The Queer Family Podcast

Two Dads, One Mom, Zero Apologies | Therapist Ann Russo on Religious Trauma, Chosen Family & Queer Joy


Listen Later

Queer therapist and “kid of queer parents” Ann Russo joins Jaimie to show what ordinary, extraordinary queer family looks like. Raised in the ’80s by a mom, dad, and dad’s partner under one roof—publicly “the roommate” for safety—Ann shares how chosen family (yes, Deadhead potlucks) and three parents taught compassion, and why bio vs. non-bio bonds never mattered. We get religious trauma 101: Ann’s fly-on-the-wall years inside a fundamentalist church as an out teen, what religious trauma is (and isn’t), and practical tools clients can use today—nervous-system grounding, boundary-setting, and how to vet an affirming therapist without having to educate them first. We also process headline grief (recorded right after a church shooting), talk about resisting bad-faith narratives, and lean into queer joy as a form of resilience. Ann’s forthcoming clinician guide on treating religious trauma (2026) ties it all together with steps for centering kids, community, and love when the world feels loud.

🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways

  • Growing up with two dads and a mom under one roof—and why it worked
  • “Roommate” life in the ’80s: safety, secrecy, and chosen family
  • Equal bonds: why bio vs. non-bio didn’t matter in Ann’s house
  • Pop-culture panic vs. reality: exposure to queerness doesn’t “make” kids queer
  • Religious trauma 101: definitions, symptoms, and first steps toward repair
  • Inside a fundamentalist church (as an out queer person) and what Ann learned
  • Coping with gun-violence news: nervous-system care, boundaries, community
  • Generational love: passing down compassion instead of shame
  • Queer joy as resistance—and as fuel for the long haul
  • How to vet an affirming therapist (red/green flags, intake clues, language)


🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈

Ann Russo, LCSW — psychotherapist and founder of AMR Therapy; specializes in religious trauma. Currently writing a book to help clinicians treat religious trauma (expected 2026).


🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsor California Cryobank!

Thinking of growing your queer family? Use code QUEERFAM25 at cryobank.com for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!

🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/

🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentioned

  • AMR Therapy (Ann’s practice) — book mailing list available
  • COLAGE — community for people with LGBTQ+ parents
  • How to Vet a Therapist — look for inclusive forms/language, lived training, clear stances
  • Support: The Trevor Project; Trans Lifeline; local LGBTQ+ centers


🏳️‍🌈 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.

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 PodcastBy Jaimie kelton

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

334 ratings


More shows like The Queer Family Podcast

View all
Savage Lovecast by Dan Savage

Savage Lovecast

6,165 Listeners

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

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

8,767 Listeners

Two Dykes And A Mic by McKenzie Goodwin and Rachel Scanlon

Two Dykes And A Mic

1,366 Listeners

American Fever Dream by Betches Media

American Fever Dream

2,119 Listeners

Fertility Docs Uncensored by Various

Fertility Docs Uncensored

280 Listeners

PANTS with Kate and Leisha by Lemonada

PANTS with Kate and Leisha

5,113 Listeners

Don't Ask Tig by American Public Media

Don't Ask Tig

5,470 Listeners

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

Staying Up with Cammie and Taryn

907 Listeners

Maintenance Phase by Aubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes

Maintenance Phase

16,665 Listeners

We Can Do Hard Things by Treat Media and Glennon Doyle

We Can Do Hard Things

41,497 Listeners

Handsome by Headgum

Handsome

12,929 Listeners

Made It Out by Made It Out Media

Made It Out

1,050 Listeners

The Telepathy Tapes by Ky Dickens

The Telepathy Tapes

7,946 Listeners

Good Hang with Amy Poehler by The Ringer

Good Hang with Amy Poehler

9,444 Listeners

The Dylan Hour with Dylan Mulvaney by Lemonada Media

The Dylan Hour with Dylan Mulvaney

279 Listeners