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  • Lesbian IVF Journey: From Infertility to Double Donor Twins

    Lesbian IVF Journey: From Infertility to Double Donor Twins
    Feb 23 2026
    Building a family didn’t happen the way Sarah and her wife Beth originally imagined. What began as a straightforward plan unfolded into miscarriage, multiple rounds of IUI, IVF, and ultimately the realization that neither of them could use their own eggs. They share what it meant to pivot again and again — and how they ultimately welcomed their 13-year-old twin boys through both an egg donor and a sperm donor.They also talk about approaching donor conception transparency from day one (including Sarah writing her kids a personalized storybook before they were even born), and how puzzles became an unexpected antidote to doomscrolling during politically heavy times — eventually inspiring Artfelt, a puzzle company that commissions and pays LGBTQ+ and BIPOC artists.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysQueer infertility can feel uniquely isolating. Sarah names the specific “outside looking in” feeling—then adds the extra layer of navigating it as a queer couple.Sometimes the plan changes completely. When neither Sarah nor Beth could use their own eggs, they adapted—ending up with “double donor” twins.Tell the story early, then keep updating it. Sarah shares how she introduced their origin story in toddlerhood and revisited it as her kids matured and could understand more.Shame-proofing helps everything else. When donor conception is normalized from the start, it creates a foundation for honest conversations later (hello, puberty, consent, all of it).Small rituals can be resistance. A puzzle on the table became a way to reconnect as a family, step away from the news cycle, and create something tangible together.🏳️‍🌈 About the guest(s)Sarah Julian is the founder of Artfelt Puzzles, a jigsaw puzzle company that commissions and pays LGBTQ+ and BIPOC artists exclusively, combining art, community, and action by putting money directly back into artists’ hands through licensing and revenue share.🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsorsBe Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment! 🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedLove, Take Two (with José Rolón / NYC Gay Dad) Subscribe on your favorite podcast app and on YouTube now!ArtFelt Puzzles🏳️‍🌈 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
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    50 Min.
  • Come Out. Make Art. Repeat. | Coming Out Later in Life + Raising a Trans Teen

    Come Out. Make Art. Repeat. | Coming Out Later in Life + Raising a Trans Teen
    Feb 16 2026
    Jaimie sits down with Hilde Festerling—queer mom, children’s writer, and the creator of the all-ages “barnyard gothic” audio drama podcast The Goat American Novel. Hilde shares the story of coming out later in life, navigating an amicable divorce, and building a creative partnership with her girlfriend. The heart of the episode is how Hilde’s family used storytelling as a literal lifeline: writing and producing a full podcast with her kids (and extended family!) became a sacred space through adolescence, transition, and big family change—while also creating queer representation that can still feel accessible for kids in conservative environments.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysCreative projects can be relationship glue. Hilde describes the podcast as a refuge—an art space where family conflict didn’t enter, even during hard parenting seasons.Kids can be your best collaborators. Hilde’s children didn’t just listen—they became the “writer’s room,” tracking plot threads, character arcs, and story logic.Queer joy + safety can coexist in kids’ media. Hilde talks about balancing being proudly out with creating art that can still reach kids living in conservative homes where “queer” content is policed.Representation isn’t always loud. Sometimes queerness that unfolds slowly (and isn’t “on the cover”) is exactly what helps certain kids find themselves safely.Family can stay family after divorce. Hilde emphasizes an amicable separation and a “split but still connected” family model that includes her ex as family.🏳️‍🌈 About the guest(s) Hilde Festering is a children’s writer and storyteller, and the creator of the all-ages “barnyard gothic” podcast The Goat American Novel. Built with an ensemble of family voice actors—including her kids, siblings, ex-husband, girlfriend, and more—the project became both an epic storytelling experiment and a creative family tradition that supported connection through major transitions.🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsorsBe Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment! 🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedLove, Take Two (with José Rolón / NYC Gay Dad) Subscribe on your favorite podcast app and on YouTube now!Podcast: The Goat American Novel Medium: Hilde Festerling 🏳️‍🌈 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
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    49 Min.
  • Seven Kids, One Lesbian, and a Graduation Gift of Sperm

    Seven Kids, One Lesbian, and a Graduation Gift of Sperm
    Feb 9 2026
    Lex Beach is a lesbian mom of seven kids (ages 8–23), and her family-building story truly covers the waterfront: donor sperm, IUIs, donor sibling connections, parenting through divorce, blended family life, known-donor attempts, miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy, and ultimately IVF.Lex knew she wanted to be a mom from the jump—and at 22, she got pregnant (the gay way) right after college… with sperm her parents literally bought as a graduation gift. From there, the story only gets bigger: twins, more pregnancies, co-parenting across households, a queer Brady Bunch era, and hard-earned reflections on what helps queer relationships survive the parenting years.Also: Jaimie forgets to hit record (again), records with a sick kid at home (again), and we all learn why favorite animals are somehow always in donor profiles… but braces aren’t.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysLex’s “elevator pitch”: 7 kids, ages 8–23, “made in all sorts of lesbian ways”Coming out at 15 and never being “in the closet”The grief of not being able to “mix genes” with a partnerGetting pregnant at 22 (with twins!) right after collegeChoosing a donor in the “primitive sperm bank era” (no adult photos, no audio, limited info)Donor selection logic: “No economics majors” + vote-by-friends methodThe reality of IUI timing with frozen sperm + why monitoring/trigger shots can matterSelling leftover vials… then scrambling to get one vial back for a partner pregnancyMiscarriage + ectopic pregnancy + emergency surgery and the emotional falloutIVF in Massachusetts and how coverage can change the equationBlending a family: “queer Brady Bunch… without Alice”Lex’s take on lesbian divorce rates, division of labor, identity as “mom,” and protecting the relationship during parenting🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsorsBe Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment!🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedLove, Take Two (with José Rolón / NYC Gay Dad) Subscribe on your favorite podcast app and on YouTube now!Lex’s family documentary (award-winning) Password: foxes🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book ]🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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    1 Std. und 7 Min.
  • BONUS EPISODE: Love, Take Two: A Very Special Announcement (with Jose Rolón / @nycgaydad)

    BONUS EPISODE: Love, Take Two: A Very Special Announcement (with Jose Rolón / @nycgaydad)
    Feb 2 2026
    We were supposed to be dark this week… but instead, we popped in with a very special bonus episode. In this short, unscripted, slightly chaotic conversation, Jaimie is joined by longtime friend and collaborator Jose Rolón (aka @nycgaydad) to officially announce their brand-new podcast:💥 Love, Take Two 💥This episode, recorded without a producer, without an editor, and without a microphone (sorry in advance), gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how Love, Take Two came to life — from messy recording moments and last-minute decisions to big creative leaps, studio learning curves, and the joy of building something new together.If you’ve ever wondered what happens when two podcast hosts try to record an announcement without supervision… this is it.💖 About Love, Take TwoLove, Take Two is a conversation-driven podcast about second acts, fresh starts, and the unexpected turns that lead us exactly where we’re meant to be.From breakups to breakthroughs.From setbacks to comebacks.From “this didn’t go how I planned” to “this is better than I imagined.”There’s a comma in the title on purpose — Love, take two — like a love letter from your present self to your past self, reminding you that it gets better.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysWhy Love, Take Two exists — and why nowBuilding a podcast in studio (and learning as we go)Why we decided to just do the thing instead of waiting for “perfect”Scrapping episodes, re-recording intros, and trusting the processThe creative magic (and danger 😅) of two hosts who work the same wayWhy second acts aren’t failures — they’re evolutions• How this show is a breath of fresh air in heavy times🏳️‍🌈 Guests Featured in Season One of Love, Take TwoSeason One is stacked with artists, creatives, and cultural icons who’ve lived their own “take two” moments, including:Dominique Jackson Dana goldergLena Hall Drew Droege Jeremy CrittendonJesus Martinez Jonathan GregSophie B hawkinsAlexis BittarMorena BaccarinLamar Dawson …and more.💬 Final NoteThis episode is messy. It’s heartfelt. It’s very on-brand for two people building something new in real time. If you’ve ever questioned whether it’s “too late” to start over — this show (and this bonus ep) is for you.Love,Take Two 💖🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jaimie Kelton 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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    18 Min.
  • ARCHIVE: Marie Newman on LGBTQ+ Rights, Trans Advocacy & Fighting Anti-Trans Laws

    ARCHIVE: Marie Newman on LGBTQ+ Rights, Trans Advocacy & Fighting Anti-Trans Laws
    Jan 26 2026

    I’m putting this archived conversation back into the world because, like many of you, I’m feeling overwhelmed, angry, and honestly a bit helpless after the most recent ICE killing of Alex Pretti. When violence like this happens it can feel impossible to know where to put our grief or how to turn it into action. This episode with Marie Newman is a reminder that change doesn’t come from waiting to feel less scared—it comes from people who decide to show up anyway. Marie has gone the distance, personally and politically, and hearing from someone who has fought these fights before feels grounding right now. I hope it does for you too.

