VIRTUAL: Discussing your kid's donor origins (6:30-8:30 pm PST)
Description
This event REGISTRATION IS OPEN. Please EMAIL Krystal Peak [she/her], at krystal@ourfamily.org if you have any questions about this event.
LGBTQ+ families are built in a multitude of ways. Many queer families require a donor at some point to help make them possible, and with donor sperm or eggs come some important conversations about how you talk to your kiddos about their donor origins.
During this discussion we will ask experts what issues there are to consider when telling your family and, especially, your kids about their donor and the different considerations around known/unknown/open/and closed donor agreements.
Learn developmentally appropriate language to help children of all ages who were conceived by donor egg, sperm or embryo, integrate knowledge of the donor side of their origins while strengthening their life-long bond with their parents.
The event speakers include: Alice Ruby, Executive Director of The Sperm Bank of California, Laura Goldberger, Marriage and Family Therapist.
Alice Ruby, MPH, joined The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC) in 2002 as Executive Director. In additional to organizational oversight, she manages TSBC’s Family Contact List and handled release of donor identities to donor-conceived adults for 18 years. Ms. Ruby collaborates on research with Dr. Joanna Scheib, Director of TSBC’s research program, has volunteered with other nonprofits providing service to LGBTQ+ families (including as a former Board member for OFC), and is the mother of a donor-conceived child.
Laura Goldberger is a therapist in Berkeley who sees individuals and couples who are in the process of making and supporting a family. Laura has worked with LGBTQ+, trans/non-binary, and BIPOC parents, couples, and children for over 25 years and is a queer parent.
All are welcome to attend the event, but we are catering the content toward LGBTQ+ families and those looking to build their LGBTQ+ family.
This 90+ minute discussion will allow for these experts to share their experiences, research and resources on discussing donors origins and we will hold a majority of the panel time for Q&A from the audience.
Please come with questions so we can have the most fruitful and helpful discussion for our community.
***We will be recording the first 20-30 minutes of Alice and Laura speaking and sharing resources and will offer that recording to folks that RSVP, then we will stop recording for the Q&A open discussion so everyone feels open to speak and ask specific questions.
We hope that this event will create a space for existing and aspiring LGBTQ+ families to understand the many routes and conversations that build happy, healthy families.
THIS DISCUSSION IS SECOND IN A SERIES OF THREE FAMILY BUILDING CONVERSATIONS AND WORKSHOPS IN MAY.
The first discussion, on May 10th, is hearing from people that were conceived in LGBTQ+ families, via sperm or egg donation. They will share their stories of what donor conversations were like, how their families navigated talking about their families, if they reached out to their donor or half-siblings, and more!
The third conversation, May 19th, will be a workshop on how to DIY second parent adoption and domestic partnerships so that everyone in your family can secure their parental rights and security!
Thursday, May 12, 2022 • 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM PST
Taking place virtually via secure Zoom phone and video conference, the details of which will be emailed along with your confirmation and in the pre-event reminder email.
Please register using the link above, and we'll contact you with the secure telehealth conference call phone number and video link URL. To be sure to allow us enough time to get back to you with the contact information, please register as early as possible; remember also to check your spam folder if you've not received access info. Our video and audio conferencing are HIPAA-compliant and preserve the security and confidentiality of all our participants to the highest standards possible. [Further information about Zoom meeting HIPAA compliance here.]
Please contact Krystal Peak [she/her], at krystal@ourfamily.org with any questions.
We are committed to ensuring our programs are accessible to all families. When you're registering, please let us know of any accommodations that would help your family participate to the fullest (e.g. ASL interpreter, translated materials, childcare providers experienced with kids with disabilities, large print materials, gluten-free food options, etc.). If registering within 48 hours of the event, please call 415-981-1960 to ensure our receipt of your request. As you are able, please help us continue offering these resources to all who need them, by making a financial donation to OFC.
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