The Queer Family Podcast – LGBTQ Families & Queer Parenting Stories

Jaimie Kelton – Queer Parenting & LGBTQ Families'.
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The show all about family; but with gay! A hilarious and heartfelt dive into LGBTQ family life, parenting, and the challenges queer families face. Hosted by queer mom Jaimie Kelton, The Queer Family Podcast brings you weekly interviews with LGBTQIA+ guests exploring how they made their families and how they navigate a world that wasn’t necessarily built for them. The mission? To normalize, elevate, and celebrate queer family life—while proving we’re just like other parents... trying (and often failing) not to lose it when our kid still isn’t wearing shoes and we’re 25 minutes late. Through laughter, honesty, and representation, this show tackles inclusive parenting, family-building journeys, and the age-old question: What’s it really like to raise a family as an LGBTQ person in a world built for the straights?

  1. From Unexpected Pregnancy to Known Donor RIVF: A Queer Family Building & IVF Journey

    19H AGO

    From Unexpected Pregnancy to Known Donor RIVF: A Queer Family Building & IVF Journey

    Kaya Colin—therapist, couples coach, and parent of two—shares a deeply layered journey through identity, belonging, and queer family building. From an unexpected first pregnancy that challenged how others saw their queerness, to navigating single parenthood, to falling in love with their transmasculine partner and building their second child through reciprocal IVF—this story is complex, resilient, and deeply honest. We unpack what it means to feel “not queer enough,” the emotional toll of fertility journeys, and how to stay connected to your partner through identity shifts and everything that comes with building a family. Kaya also shares their decision to use a known donor, how they talk to their kids about their origin stories, and why their family is preparing to leave the U.S. in search of safety and alignment. This is a conversation about redefining family, reclaiming identity, and choosing your path—even when it doesn’t fit into anyone else’s box. 🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways Identity isn’t always linear—especially within the queer communityExperiencing both external and internalized gatekeeping around queernessBecoming a parent while navigating a major identity shiftBuilding a relationship while already parenting a young childA partner’s gender transition within the relationshipReciprocal IVF (RIVF) with a trans partner and the physical/emotional tollFertility struggles, miscarriage, and the impact on relationshipsChoosing and navigating a known donor relationshipRaising kids with open, age-appropriate conversations about their origin storiesUsing books and language to normalize queer family buildingThe importance of staying connected as a couple during TTC and parentingMaking the decision to leave the U.S. for safety and alignment as a queer family 🏳️‍🌈 About the guest(s) Kaya Colin (she/they) is a queer, non-binary therapist, couples coach, and founder of The Relational Compass. With over 15 years of clinical experience, Kaya specializes in helping couples navigate transitions, connection, and communication through a neuroscience-informed, relational approach. They are a parent of two and bring both professional expertise and lived experience to their work—particularly when it comes to relationships, identity, and family building within the LGBTQ+ community. 🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentioned Website: https://therelationalcompass.comInstagram: @therelationalcompass 🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book  🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Co-Produced by Jaimie Kelton & Dianni Hall 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato  🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Our Sponsors: * Check out Outdoorsy and use my code QUEERFAM for a great deal: https://www.outdoorsy.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    33 min
  2. Two Dads, Three Years of Adoption, and a Surrogacy Miracle

    APR 27

    Two Dads, Three Years of Adoption, and a Surrogacy Miracle

    What happens when the path you thought you were on… just doesn’t work out? This week, we’re talking to Phil and Jonathan—two dads who spent three years in the adoption process before realizing it might not be how they’d build their family. We get into everything: the waiting, the emotional toll, the near misses, and what it’s like navigating a system that isn’t exactly built for queer families. And then—everything shifted. From choosing an egg donor to an unexpected offer from a best friend to become their gestational carrier, their story is a powerful reminder that queer family building rarely follows a straight line. We also talk about what it really means to intentionally choose parenthood as a queer couple—and how different that process is from the “let’s see what happens” approach many straight couples get to take. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure about your path to parenthood… this episode is for you. 🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways Queer parenthood is never accidental—it’s intentional, emotional, and often nonlinear.And sometimes, the path that doesn’t work out is the one that leads you exactly where you were meant to go. 🏳️‍🌈 About the guest(s) Phil is an eight-time published author who writes queer young adult and middle grade fiction, as well as children’s books—including Little Golden Book biographies of icons like Billy Porter, Judy Garland, and Liza Minnelli. Jonathan is a luxury wedding planner based in New York City, where he works with couples to create intentional, high-end celebrations that reflect who they are. 🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentioned Phil Stamper (Author)Jonathan (Wedding Planner) 🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book  🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Co-Produced by Jaimie Kelton & Dianni Hall 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato  🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Our Sponsors: * Check out Outdoorsy and use my code QUEERFAM for a great deal: https://www.outdoorsy.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    57 min
  3. Queer Parenting & LGBTQ Families: The “Do We Want Kids?” Conversation

    APR 20

    Queer Parenting & LGBTQ Families: The “Do We Want Kids?” Conversation

    Dianni Hall—queer Latina, former full-time traveler, and Jaimie’s new assistant producer on The Queer Family Podcast(!) —joins us for a conversation that starts with queer family life and dating… and turns into a very real discussion about queer parenting, LGBTQ+ families, and whether or not to have kids at all. We talk about LGBTQ parenting, intentional relationships, and what it means to build a life outside the traditional path—plus the very real questions that come up when you’re part of LGBTQ families thinking about the future. This is one of those gay podcast stories that is equal parts hilarious, chaotic, and deeply honest. Biggest Takeaway? When you don’t have a blueprint, you get to build your life on purpose. 🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways Queer parenting starts long before kids—it begins with intentional conversations about the life you want to buildLGBTQ families often approach relationships differently because there’s no default path to followComing out isn’t always a clean story—sometimes you get found out and have to figure it out from thereInternalized shame can take years to unpack, even after you’ve accepted your identityMeeting the right partner can completely shift your perspective on marriage and kidsThere are many paths to queer family building—adoption, foster care, donor conception—and none are one-size-fits-allKnown donors can offer connection and openness, but come with their own complexitiesNot everyone in LGBTQ parenting wants to carry—and that’s validGenerational differences are real—Gen Z is approaching queerness and LGBTQ family life with more openness and fluidityWhen you live outside the norm, you’re forced to ask deeper questions—and that can lead to more intentional, aligned lives 🏳️‍🌈 About the guest(s) Dianni Hall is a queer Latina, podcast producer, and former full-time traveler who spent six years backpacking around the world. She previously hosted the podcast While She’s Away, where she shared stories of solo female and queer travel. She now works behind the scenes on The Queer Family Podcast and Love, Take Two—and is officially stepping out from behind the curtain. 🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentioned Dianni’s podcast While She’s Away 🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book  🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Co-produced by Jaimie Kelton & Dianni Hall 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Our Sponsors: * Check out Outdoorsy and use my code QUEERFAM for a great deal: https://www.outdoorsy.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    49 min
  4. Queer Family Life, IVF & LGBTQ+ Parenting—And Why It All Feels So Hard Right Now

    APR 13

    Queer Family Life, IVF & LGBTQ+ Parenting—And Why It All Feels So Hard Right Now

    Robin Maril—law professor, former Human Rights Campaign attorney, and host of A Queer Guide to Saving Democracy—joins us for a conversation that starts with queer family life and IVF… and expands into what’s happening in the U.S. right now. We talk about LGBTQ+ families, donor conception, and parenting in the LGBTQ+ community—plus the real LGBTQ+ family challenges that come with raising kids in today’s political climate. This is one of those gay podcast stories that holds both the deeply personal and the very real. Biggest Takeaway? Raise good kids. Stay engaged. Be a Care Bear. 🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways Queer family building is complex—and every path (IVF, donor conception, etc.) comes with real decisions and emotionsNon-bio parenting doesn’t mean a weaker bond—connection is built through showing up every dayTalking to kids about their origin story early and honestly makes it feel normal, not scaryIVF is intense—physically, emotionally, and mentally (and we don’t talk about that enough)What’s happening politically right now is not business as usual—and it’s okay to name thatYou don’t need to be a policy expert to understand what’s going on or to care about itStaying engaged can look like small, everyday actions—not just big, loud onesCommunity care and showing up for each other matter more than everRaising kind, confident, informed kids is a radical act right nowWe’ve navigated hard things before as queer families—and we know how to keep going 🏳️‍🌈 About the guest(s) Robin Maril is a law professor, former Human Rights Campaign attorney, and host of A Queer Guide to Saving Democracy. She lives in Portland with her wife and their two kids and has spent her career working on LGBTQ+ rights and policy. 🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsors Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment!  🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentioned Robin’s website: https://queerguidetodemocracy.com/ 🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book  🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Our Sponsors: * Check out Outdoorsy and use my code QUEERFAM for a great deal: https://www.outdoorsy.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    53 min
  5. A Very Real Family Update

    APR 6

    A Very Real Family Update

    This week’s episode is a little different—and very real. When a scheduled guest wasn’t ready to share their story, Jaimie and her wife Anne stepped in for an impromptu, unfiltered check-in on their own lives. Recorded in the middle of family chaos (kids awake past bedtime, dog whining, one shared mic…), this episode is exactly what queer family life actually looks like behind the scenes. They open up about Anne’s breast cancer journey—from diagnosis in December 2024 through chemo, surgery, radiation, and ongoing targeted treatment—and where things stand now: finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s honest, messy, funny, and full of love—the kind of conversation that reminds you you’re not alone in the hard stuff. 🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways Anne’s cancer journey and what the last year+ has really been like“Honey badger” energy vs. what chemo actually does to a bodyWhat targeted treatment is—and why they’re still in itSeeing the light at the end of a very long roadMarking milestones (even imperfect ones)🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsors Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment!  🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book  🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Our Sponsors: * Check out Outdoorsy and use my code QUEERFAM for a great deal: https://www.outdoorsy.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    13 min
  6. Foster to Adopt as a Gay Dad: Jameel Mayers’ Path to Parenthood

    MAR 30

    Foster to Adopt as a Gay Dad: Jameel Mayers’ Path to Parenthood

    Jaimie sits down with fellow podcaster Jameel Mayers, host of Fathernetics, to talk about his journey to fatherhood through the foster-to-adopt system. Jameel shares the emotional realities of fostering, the challenges of navigating agencies as a queer couple, and the moment they met their son, Jacob, who would eventually become their forever child. Together, they explore the complexities of trauma-informed parenting, open communication, and raising kids with confidence and self-awareness. The conversation also dives into how queer parents challenge societal norms, why representation matters, and how intentional parenting can shape the next generation. 🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways Foster care is deeply rewarding—but emotionally complex and unpredictableReunification is always the goal, even when it’s hard for foster parentsTrauma-informed parenting requires patience, education, and self-reflectionKids don’t need secrecy—they need honesty and age-appropriate truthQueer families often model intentional parenting in powerful waysRepresentation and conversation help normalize all family structuresParenting is less about control—and more about understanding 🏳️‍🌈 About the guest(s) Jameel Mayers is the host of Fathernetics, a podcast exploring fatherhood through real, honest conversations with dads from all walks of life. Through his platform, he highlights diverse parenting journeys—including adoption, surrogacy, and fostering—while building community and connection among intentional parents. 🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsors Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment!  🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentioned Fathernetics 🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book  🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Our Sponsors: * Check out Outdoorsy and use my code QUEERFAM for a great deal: https://www.outdoorsy.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    1 hr
  7. Surrogacy for Gay Dads: Cost, Ethics & Building a Family

    MAR 23

    Surrogacy for Gay Dads: Cost, Ethics & Building a Family

    Jaimie sits down with Daniel Berezowsky to talk about his and his husband’s journey to parenthood through surrogacy — and how their work in human rights shaped every step. They share the emotional and financial realities of IVF, choosing an egg donor, and waiting to be matched with a surrogate, along with the surprising lessons they learned along the way — including letting go of assumptions and expanding what family can look like. A thoughtful, honest conversation about queer family building, intention, and hope. 🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways You don’t need to have everything figured out before taking the first step toward parenthoodSurrogacy is complex, emotional, and often far more expensive than expectedApproaching family building through a human rights lens can lead to more intentional, ethical decisionsThe process of choosing an egg donor can feel overwhelming and deeply personalMatching with a surrogate can take time — and requires patience and trustAssumptions about people or places don’t always reflect realityQueer family building often expands the meaning of family in beautiful and unexpected waysEven when the path feels uncertain, hope and community matter 🏳️‍🌈 About the guest(s) Daniel Berezowsky is a human rights practitioner, writer, and soon-to-be dad who is documenting his journey to parenthood with his husband through his platform, Two Dads to Be. Originally from Mexico and now living in New York City, Daniel brings a thoughtful, human rights-centered approach to family building — asking not just how to become a parent, but how to do it with care, intention, and respect for everyone involved. 🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsors Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment!  🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentioned Daniel’s Substack: Two Dads to Be → https://twodadstobe.comOrganization mentioned: Men Having Babies → https://www.menhavingbabies.org https://berezowsky.substack.com/p/danny-and-jaimes-ultimate-surrogacy Egg bank mentioned: Everie Egg Bank 🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book  🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Our Sponsors: * Check out Outdoorsy and use my code QUEERFAM for a great deal: https://www.outdoorsy.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    55 min
  8. Leaving the American Dream: Raising a Trans Daughter and Starting Over in Spain