    ARCHIVED EPISODE:

    Marie Newman isn’t just an advocate—she’s a fighter. As a former Congresswoman from Illinois, she took on big fights for LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare equity, gun reform, and more. But her mission became personal when her daughter came out as transgender, propelling her even deeper into the fight for equality. In this episode, Marie shares her unexpected path to Congress, the struggles of passing meaningful legislation, and why she refuses to back down—even as anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric ramps up across the U.S. and beyond. She also opens up about her family’s journey, the reality of raising a trans child in today’s political climate, and what we can all do to push back against the attacks on our rights. 🔥 Nobody is coming to save us—we have to be the ones to step up. 🔥 🏳️‍🌈

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

    🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways 🏳️‍🌈

    ✔️ How Marie’s fight for LGBTQ+ rights began—and why she made it her mission

    ]✔️ Her journey to Congress & the challenges of passing real change ✔️ Raising a trans child & navigating the medical & legal system

    ✔️ The dangerous rollback of trans rights & DEI policies

    ✔️ How to get involved and push back against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation

    🏳️‍🌈About The Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈 Marie Newman is a former U.S. Congresswoman from Illinois who built a career fighting for marginalized communities. Before politics, she worked in marketing, anti-bullying activism, and women’s rights advocacy. She’s also the author of A Life Made From Scratch, a powerful memoir about her journey. As the mother of a trans daughter, Marie has dedicated her career to creating a more inclusive world. 📖 Preorder her book, "A Life Made From Scratch," here

    🏳️‍🌈🎧 Loved this episode? Leave a review & support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content!

    🏳️‍🌈 💬 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email at thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!

    🏳️‍🌈 📲 Let’s Connect! Follow us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈🎥 Watch & Listen: 📺 Watch full video episodes on YouTube

    📖 Order the #ITOCT book on Amazon, IndieBound, or Audible

    🎶 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🎵 Theme song by: Tiffany Topol 🎨 Logo art by: Daneen Stevenato 🛍️

    🏳️‍🌈Put your activism into action 🗳️ Vote, donate, and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights 📢 Call your representatives—let them know we won’t stand for discrimination 💡 Educate yourself & others on policies affecting our community History is watching. What we do now matters. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. While we chat with amazing organizations, The Queer Family Podcast isn’t responsible for any decisions or actions taken by listeners based on the content of the show. Always consult with a trusted professional for your specific situation!



    Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-content

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

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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    54 Min.
  • Trans Dad Shares Journey of Self-Discovery and Parenthood

    Trans Dad Shares Journey of Self-Discovery and Parenthood
    Jan 19 2026
    ARCHIVE (Recorded in 2024): Meet Shawndeez, a non-binary trans dad who shares their journey towards self-discovery and parenthood. Shawndeez discusses the challenges they faced as a queer and trans individual, their decision to pursue IVF and egg retrieval, and the importance of unconditional love in the parent-child relationship. Shawndeez also talks about their work supporting parents of trans children and the need for compassionate guidance in navigating the complexities of gender identity. Tune in for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysShawndeez's journey of self-discovery highlights the complexities of growing up queer and trans in a conservative environment and the subsequent path to embracing their true identity.The decision to pursue reciprocal IVF, where Shawndeez provided the egg and their partner carried the pregnancy, underlines the diverse ways queer families can come about.Shawndeez emphasizes the importance of having supportive medical professionals and a spiritually-driven mindset during their transition and fertility process.Discussions about the emotional work that comes with navigating a trans child's experience, particularly for cisgender and heterosexual parents, underscore the need for understanding and open communication within families.Shawndeez's current work focuses on helping parents of trans children embrace and understand their child's identity, advocating for compassion and unconditional love.🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈With a PhD in Gender Studies from UCLA, Shawndeez is not only thoroughly literate in topics surrounding gender and sexuality but also applies this knowledge to real-world contexts. As a trans-parent who has navigated personal and social transformations, Shawndeez now dedicates a significant portion of their work to supporting parents of trans children, helping to bridge gaps in understanding and fostering love and acceptance within families.🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsors!🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedQueer midwife Marea Goodman's virtual community: Pregnant TogetherShawndeez on Instagram- @drshawndeezShawndeez’s website: https://www.shawndeez.com/🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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    49 Min.
  • ARCHIVAL: Children’s Equality in Ireland with Ranae von Meding

