Outspoken Voices - a Podcast for LGBTQ+ Families

In this month's episode of Family Equality Council's Outspoken Voices Podcast, we're talking about using sperm donors, and the unique families and relationships that can emerge when "donor siblings" come into contact. We talk with Scott Brown from California Cryobank, Amber Leventry, a parent from Vermont, and Emily McGranachan, Family Equality Council's East Coast Regional Manager. Find more information on our guests at http://www.familyequality.org/podcast

On this month's Outspoken Voices podcast, we talk to three financial professionals about how to plan and save for college. All of our guests make an effort to ensure financial planning and advice are accessible to members of LGBTQ families. Listen and learn their tips for investing in your children's college education.For more information and to meet our guests, visit www.familyequality.org/podcast

This month we're focusing our attention on the Every Child Deserves a Family Act (or ECDF) – a bill that was recently introduced in Congress that would eliminate state laws, policies, practices and procedures that exclude potential adoptive and foster parents because of their marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity. Passing ECDF would dramatically increase access to permanent, loving homes for foster care children.In Part 2 of this two-part series, we talk to guests Kristopher Sharp and James McIntyre, who both aged out of the foster care system without finding forever families or permanent placements. Kristopher and James talk with Senior Policy Counsel Shelbi Day about the challenges they faced growing up in foster care, and how they have continued to become powerful advocates for reform in the child welfare system.Learn more about out guests at www.familyequality.org/podcast

This month we're focusing our attention on the Every Child Deserves a Family Act (or ECDF) – a bill that was recently introduced in Congress that would eliminate state laws, policies, practices and procedures that exclude potential adoptive and foster parents because of their marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity. Passing ECDF would dramatically increase access to permanent, loving homes for foster care children.In Part 1 of this two-part series, we talk to guests Dr. Philip McAdoo, and Aaron and Rich Hooks Wayman about their experiences forming their families through foster care.Learn more about out guests at www.familyequality.org/podcast

Family Week in Provincetown, MA is the largest annual gathering of LGBTQ parents and their children in the world. Before Family Week 2017, Family Equality Council and COLAGE got together to talk about what the week is all about, why we love it, and why it matters to hundreds of families.

It's high school graduation time, so on this month's Outspoken Voices podcast we quiz a two parents about their experiences as empty-nesters, as their kids grew up and headed out into the world.

This month is National Foster Care Month, so we're dedicating our Outspoken Voices podcast to hearing from two families formed through foster care.

In April's Outspoken Voices podcast, we talk with two professionals about the financial and legal considerations that LGBTQ individuals should contemplate before for getting married and/or starting a family.We discuss the importance of financial planning, estate planning, the financial benefits of being married vs. not being married. Looking beyond marriage equality, we discuss the differences between and importance of second parent adoptions, step-parent adoptions and birth certificates. Our guests also give suggestions about how to have these conversations with your partner and discuss the importance of being proactive and open with these sometimes challenging topics.

March’s Outspoken Voices brings together three summer camp professionals and fans to talk about finding inclusive summer camp spaces, prepping youth for the experience, and why a welcoming and celebratory summer camp can have a big impact on youth.In this podcast we talk about how families can identify welcoming camps, ways to prepare youth for a sleep-away experience, and why camps created with our families in mind can be important for youth.

February's Outspoken Voices podcast is a celebration of Black History Month and parenting. We are joined by two amazing guests highlighting how our multiple identities impact our daily lives. Both guests and their families are longtime supporters of Family Equality Council.In the podcast we hear our guests share their story of family creation, highlighting major identity markers and talking about the triumphs, joys and challenges of being a single parent, as well as how race has helped shape their family.