Leland and Bonnie share their journey through identity, gender, and family. Leland, identifying as Two-Spirit, discusses Native American gender roles and their impactful transition story. Bonnie recalls navigating her identity from the '70s to a polyamorous marriage and raising a son. Together, they recount their creation of a trailblazing trans/non-binary surgical recovery center, a yearly educational BDSM conference, and delve into their latest project, the Beyond Gender conference, aimed at fostering community, education, and support across the gender spectrum. This episode explores acceptance, resilience, and the power of chosen family. 🏳️‍🌈Thanks to California Cryobank (https://www.cryobank.com/), and our ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠ supporters. 🏳️‍🌈We want to hear from you! ⁠⁠⁠ thequeerfamilypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠IG⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠FB⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈Key Takeaways:🏳️‍🌈  * Two-Spirit Identity Explored: Leland's discovery and embracement of their Two-Spirit identity, reflecting on its historical significance in Native American cultures and how it informed their personal journey. * Evolution of Gender & Sexuality Understanding: Bonnie’s early coming-out story in the 1970s, living in a polyamorous relationship, and her transformative path to queerness highlight the evolving acceptance and understanding of diverse identities. * Community Building: The duo’s extensive work in LGBTQ+ community support, including running a recovery center for gender-affirming surgeries and organizing educational events like the Beyond Gender Conference. * Chosen Family: Emphasizing the critical role of chosen family in LGBTQ+ lives, providing support, acceptance, and love that might be lacking in biological families. * Navigating Political Challenges: A candid discussion on the current political climate, its impact on the LGBTQ+ community, and the urgent need for advocacy, education, and unity. 🏳️‍🌈About The Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈 Leland - Leland, who identifies as Two-Spirit, draws from their Native American heritage, with roots in the Apache and Seminole tribes. They have significantly contributed to the LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit communities through various initiatives, including running a surgical recovery center for transgender and non-binary individuals and organizing the Beyond Gender Conference. Leland transitioned later in life and has connected deeply with their Two-Spirit identity, which emphasizes a balanced blend of masculine and feminine traits. Bonnie - Bonnie, a dynamic and resilient individual, identifies as queer and has been active in the LGBTQ+ community for decades. She has vast experience in the medical field and has co-organized several LGBTQ+ supportive conferences. Formerly married in a polyamorous relationship, Bonnie has raised a son and ha 🏳️‍🌈Resources mentioned in the episode:  * Beyond Leather: beyondleather.net * Beyond Gender Conference: beyondgenderconference.org * Free Mom Hugs (Sarah Cunningham): Supporting LGBTQ+ community through stand-in weddings and education on acceptance. * How We Sleep at Night by Sarah Cunningham: A book detailing her journey from being a conservative Baptist to supporting her gay son. 🏳️‍🌈We want to hear from you! 🏳️‍🌈 - Call us and leave a voicemail or text: 646-470-1840 - Email: thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com IG/Twitter/FB/TikTok/YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast - Website: https://www.thequeerfamilypodcast.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ovariestalk/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequeerfamilypodcast - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNhon0J_IfFovDUAzS9v2WQ 🏳️‍🌈Order the #ITOCT book Amazon, IndieBound, Audible🏳️‍🌈 https://amzn.to/3F9qRUc 🏳️‍🌈Buy our merch here🏳️‍🌈

Ashlyn and Jessica, high school friends turned life partners from Houston, share their journey to parenthood. They discuss the challenges of coming out, choosing a sperm donor, and navigating fertility treatments. They delve into their mixed emotions as Ashlyn induces lactation to bond with their baby amid excitement and heteronormative societal pressures. With honesty and vulnerability, Ashlyn and Jessica offer a heartfelt glimpse into their struggles and triumphs as they prepare to welcome their son, highlighting the intentionality and love that define queer family-building. 🏳️‍🌈Thanks to California Cryobank (https://www.cryobank.com/), and our ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠ supporters. 🏳️‍🌈We want to hear from you! ⁠⁠⁠ thequeerfamilypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠IG⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠FB⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈Key Takeaways:🏳️‍🌈  * High School Friendship to Life Partnership: Ashlyn and Jessica share their unique journey from being best friends in high school to becoming a loving couple. * Navigating Fertility Challenges: The couple describes their experience with a known sperm donor, their struggles with conception, and the eventual decision to pursue clinical fertility treatments and a sperm bank. * Emotional Ups and Downs: Insights into the emotional complexities of failed insemination attempts and the impact of familial reactions to their relationship. * Induced Lactation Journey: Ashlyn’s steps towards inducing lactation to co-breastfeed alongside Jessica, highlighting a deeper level of involvement and bonding as a non-gestational parent. * Community Support and Resources: The vital role of supportive communities and educational resources like The Queer Family Podcast in their parenthood journey. 🏳️‍🌈About The Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈 Ashlyn and Jessica have navigated the complexities and challenges of queer family building, relying on the generosity of a known sperm donor and later turning to professional fertility services and a sperm bank. Jessica is currently 31 weeks pregnant, and Ashlyn is embarking on an induced lactation journey to co-breastfeed their baby. 🏳️‍🌈Resources mentioned in the episode:  * California Cryobank: Use promo code "loveislove" for a free level two subscription to their donor catalog. 🏳️‍🌈We want to hear from you! 🏳️‍🌈 - Call us and leave a voicemail or text: 646-470-1840 - Email: thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com IG/Twitter/FB/TikTok/YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast - Website: https://www.thequeerfamilypodcast.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ovariestalk/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequeerfamilypodcast - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNhon0J_IfFovDUAzS9v2WQ 🏳️‍🌈Order the #ITOCT book Amazon, IndieBound, Audible🏳️‍🌈 https://amzn.to/3F9qRUc 🏳️‍🌈Buy our merch here🏳️‍🌈 https://bit.ly/TQFPmerchandise 🏳️‍🌈Edited by Jerson Barajas. Theme song: Tiffany Topol\ Logo art: Daneen Stevenato🏳️‍🌈 🎙️ Episode Chapters: 0:00 Intentional Parenthood and Love in Queer Families 2:47 Intro with Jaimie 5:16 High School Best Friends Reconnect and Start a Family 7:56 High School Friendship, First Love, and Family Expectations 12:46 Navigating Family Reactions and Acceptance After Coming Out 16:52 Navigating Parenthood and Identity in a Modern LGBTQ+ Relationship 19:44 DIY Insemination and the Journey to Parenthood 23:50 Navigating Fertility Challenges and Emotional Struggles 28:51 Choosing a Sperm Donor and Navigating IUI Procedures 33:17 Navigating Emotional Turmoil During Pregnancy Testing 34:52 Unexpected Complications from an HSG Procedure 39:53 Discovering a Pregnancy and the Emotional Reaction 40:17 Navigating Non-Bio Parent Emotions and Societal Expectations 45:44 Inducing Lactation and Bonding as a Non-Gestational Parent 51:44 Supporting The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon