Grier and her wife Alana created their family through surrogacy after fertility treatments wreaked havoc on Grier’s mental health and it became clear that carrying a child in either one of their wombs was not an option. She discusses the challenges and shame that can come with not being able to conceive and the importance of breaking down taboos surrounding different ways of creating a family. The conversation also touches on the non-biological connection in queer families, the decision to use an anonymous sperm donor, and the complexities of navigating societal expectations and assumptions. This conversation emphasizes the importance of normalizing different paths to parenthood and supporting individuals in making the best choices for their own well-being. 🏳️‍🌈Thanks to ⁠Pregnant Together⁠,  My Donor Story, ⁠⁠⁠Our Shelves⁠⁠⁠ (code QUEERFAM) and our ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠ supporters. 🏳️‍🌈Interested in advertising? Check out our packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠ 🏳️‍🌈Key Takeaways:🏳️‍🌈  * Breaking down taboos surrounding different ways of creating a family is important * The non-biological connection in queer families can be a complex and nuanced topic * Choosing an anonymous sperm donor can alleviate concerns about emotional attachment * Navigating societal expectations and assumptions can be challenging for queer parents Surrogacy can be a valid and empowering choice for individuals who do not want to carry their own child. * Mental health should be prioritized when making decisions about family planning. * It is important to normalize and support different paths to parenthood. * Open and honest conversations about difficult topics can provide support and validation for others going through similar experiences. 🏳️‍🌈Quotes:🏳️‍🌈 * “She didn't want to carry. It was as simple as that.” Grier * "I wanted to be the best mother possible. And for me to do that I needed to spend the next year getting my mental health back." Grier * "Talk about hard things with your friends.” Grier 🏳️‍🌈About The Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈 Grier, formerly a model agent, opens up about her struggles with mental health, the pressures of societal norms, and the complex decision to pursue surrogacy. She and her wife Alana navigated the challenging waters of creating a family as a queer couple, ultimately choosing a path that ensured their well-being and the love they could share with their child. 🏳️‍🌈Resources mentioned in the episode:  * Queer midwife Mara Goodman's virtual community: Pregnant Together https://www.pregnanttogether.com/ * Growing Generations: www.growinggenerations.com https://www.growinggenerations.com/ * Kim Brown's interview episode: “Finding A Surrogate” from season 2 of the former "If These Ovaries Could Talk" podcast, now known as the Queer Family Podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/if-these-ovaries-could-talk/id1331160807?i=1000439443346 🏳️‍🌈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: 00:00: Introduction and Sponsor Message 08:58: The Importance of Breaking Down Taboos 24:52: Finding the Donor and Making the Decision 32:28: Prioritizing Mental Health 38:37: Normalizing Different Paths to Parenthood 46:37: Supporting Each Other

Lacey, a former Mormon and lesbian mom, shares her journey of coming out and building her family with her wife, Gabby. They unexpectedly conceived their first child through at-home insemination and later decided to have more children. After struggling with infertility, they turned to fertility treatments and ended up having triplets. Amidst the joy of their growing family, their oldest child, Jonah, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Lacey recounts the challenges they have faced and the strength and newfound faith they have found as a family navigating this journey together. Join us for this truly moving episode, which not only celebrates the uniqueness of LGBTQIA families but also highlights the universal aspects of parenting under extraordinary circumstances. Tune in to hear Lacey's full story, and don't forget to subscribe for more inspiring and thought-provoking content that celebrates families in all their diverse beauty. 🏳️‍🌈Thanks to ⁠Pregnant Together⁠,  My Donor Story, ⁠⁠⁠Our Shelves⁠⁠⁠ (code QUEERFAM) and our ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠ supporters. 🏳️‍🌈Interested in advertising? Check out our packages ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠ 🏳️‍🌈Key Takeaways:🏳️‍🌈  * Lacey's upbringing in a conservative Mormon family and her subsequent journey to embracing her identity as a lesbian woman. * The surprising and unanticipated conception of triplets, adding to the excitement and complexities of parenting. * An intimate look into the hardships and emotional turmoil following her oldest child's cancer diagnosis. * Discussion on faith and coping mechanisms in the face of adversity, challenging the idea of divine intervention. * The importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for children in queer families. 🏳️‍🌈Quotes:🏳️‍🌈 * "I tried really hard to fit the mold." Lacey * “We had four kids in the hospital at one time." Lacey * 🏳️‍🌈About The Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈 * Lacey is a former Mormon and a lesbian mom who, alongside her wife Gabby, has faced significant life challenges. With a deep love for her family, Lacey navigates the complexities of raising four children, one of whom is courageously battling cancer. Her family's journey is a testament to their strength and resilience, with values that emphasize love, acceptance, and the beauty of being true to oneself, regardless of the circumstances. 🏳️‍🌈Resources mentioned in the episode:  * Queer midwife Mara Goodman's virtual community: Pregnant Together * https://www.pregnanttogether.com/ 🏳️‍🌈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: 0:00:00 Introduction and sponsorship announcement 0:02:12 The normalization of queer families 0:03:32 Discussion of heavy topics: miscarriage and child's cancer diagnosis 0:07:21 Lacey's Mormon upbringing and coming out 0:13:01 The Mormon church's stance on homosexuality 0:15:57 Meeting Gabby and coming out to her family 0:17:56 Moving in together and getting married 0:21:10 Surprising success of accidental queer pregnancy 0:29:04 Lacey's triplets are born prematurely at 27 weeks 0:31:11 Lacey's two-year-old son is diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia 0:35:29 Lacey and her family move to Boston for medical and schooling options 0:38:01 Lacey shares that her son has responded well to treatment and hasn't shown signs of cancer for six weeks 0:42:12 Lacey discusses the importance of finding a community in Boston where her son can see other families like his 0:45:29 Lacey expresses her love for humanity and her belief in living a kind and empathetic life without religion 0:47:27 Lacey commends those who are working to bridge the gap between conservative religions and the queer community for the sake of queer youth 0:48:37 Lacey acknowledges the challenges of raising triplets #QueerFamilyPodcast #ComingOut #LGBTQ+ #LesbianMom #FamilyBuilding #FertilityTreatments #AtHomeInsemination #Triplets #InfertilityStruggles #ChildhoodLeukemia #familydynamics