    MAR 16

    Leaving the American Dream: Raising a Trans Daughter and Starting Over in Spain

    What happens when the life you built no longer fits who you are — or the world no longer feels safe for your family? In this episode, Jaimie sits down with TJ Shimeld to talk about coming out after marriage, building an unconventional but beautiful co-parenting relationship with his ex-wife, raising a transgender daughter, and ultimately making the life-changing decision to leave the U.S. for Spain. It’s a conversation about identity, reinvention, grief, freedom, LGBTQ family experiences, and what it means to finally build a life that feels aligned. TJ shares how the 2016 election marked the beginning of a deep unraveling of the “American dream” he thought he was supposed to want — and how that unraveling eventually led him, his husband, and his daughter Opal to a more peaceful, affirming life abroad. 🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways Sometimes the life that looks “right” from the outside isn’t the life that fits.Coming out later in life can be painful, liberating, and deeply clarifying.Divorce does not have to mean destruction; it can lead to a different kind of family.Queer and trans safety isn’t theoretical — it shapes daily life, choices, and futures.The feeling of betrayal many LGBTQ+ people experienced after the 2016 election was real and lasting.Finding a place where your family can relax, be seen, and be safe can change everything.Reinvention is possible, even after years of living for everyone else. 🏳️‍🌈 About the guest(s) TJ Shimeld is an author, speaker, life coach, and real estate investor currently living in Spain with his husband and daughter. After years of living a life that looked like the “American dream” from the outside, TJ chose a radically different path — one centered on authenticity, healing, and freedom. Today, he helps others navigate transformation, reinvention, and possibility. 🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsors Be Parent Surrogacy Be Parent oversees the creation of family through surrogacy and IVF, from the very beginning, extending support even well after birth. Mention The Queer Family Podcast to receive $2000 of your treatment!  🏳️‍🌈 Interested in advertising? Email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com 🎧 Loved this episode? Support The Queer Family Podcast on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and help keep these stories alive! OR become a paid subscriber through our RedCircle page for bonus episodes and one-time or recurring donations: 🔗 redcircle.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/exclusive-content 🏳️‍🌈 What resonated most with you? Drop a comment, DM us, or email thequeerfamilypodcast@gmail.com—we love hearing your stories! 🏳️‍🌈 Let’s Connect! Find us on IG, TikTok, Bluesky, & YouTube: @thequeerfamilypodcast 🏳️‍🌈 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🏳️‍🌈 Order the If These Ovaries Could Talk book  🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website 🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation! Our Sponsors: * Check out Outdoorsy and use my code QUEERFAM for a great deal: https://www.outdoorsy.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    45 min
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4.7
out of 5
345 Ratings

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The show all about family; but with gay! A hilarious and heartfelt dive into LGBTQ family life, parenting, and the challenges queer families face. Hosted by queer mom Jaimie Kelton, The Queer Family Podcast brings you weekly interviews with LGBTQIA+ guests exploring how they made their families and how they navigate a world that wasn’t necessarily built for them. The mission? To normalize, elevate, and celebrate queer family life—while proving we’re just like other parents... trying (and often failing) not to lose it when our kid still isn’t wearing shoes and we’re 25 minutes late. Through laughter, honesty, and representation, this show tackles inclusive parenting, family-building journeys, and the age-old question: What’s it really like to raise a family as an LGBTQ person in a world built for the straights?

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