Queer Reproduction and Parenting

The path to parenthood for LGBTQ and queer individuals is often complex and challenging. Many queer people rely on community, queer literature, and elders to guide them as they navigate the heteronormative world of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Queer folks face economic, social, legal, and interpersonal barriers as they work to build their families. Although queer folks enjoy legal protections in Canada, this does not eclipse the biological, societal, and systemic barriers that are encountered when pursuing pregnancy and parenthood. For queer folks, their family origin story is often as unique as their coming out story.

For non-binary, trans, genderqueer, or genderfluid parents, the experience of becoming and being pregnant can be complex. Heteronormative expectations in pregnancy can leave queer pregnant folks feeling different, and their partners erased or ignored. The gendered experience of pregnancy can feel empowering, while for others can it feel distressing and dysphoric. Socially the complexities of creating a queer family can feel isolating; insensitive and prying questions can feel invalidating or dismissive, sometimes leading queer folks to question their legitimacy or worthiness in parenting.

I am deeply passionate about supporting queer folks, both birthing parents and non-birthing parents, as they ponder, explore, or pursue pregnancy and parenting. All approaches of creating queer family are legitimate and worthy and I aim to hold space for my clients as they explore their desires, experiences, and emotions when navigating this unique and spectacular journey.