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

About this episode

Kaya Colin shares their complex journey of queer family building, identity, and parenting through unexpected challenges and reciprocal IVF.

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 community Experiencing both external and internalized gatekeeping around queerness Becoming a parent while navigating a major identity shift Building a…

People in this episode

Host: Jaimie Kelton

Guest: Kaya Colin

Topics covered

• queer family building
• identity and belonging
• reciprocal IVF
• fertility journeys
• known donor relationships
• parenting and identity shifts

Keywords

• queer parenting
• fertility struggles
• identity shifts
• reciprocal IVF
• known donor
• transmasculine partner
• family building

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