Outspoken Voices - a Podcast for LGBTQ+ Families

The representation of LGBTQ families in the media has been uneven, at best. Queer families are hungry to see themselves in print and on screen. Guests Sadie Epstein-Fine and Makeda Zook join the host to talk about their sagas of searching for representation (The Ellen Show VHS tapes are still floating around) and creating their own media with their new book, Spawning Generations. 

When the rights and dignity of LGBTQ families are up for political debate, youth within our families are harmed...and called to action. Queerspawn activists can be the strongest voices for LGBTQ family rights. Listen to hear inspiring stories of people with LGBTQ parents turned experiences of political discrimination into powerful opportunities to use their voices.

Bisexual parents are a huge percentage of all LGBTQ parents, yet they continue to face challenges and discrimination from within and without the community. Here we talk about the fierce pride of bi+ people and parents, and how biphobia and bisexual invisibility is compounded by parenthood and having LGBTQ parents.

This National Adoption Month, meet the Simmons-Cianciotto Family! After years in the child welfare system, twelve-year-old cancer survivor Derrik found his forever home with dads Jason and Courter. The road through foster care and cross-state adoption wasn’t easy for the family. As dad Jason says, they are a powerful example of why LGBTQ parents AND youth shouldn’t be discriminated against in the child welfare system. Through it all they found each other to form their forever family. Today, Derrik is flourishing and the Simmons-Cianciotto family is complete.

This National Adoption Month, meet Rosemary Caldwell Llewellyn! Rosemary and her twin brother Robbie were adopted from Peru at six months old. Their adoption was the first second-parent adoption by a gay male couple in the city of Los Angeles. Now a professional social worker, Rosemary reflects on her experiences growing up in a trans-racial adoptive family, her identity, and how her parents supported her through the years.

November is National Adoption Month! Recently we’ve seen a wave of ‘license to discriminate’ bills in ten states that allow foster care and adoption agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ children, youth and qualified prospective parents. The Every Child Deserves a Family campaign promotes the best interests of all children in the foster care and adoption system by increasing their access to loving, stable, forever homes, and works to ensure safe and supportive care for LGBTQ youth seeking family formation. Julie Kruse, Family Equality Council's Director of Federal Policy and Schylar Baber, CEO of Youth Dynamics of Montana, join the host to share personal stories and dive into what LGBTQ youth and parents are facing in the child welfare system. Get inspired to take action! 

In the past twenty years there has been an increase in published books by people with LGBTQ parents or featuring their stories. Author and activist Jenny Rain discusses her own journey to telling her story through writing and why sharing queerspawn history is so important for all generations of people with LGBTQ parents and parents themselves. Jenny recently published one of her stories in the new anthology, "Raised by Unicorns: Stories from People with LGBTQ+ Parents", edited by Frank Lowe, a gay dad. It is filled with stories by people with LGBTQ parents.

All families can experience trauma, addiction, and health struggles. For LGBTQ parents and their children, layers of stigma, isolation, and fear of discriminatory intervention can cause some to not seek help or feel alone. We're breaking down the taboo on talking about it today.

Queer people have had to create and recreate family for a very long time. The meaning has changed and biology doesn’t always play a big role, or a role at all. All the same, the experiences of people whose families are a mixture of biological and non-bio ties are complex. 

Grandparents and beloved elders can have a special place in LGBTQ families. How does one lesbian grandma stay in touch with grandkids, keep up with changing language, and stay motivated for another wave of anti-LGBTQ backlash? Dr. Ronni Sanlo's story of losing custody of her children because of her sexuality through healing and joy in becoming a grandparent will inspire you.