podcast on⁠⁠⁠ Patreon ⁠⁠⁠for as low as $2/month!

🏳️‍🌈We want to hear from you! 

 ⁠⁠thequeerfamilypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠IG⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠FB⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠: @thequeerfamilypodcast

🏳️‍🌈Watch Video Episodes right now on ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠

🏳️‍🌈Order the #ITOCT book based on this podcast on ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠IndieBound⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Audible⁠⁠⁠.

🏳️‍🌈Edited by Jerson Barajas. Co-written by Dianni Hall. Theme song: ⁠⁠⁠Tiffany Topol⁠⁠⁠\ Logo art: Daneen Stevenato.

🏳️‍🌈Buy our merch ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠

🏳️‍🌈For a full transcript of this episode and more info about the host visit our ⁠⁠⁠website

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!

Jaimie shares a heartwarming conversation with Sophie and Agnese from London, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of queer families. They detail navigating the NHS fertility system, selecting a sperm donor, and the emotional challenges faced during the process, including a sperm shipment fiasco, a miscarriage, and a couple of womb switches along the way. Through perseverance and adaptability, their journey ultimately leads to a successful pregnancy. Tune in for an inspiring testament to love, determination, and the beautiful complexities of LGBTQIA family-making.

🏳️‍🌈Thanks to our sponsor California Cryobank (use code LOVEISLOVE), and our ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠ supporters.

🏳️‍🌈Interested in advertising? Check out our packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠

🏳️‍🌈Key Takeaways:🏳️‍🌈 

• The process of choosing a sperm donor involves numerous considerations, often shifting from physical attributes to health factors.
• Miscommunications during international sperm shipments can pose significant challenges, but situational resilience is key.
• Emotional support and understanding are crucial in managing the personal and shared complexities linked to fertility treatments and unexpected hurdles.
• Shifting roles in pregnancy within a queer relationship can foster deeper mutual understanding and reinforce the bond between partners

🏳️‍🌈About The Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈

• Sophie and Agnese are a resilient and inspiring queer couple based in London, England. Sophie works as a casting agent in the film industry, while Agnese, originally from Rome, Italy, has established herself in the tech sector. Together for six years and married for two, they are on an incredible journey to build their family, expecting their first child after navigating the complexities and challenges of assisted reproduction as a lesbian couple in the UK.

🏳️‍🌈Resources mentioned in the episode: 

• California Cryobank - cryobank.com (Use code: LOVEISLOVE)

🏳️‍🌈If you like the episode, make sure to leave us a review and support The Queer Family Podcast on⁠⁠⁠ Patreon ⁠⁠⁠for as low as $2/month!

🏳️‍🌈We want to hear from you! 

 ⁠⁠thequeerfamilypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠IG⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠FB⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠: @thequeerfamilypodcast

🏳️‍🌈Watch Video Episodes right now on ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠

🏳️‍🌈Order the #ITOCT book based on this podcast on ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠IndieBound⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Audible⁠⁠⁠.

🏳️‍🌈Edited by Jerson Barajas. Theme song: ⁠⁠⁠Tiffany Topol⁠⁠⁠\ Logo art: Daneen Stevenato.

🏳️‍🌈Buy our merch ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠

🏳️‍🌈For a full transcript of this episode and more info about the host visit our ⁠⁠⁠website

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!