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Raising Donor-Conceived Kids With Honesty and Pride

Raising Donor-Conceived Kids With Honesty and Pride

Author: Jaimie Kelton – Queer Parenting & LGBTQ Families'. June 15, 2026 Duration: 36:58
The Queer Family Podcast – LGBTQ Families & Queer Parenting Stories
KidsKids & FamilyFamilyFitnessHealthHealth & FitnessParentingSexualitySocietySociety & Culture

In Part 2 of the conversation with donor conception expert, author, therapist, and podcaster Lisa Schuman, Jaimie flips the roles and asks the questions, diving deep into donor conception, queer family building, and the emotional realities of parenting in donor-conceived families.

Drawing from decades of experience in reproductive medicine, Lisa shares what research reveals about communication openness, why honesty with donor-conceived children matters so deeply, and how LGBTQ+ families have helped shape the conversation around intentional parenting.

The conversation explores internalized homophobia, non-biological parenting, genetics, identity, and the fears many queer parents quietly carry. It is an affirming and thoughtful discussion about trust, openness, and the many valid ways families are created.

🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways

  • Why communication openness matters more than donor openness
  • The importance of talking to donor-conceived children early and often
  • How queer families helped shape donor conception research
  • Internalized homophobia and the pressure queer parents put on themselves
  • Why there is no “right” way to build a family
  • The emotional differences between queer and non-queer family building journeys
  • How intentionality impacts LGBTQ+ parenting
  • Why honesty builds trust in donor-conceived families

🏳️‍🌈 About the guest(s)

Lisa Schuman is a therapist, author, adoption and donor conception expert, and the founder of the Center for Family Building. She is the co-author of Building Your Family: The Complete Guide to Donor Conception and host of the podcast Building Your Family with Lisa Schuman. Lisa has spent decades helping individuals and couples navigate infertility, donor conception, adoption, and the emotional complexities of family building.


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🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 

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Every family has a story, but the paths taken by LGBTQIA+ parents are often uniquely creative, filled with both profound joy and specific hurdles. The Queer Family Podcast-LGBTQ Families & Queer Parenting Stories is a weekly space where those narratives take center stage. Host Jaimie Kelton, a queer mom herself, guides conversations that are as laugh-out-loud funny as they are deeply moving. Each episode features candid interviews with a diverse range of guests, all sharing the intimate details of how they built their families-from adoption and fostering to IVF, surrogacy, and co-parenting. You’ll hear how these families navigate school systems, healthcare, and everyday social situations, tackling challenges with resilience and humor. This podcast digs into the real stuff of queer family life, covering topics across parenting, health, fitness, and sexuality, all through an authentic LGBTQ lens. The goal isn’t just to share stories; it’s to normalize and celebrate the beautiful spectrum of ways to create a home. Tune in for a sense of community, practical insights, and a powerful reminder that family is about love, in all its forms.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

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