Blog

This time of year traditionally means a break from our regular lives to rest and relax. But for many LGBTQ+ parents and parents-to-be, this is also the time we brace ourselves for dealing with ignorance and intrusive questions. How can queer parents navigate the unique social stress of the holidays? We have some ideas we hope will help.

Director Greta Gerwig's 2023 Barbie may have good intentions when it comes to inclusivity, but it fails to push the boundaries when it comes to gender binary and LGBTQ+ characters. We explore why it falls short in this discussion of the popular movie - from a queer perspective.

If you're reading this, you’ve likely already begun planning your journey to parenthood, and we’re thrilled for you! An early step in this process is exploring different surrogacy agencies to find the right fit. Whether you’re doing research months in advance or reading this in the agency waiting room, we’ve got you covered.

In honor of International Non-Binary People's Day, let's talk about the current state of non-binary and trans healthcare, unpack why gender and sex are so closely tied together, and explore some actionable ways healthcare providers can offer more inclusive, welcoming environments for non-binary and trans patients to get the care they deserve.

In the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, it's essential to include ALL perspectives in the conversation - not just those of cis women. Let's explore why a lot of the language being circulated in the media is harmful, and how we can be more inclusive of trans and non-binary people in a post-Roe world.

June is the perfect time to reflect on how we’re doing with making LGBTQ+ parents feel welcomed in social situations. Whether you’re an ally or part of the rainbow community, there’s always more to think about, learn, and un-learn when it comes to treating queer families with respect.

While images of “traditional” pregnancy are always just a scroll away on social media, we’re still working on making LGBTQIA+ family building (in all its forms) visible and normalized. The more we see different experiences of family building on our feeds, the more that queer people will feel encouraged to pursue the path to parenthood that best works for them. Surrogacy is one of those important family-building options for the queer community.

New legislation in New York state will require insurance providers to cover same-sex family building without discrimination. In early 2021, New York state Governor Cuomo's office announced a directive requiring insurance providers to provide immediate coverage for fertility treatment, regardless of a patient's sexual orientation or gender identity. In the words of Cuomo, "Every New Yorker regardless of sexual orientation or gender identify should have the same opportunity to conceive a family, and we must do everything we can to ensure cost is not a barrier...In New York State, we believe love is what makes a family and that the law must work for everyone. This action will go a long way toward achieving that goal." Here at Gay Parents to Be and RMA of Connecticut, we are proud to work with prospective parents from all over the world, but with offices in Connecticut and New York, we hope that this historic declaration will make a difference for patients right in our backyard. In this blog, we'll unpack how this change might impact future parents, what will (and won't) be covered, and how we're hoping to learn more.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and during this month, there’s an associated outpouring of support for cisgender, heterosexual women – much of which focuses on encouraging people to get a breast exam with their doctor. If their doctor finds anything worrisome during this exam, they will recommend a mammogram, which is an ex-ray of the chest that can detect abnormalities that are too small to be found during a regular breast exam. The American Cancer Society’s statistics highlight the important of these screenings: They predict that over 275,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2020 and report that the mortality rate for breast cancer is 1 in 38. Breast Cancer Awareness month’s mission supports and encourages life-saving screenings.

2020 has been, in many ways, a train wreck -- but somehow, our National Coming Out Day came just the same. We celebrate its 32nd anniversary today, October 11th, 2020. This date is an acknowledgement of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay rights and reminds us that coming out can be a tool of power – although sometimes it feels like a burden. We still live in a society where these conversations are often necessary.

In our last LGBTQ History Month blog, we reviewed the history of LGBTQ family building, and what’s led us to where we are now. Here’s more on where we’re at in 2019:

June’s over, but for LGBTQ families, it’s Pride all summer! Gay Parents To Be has suggestions for celebrating through July and August. Whatever you’re looking for -- a trip around the world, a day trip, or a staycation -- we have some ideas for vacations and destinations where you’ll feel comfortable and safe while having a blast.