Valentine’s Day is a day full of expectations, and like other greeting-card holidays, one full of assumptions. This day assumes that you have a sweetheart, and expects that you will want to shop for cheesy cards and chocolate, and also that you will only want to purchase those items in a shade of red or pink. *insert 🙄for everything except the chocolate*
I could rant about Valentine’s Day 💗until St. Patrick’s Day ☘️, but my basic point is this: I’m all for a day where we celebrate love, but I would love to see this day without its societally imposed expectations and assumptions. So long, generic “husband” and “wife” cards, I want to see self-love on Valentine’s Day. Best friend love! Lesbian and gay and queer and asexual and gender-fluid love - and not only love, but acceptance.
On days like today, there are a lot of people who may feel excluded because they don’t identify with the “traditional." While the saying tells us love is followed by marriage and a baby carriage, oftentimes members of the LGBTQ community find that their families grow in different and beautiful ways. Whether you’re a single dad- or mom-to-be, you’re questioning your own identify, or you’re in a relationship but still wondering, “when will my family feel complete?” please know that it’s ok to buck the stereotypes. Forget the expectations…in fact, exceed them.
This Valentine’s Day, join me in celebrating our community, our relationships, and our families. You’ll find just that in this newsletter, plus:
We're teaming up with Circle Surrogacy and Egg Donation agency to give you the inside scoop on all things surrogacy. You'll learn more about the topics below, plus hear stories from real dads who've built their families through this process, and an experienced surrogate.
If you're a single woman or someone who identifies as a hopeful mom-to-be, we know that special days can be hard, as you watch others share those moments with little ones. We feel for you 💜.
Whether you're actively trying to conceive and have anonymous v. known sperm donor questions, you're wondering about at-home insemination or treatment costs, or you're just trying to understand your own fertility by tracking at home, our goal this year is to write blogs that answer questions you're actually asking. The internet can be a weird place, and we want you to have a place to go that you trust. If you have a question that you're not seeing the answer to, please respond to this email and let me know! That could be our next great article. 🤓
When you love something, you show up for it. That's why, this week, we went to a Lobby Day in Albany, NY to #standupforsurrogacy. It's cool, Andy Cohen was there, too. We think that surrogacy should be legal in ALL 50 states, and we will continue to advocate for this cause. Interested in learning more about the legal history and potential snafus of surrogacy? Check out this article.
Family building is what makes me excited to come to work in the morning. I love to help you learn more about what it takes, and watch our team help prospective parents through each step of their journey. And, I can't deny, I love love love when parents reach out and ask to share their stories - who doesn't love cute baby photos?
Stef and Denise reached out to us a little while ago, and asked if they could share their beautiful story. While their path to parenthood took a little longer than they expected, we loved hearing what kept them grounded and connected during fertility treatment. I promise, it's worth the watch.
Want more? Or want something different that you're not seeing here? Please reply directly to this email and let me know. I love to hear your feedback. 👋
Sending you a little bit of extra love today,
Emma - Brand Specialist, Gay Parents To Be
❤️💛💚💙💜
Gay Parents To Be, 21 E 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022, 203-956-2266
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