View in browser

from Gay Parents To Be

Hi there,

Yesterday was a pretty exciting day here at Gay Parents To Be. I got to (virtually) watch our own Dr. Mark Leondires speak to a group of Pepsi employees about LGBTQ+ family building and his passion for his work. I also got to watch some of the Pepsi team present 🌈this new Bubly campaign🌈 highlighting LGBTQ+ parenting pathways alongside Family Equality. For a gal who loves bubbly water and LGBTQ+ families...it was a dream come true.

The real highlight of the day was listening to Dr. Leondires (also known as Dr. L), talk about the unique set of hoops and hurdles that he experienced while building his own LGBTQ+ family. By shining the spotlight on his own family, Dr. L demonstrates what I have seen time and time again - that each family-building journey takes its own shape, its own path, and has its own individual story.

As part of our National Infertility Awareness initiative last week, we shared a bunch of those real patient and parent stories.

If you're reading this, you may be wondering - why do LGBTQ+ singles and couples need to see an infertility specialist in the first place? You're not the first person to ask - check out the answer here.

We asked each of these folks to share a story, and a short piece of advice for someone just getting started with a family-building journey. Check out their full stories here, or keep scrolling for the highlights!

Two Moms' Fertility Journey

Moms Kassie and Samantha both knew that they wanted to carry a pregnancy, but their journey to build their beautiful family had some twists and turns of its own. Kassie's advice to someone starting out?

Patience is key. We as humans want things and want them right now! This journey, for most, is a lesson in patience and understanding that all good things come with time.

Surrogacy Journey to Fatherhood

Dads Robbie and Mackenzy became dads through surrogacy to their son, Beckett, all during the chaos of the COVID pandemic. During their journey they learned:

...how strong our love is as we awaited the news of certain milestones together and prepared for the arrival of our son. We also learned to relax and take things as they come, since any journey can have twists and turns...

They also learned how to change a diaper - and now they're pros!

International Surrogacy Journey

Dads Alo and Javi live in Barcelona where surrogacy is not legal, so they completed their surrogacy journey here with the help of Gay Parents To Be, RMA of Connecticut, and Circle Surrogacy in the United States. They are superstar dads to new baby Maria (who even made an adorable guest appearance during one of our recent webinars 😍). They chatted with us about their beautiful connection with their surrogate, Kerry, the highs and lows of their journey to fatherhood, and exactly what it was like to travel internationally for surrogacy.

Read their full story here.

Keep scrolling for our monthly roundup of social media sweeties - babies, parents, and the people who are helping make dreams come true (all with a little help from Gay Parents To Be & RMA of Connecticut). Click through to learn more about each story!

I love sharing stories, family photos, and more on our blog and our feed - so if you have a story of your own, please feel free to respond to this email, or reach out to me directly at emma@gayparentstobe.com! ❤️

Extra, Extra...📰

...Read all about these insurance coverage updates in NY state. I know that might not sound like "fun Friday reading," but bear with me.

Right now, many couples and single LGBTQ+ individuals struggle to get coverage for fertility and family building treatment - the same coverage that is typically offered to opposite-sex partners. A new mandate in New York state might change that for NY residents, and help move the needle on necessary changes in other states.

Read more about what this means for new and existing patients, what will (and won't) be covered, and how we can get more answers here.

If you're new and still learning about LGBTQ+ family building (and some of the costs that go along with it), I know that this can seem overwhelming. Before you go down an internet rabbit hole, check out these two articles to get the facts:

Let's Get Loud 🌈📢

Finding accurate and easy-to-understand information on LGBTQ+ parenting pathways shouldn't be a part-time job. That's why I've made it my mission to make sure you get the stories and news that you need, without the things you don't.

I'm happiest when you let me know what you like to hear!

Is there something you want to see more of here in The Voice? Too much of something else? Please drop me a line and let me know - I'm the voice behind The Voice, and I'm always happen to listen. 💌

Best,

🌈Emma - Editor-In-Chief,

Gay Parents To Be

She/her/hers