"I have a Queery about...Being a Queer Parent" ft. Stephanie Klemons

"What made you decide to have kids?" "Did you ever see examples of queer parents with kids growing up?" "What was the process like for having a kid as a same-sex parents?" "What is the best and hardest part about being a mom?"

On this week's episode I interview an award-winning Broadway performer, choreographer, director, educator, and philanthropist, Stephanie Klemons (she/her). Growing up, Stephanie always knew she wanted to have kids. However, until recently, having kids didn't always seem like an achievable dream for many queer people. This was due to the lack of representation we saw around us, the legislation that made it difficult for queer parents to have or adopt kids, and the fact that we are told kids who are raised by queer parents will end up "troubled" or "messed up." Stephanie says she recalls asking adults who were her age who had been raised by queer parents if they were "okay." This, due to all of the lies we as queer people are fed from an oppressive religious hierarchy. However, that didn't stop her from pursuing this dream and eventually having, now, not one, but two kids. Stephanie talks about how it was important to raise her kids around other kids like them, hence raising them in a community with other same-sex parents. We also discuss her and her wife's process to get pregnant, the importance of kids seeing themselves in media, the proudest moments she has had as a parent, and much more.

Follow Stephanie:
Instagram
Website
Katie’s Art Project

Organization of the Week: Queer Art
Learn
Donate

Resources for Further Learning:
Same Sex Parenting - Birth Certificate FAQ's
How expensive is it for Queer couples to have kids?

Show Produced by Nick Eibler

Co-Produced/Edited by Addison McKissack

Theme Song written by Matt Gregory, Colin Egan, and Mike Hubbard 
Produced by Colin Egan and Mike Hubbard

Logo Design by David Pavón