Lists have become my new best friend during the pandemic. Sounds weird, but it’s true - let me explain.
With all that’s going on in the world today, it can be hard to stay positive. For many of us, social or other media is our main interaction with the outside world, ramping up stress levels whether we’re sheltering in place at home or are back in the workplace. For others, travel plans to see loved ones continue to be cancelled, as we all try to stay safe and care for one another. I know here in our home state of CT the weather has been bright and sunny, but it is definitely not the summer we imagined.
Add the stress of family building to all of the above, and I know that you’re probably wondering, “can we fast-forward to 2021 yet?” Don’t despair - if you have any questions about LGBTQ parenting, your personal family building, or how COVID-19 might impact your journey, please feel free to reach out. In fact, you can respond right to this email! We’re here for you, no matter what.
And while you’re doing that, I’m going to share my technique for staying positive during these turbulent times - if you guessed “lists”, bravo! It’s making lists. Every day, I get up and make a list of Good Things while I drink my coffee. Sometimes the items on the list are current events, sometimes they’re things I’m grateful for, and other times they’re things I’m looking forward to (hugging my grandma again is very high on that list). The next time you’re feeling down, or frustrated, try it - and let me know if it works! In the meantime, today I’m sharing my list of good things that have happened in our LGBTQ community since the last time I wrote to you. Because it’s #feelgoodFriday, and I love a good list. 😉
This week is Non-Binary Awareness Week 💛⚪💜⚫ check out this post that we love from artist Ashton Attzs - you might recognize their artwork from Instagram’s Pride stickers 😍🌈
Our practice found a way to help these dads be in the room (virtually) for their embryo transfer day - all the way from France! Where there’s a will, there’s a way 😷👨💻
Queer doula collectives (one out of Washington, DC, and the other based in Brooklyn) are helping LGBTQIA individuals and couples feel seen and supported during all steps of their pregnancy and delivery 💟👶
Yes, there’s more. It is our mission to keep you in the loop as we continue to make updates to our practice policies to keep you, your future child, and our staff as safe as possible. If you haven’t already, be sure to bookmark 👉this page 👈for our latest updates.
If you’re coming from out of town or going through a surrogacy journey, your care team will probably have already reached out to you. We are following the travel advisory for the state of Connecticut, and are working closely with all our patients and agency partners to make sure that your journey can continue with as few interruptions as as possible.
Our medical director and founder, Dr. Leondires, filmed this short video on our updated COVID-19 policies and the travel ban. Watch now to get the scoop!
At the end of the day, it is our job to look after you and your future family, and to make sure you can be a part of special moments like this one!
…Because many of us are spending all day on the computer anyway 👨💻you might as well learn more about family building!
❗📚New Reads
For those of you who are looking for a fertility clinic or provider, this can seem like an overwhelming decision. Learning how to use SART (the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology) data to help inform your decision can make it seem more manageable.
If you’re still in the planning stages of your family building journey, congratulations - we’re excited for you! Check out this article about the ways you can optimize your fertility benefits, as well as the ways that some companies are expanding insurance coverage to retain valued staff members.
And speaking of new reads, here's a list of our ten favorite LGBTQ kids books featuring Black characters, to celebrate and learn about diversity with your own family.
🌈📢LGBTQ Voices
This past month, we were lucky enough to get two different takes on what Father’s Day means to members of the LGBTQ community. We love both of these pieces so much, we can’t choose just one!
🎬Take 1 - A Future Dad’s Perspective: Mario, a young LGBTQ rights advocate, speaks about his hopes for a future family
🎬Take 2 A Two-Dad Father’s Day: Greg, Dr. L’s husband and father to two sons, speaks about what this day means for their family
Mark Your Calendars!
Last month, we were honored to have moms Katie & Becky (and their adorable daughter, Gemma) join Dr. Spencer Richlin for an Instagram Live discussion about LGBTQ motherhood, their journey, and more. Psst - check it out here if you missed it!
We’re happy to announce that two more familiar faces will be joining us to talk about their journey as well - moms Stef and Denise will be joining us live on July 30th to share their story. We also ❤️ these photos that they shared with us from last year’s Pride parade. Stay tuned on social media for more details about the Live!
🎵 Before You Go-Go 🎵
Do you have photos or a story that you want to share? One of my favorite parts of my job is being able to share these beautiful stories with our whole Gay Parents To Be and RMA of Connecticut family - so please feel free to reach out! I’m happy to listen, and maybe even to share.
As always, if you think of something more that you want to see here, on our site, or on our platforms, you can respond to this email or drop me a line directly at emma@gayparentstobe.com 💌
Stay safe, remember to wash your hands, and make a list! I promise it works.
🌈Emma - Editor-In-Chief,
Gay Parents To Be
She/her/hers
Gay Parents To Be, 21 E 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022, 203-956-2266
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