    ARCHIVAL: Children’s Equality in Ireland with Ranae von Meding
    Jan 12 2026
    This episode was recorded in 2020 and originally released under the show’s former name, If These Ovaries Could Talk. While Ranae von Meding’s family life may look a bit different today, the laws in Ireland have not meaningfully changed—and many same-sex parents are still fighting for full legal recognition and protection for their children.At eight months pregnant, Ranae von Meding learned a shocking truth: after the birth of her child, her wife Audrey would not be legally recognized as a parent under Irish law—even though they were married, and even though Audrey is the genetic parent.In this archival episode (recorded in 2020), Ranae shares how she and Audrey built their family through reciprocal IVF abroad, the exhausting workarounds required when care isn’t fully accessible at home, and why Irish law has left many LGBTQ+ families in precarious legal territory. She also explains what it looks like to fight back—through advocacy, organizing, and Equality for Children, a campaign centered on one core message: this is about children’s rights.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysMarriage equality doesn’t automatically mean parental equality. In Ireland, being legally married doesn’t guarantee both parents are recognized when it comes to children.In many cases, the birth parent is the only legal parent. Even when the non-birth parent is genetically related (using their eggs), they may still have zero legal status.Reciprocal IVF wasn’t accessible in Ireland at the time. Ranae and Audrey had to travel abroad (Spain and Portugal), navigate complex logistics, and coordinate care at home without local fertility support.New legislation was coming—but only for a narrow group. The criteria described would exclude many families, including Ranae’s.Their legal action aims to amend their children’s birth certificates. The case isn’t about money—it’s about recognition and rights.A court win could create momentum and pressure. Even if it doesn’t instantly change the law for everyone, it could force the government to respond faster and set a path others can follow.Equality for Children became a real movement—fast. Within 24 hours of a community “call to action,” the group had a name, a website, branding support, and a public launch strategy.This advocacy is powered by parenting. Ranae describes the specific kind of relentless strength that shows up when the stakes are your kids.🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈Robin Hopkins — original co-host of If These Ovaries Could Talk and interviewer for this episode.Ranae (Renee) von Meding is a Dublin-based writer, blogger, and LGBTQ+ family advocate. She and her wife Audrey are raising their children and are the founders/organizers behind Equality for Children, a campaign pushing for full legal recognition and protections for children of LGBTQ+ parents in Ireland.🗂️ Archival NoteThis episode was originally released under the show’s former name. Audio quality, sponsor ads, and cultural context reflect the time in which it was recorded.🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsors!🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Resources MentionedFollow Ranae on InstagramFamily Equality🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Edit Audio 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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    47 Min.
  • ARCHIVAL: Shipping Fresh Sperm Can Work!

    ARCHIVAL: Shipping Fresh Sperm Can Work!
    Jan 5 2026
    This episode originally aired back when the show was called If These Ovaries Could Talk, hosted by Jaimie Kelton and Robin Hopkins — before the show evolved into The Queer Family Podcast.Over the years, I’ve had countless listeners reach out asking the same thing: “Can you connect me with Emily and Sara? I want to learn how they shipped fresh sperm.” So I’m resurfacing this conversation because yes — it can work. And since this episode first aired, Emily and Sara have helped many others create their families using the same method.In this archival episode, Emily and Sara share the truly unforgettable story of how they made a baby by shipping fresh sperm to Northern Canada, using test yolk buffer, precise temperature control, and the kind of coordination that can only come from a very committed family — including Sara’s brother Justin, one of her quadruplet siblings and their known donor.Between COVID travel restrictions, cargo flights to remote communities, DIY temperature experiments, and more than a few logistical curveballs, this episode is equal parts educational, funny, stressful, and deeply hopeful.🗂️ Archival NoteThis episode was originally released under the show’s former name. Audio quality, sponsor ads, and cultural context reflect the time in which it was recorded.🏳️‍🌈 Key TakeawaysShipping fresh sperm can work, even over long distances and to remote locations.Temperature control mattered more than anything — success came after dialing in the ideal range (cold, but not frozen).Test yolk buffer helped preserve sperm viability during transit.Cargo and courier shipping require flexibility, backup plans, and patience.Emily tracked ovulation carefully (BBT + ovulation strips) and they inseminated across multiple days to cover timing variability.A strong support system — aka the village — made all the difference.Known donor arrangements can be deeply positive when communication, trust, and legal clarity are in place.🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s) 🏳️‍🌈Robin Hopkins — original co-host of If These Ovaries Could Talk and interviewer for this episode.Emily & Sara (cis women, both identify as queer)Plus a bonus clip from Justin (donor) explaining how temperature tracking helped make the successful shipment possible.🏳️‍🌈 Legal & Parentage (Canada-Specific)🏳️‍🌈 Emily and Sara discuss working with a lawyer to create a known donor agreement, and navigating province-by-province differences in parentage laws. Requirements vary, and they emphasize the importance of understanding local regulations.🏳️‍🌈 Sponsors (Original Air Date) 🏳️‍🌈This episode originally included ads for TUSHY, First Republic Bank, and Storyworth.🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation! Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com🎧 Loved this episode?Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive!OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations:🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you?Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories!🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect!Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book 🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-queer-family-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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    56 Min.