Episode 17: Family Building and Advocacy: Securing Rights for All Families

06/05/23 • 27 min

Welcome to a very special episode of The Family Circle featuring guest host Dean Hutchison, Circle's Vice President of Legal, and his two exceptional guests: Kate LeBlanc, Executive Director of Resolve New England, and Polly Crozier, Director of Family Advocacy at GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD). Together, they delve into the Massachusetts Parentage Act, a groundbreaking bill that aims to establish gender-inclusive parentage statutes and champion the rights of diverse families. Their discussion here today stands as a profound exploration of the importance of advocacy, and provides invaluable insights on how individuals can actively engage in this noble cause and drive real change for children and families.

Two vital themes are interwoven throughout their conversation: the immense significance of advocacy in the realm of family building and the enormous impact of the Massachusetts Parentage Act. Our trio sheds light on the essential role of personal narratives and grassroots movements in effecting lasting transformations and securing equal rights for families from diverse backgrounds. Taking a deep dive into the intricacies of the Massachusetts Parentage Act, they highlight its mission - to establish comprehensive and inclusive parentage statutes while safeguarding the rights of children born through assisted reproduction and surrogacy. They also emphasize the urgent need for this transformative bill, particularly in Massachusetts, which currently stands as the last state in the region to update its parentage laws. Rest assured that you are in for an enlightening and empowering experience as you listen in today as Dean, Kate, and Polly inspire you to take decisive action and lend your voice to the resounding chorus advocating for the rights of LGBTQIA+ families. The time for change is now.

Episode Highlights:

The importance of advocacy and ways individuals can get involved
Overview of the Massachusetts Parentage Act and its purpose
Addressing gaps in current parentage laws and advocating for clarity and inclusivity
Impact of the bill on LGBTQIA+ families and children's rights
Urgency to update parentage laws in Massachusetts
Significance of Massachusetts as a hub of reproductive healthcare and the need to protect all families
Calls to action for listeners to engage, contact legislators, and support the Massachusetts Parentage Act

Here are links to websites mentioned in this episode:
Circle Surrogacy

Resolve New England

GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders

The Massachusetts Parentage Act

Thank you for listening!
If you'd like to learn more about surrogacy, you can visit our website. If you'd like to chat with one of our team members, please reach out:

Become a surrogate (email: [email protected])
Become a parent (email: [email protected])
Become an egg donor (email: [email protected])

We'd love to hear your story and see how we can support you.

Episode Highlights:

The importance of advocacy and ways individuals can get involved
Overview of the Massachusetts Parentage Act and its purpose
Addressing gaps in current parentage laws and advocating for clarity and inclusivity
Impact of the bill on LGBTQIA+ families and children's rights
Urgency to update parentage laws in Massachusetts
Significance of Massachusetts as a hub of reproductive healthcare and the need to protect all families
Calls to action for listeners to engage, contact legislators, and support the Massachusetts Parentage Act

Here are links to websites mentioned in this episode:
Circle Surrogacy

Resolve New England

GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders

The Massachusetts Parentage Act

Thank you for listening!
If you'd like to learn more about surrogacy, you can visit our website. If you'd like to chat with one of our team members, please reach out:

Become a surrogate (email: [email protected])
Become a parent (email: [email protected])
Become an egg donor (email: [email protected])

We'd love to hear your story and see how we can support you.

Previous Episode

Episode 16: Meghan's Story: Surrogacy & The Ultimate Surprise

This episode contains sensitive content about IUI, IVF and infertility.

In today's episode of The Family Circle podcast, our very special guest, Meghan, shares her inspirational story of becoming a parent through surrogacy following unsuccessful experiences with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Despite the challenges she faced along the way, including the emotional turmoil of infertility, Megan persevered and found hope through surrogacy. Her journey to parenthood –made possible by an incredible surrogate who helped her realize her dreams – comes with a surprising twist when Meghan finds herself pregnant just days after finding out her surrogate had a successful embryo transfer and is pregnant!

The emotional and physical rollercoaster of infertility treatment is explored, revealing the painful process of Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and IVF, and highlighting the isolation that comes with it, as well as the importance of having support from loved ones throughout the journey. Meghan shares humorous anecdotes and personal stories, covering everything from interactions with different doctors to touching moments of being pregnant alongside her surrogate. Ultimately, Meghan’s tale, as told in today’s episode, reinforces that the journey to parenthood can be filled with challenges, that every journey is different, and sometimes you can get even more than you hoped for.

Episode Highlights:

Meghan’s story of starting to try for a baby
Her infertility journey
The IUI procedure and IVF process
The process of surrogacy and how Meghan found her surrogate
The challenges she faced during the surrogacy process
The incredible bond Meghan formed with her surrogate
Finally becoming a mom through surrogacy
The surprising twist to her story when Meghan finds herself pregnant
The impact upon personal relationships during the infertility journey
Communication and empathy
Taking care of yourself mentally and physically during the process
Some humorous anecdotes
Difficult emotions associated with not being able to carry a child
How the experience of childbirth can be different for everyone

Thank you for listening!
If you'd like to learn more about surrogacy, you can visit our website. If you'd like to chat with one of our team members, please reach out:

Become a surrogate (email: [email protected])
Become a parent (email: [email protected])
Become an egg donor (email: [email protected])

We'd love to hear your story and see how we can support you.

Next Episode

Episode 18: Tara's Story of Secondary Infertility, Loss and Coming to the U.S. for Surrogacy

This episode contains sensitive content about pregnancy loss.

In this episode of The Family Circle podcast, Tara shares her journey to motherhood, which involved IVF, secondary infertility, surrogacy, and multiple miscarriages. Throughout her story, Tara discusses the emotional turmoil she went through, from the joy of getting pregnant to the heartache of losing a baby, and the stress of waiting to start IVF. Despite the challenges, Tara's story highlights the resilience and determination of parents who go through infertility, and her openness and humor provide insight into her journey to motherhood.

In recounting her experience after suffering the loss of her first surrogate baby, Tara also reflects upon what it was like working with an agency overseas and the difference in support she received compared to her first experience with surrogacy. The emotional journey of surrogacy, how it impacted her mental health, and the magical connection that was formed with her surrogate are also discussed. As you will hear, today’s episode provides powerful testimonies to the strength and determination of parents who go through infertility and surrogacy. Through the stories shared, the emotional and logistical challenges of these processes become clear, as well as the resilience and joy that come with finally having the family one has dreamed of. Listen in to today’s conversation for valuable insight and perspectives and witness the insurmountable power of perseverance and hope.

Episode Highlights:

Tara’s IVF and surrogacy experiences
The emotional toll of facing infertility and multiple miscarriages
The late-term loss that Tara faced
How she found humor throughout her journey
Some words of inspiration for others who are going through infertility
Tara’s experience of working with Circle
Her mental health journey
Finding a surrogate match
The difference between her first and second surrogacy experience
The emotional connection that forms with your surrogate
Cultural differences between surrogacy in the UK and the US.
The importance of being respectful throughout the surrogacy process

Thank you for listening!
If you'd like to learn more about surrogacy, you can visit our website. If you'd like to chat with one of our team members, please reach out: