Clare, I write about family-building generally, and what I call "the scenic path to parenthood" specifically -- stories of complications with the process, whether due to fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, or other factors like divorce. I think the topic of reproductive equity for queer couples is really important and one I'm passionate about myself as a straight-passing queer person. Would love to be Substack buddies as you continue to consider the forks in the road for yourself.
Thank you for this generous comment, Ryan. It's lovely to be connected with you. I am still shocked (though maybe not surprised) that the mass exclusion of queer couples from publically funded fertility treatment generated ZERO controversy here in Ireland. I've found writing about it to be an important way to say "No, this is wrong! Even if y'all are fine with it, this is still wrong."
Thanks so much for writing about this topic and sharing your experience after your mother's death. I lost my mother when I was 23 and though she had time to put her affairs in order beforehand, I was still barely able to cope. Something definitely changed after that for me in terms of the desire to have children, but these are conversations we need to keep having!
Thanks Aisling. I'm very sorry for your loss. Loosing my mother at a young age was a foundational trauma for me and it shaped the rest of my life. I'm still unravelling all the ways it impacted me but, as you say, talking about it helps. Thanks for reading!
There's very little out there about losing parents as young adults, it's great to read someone else's experience. And your writing about the IVF situation in Ireland is so important!
Clare, I write about family-building generally, and what I call "the scenic path to parenthood" specifically -- stories of complications with the process, whether due to fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, or other factors like divorce. I think the topic of reproductive equity for queer couples is really important and one I'm passionate about myself as a straight-passing queer person. Would love to be Substack buddies as you continue to consider the forks in the road for yourself.
Thank you for this generous comment, Ryan. It's lovely to be connected with you. I am still shocked (though maybe not surprised) that the mass exclusion of queer couples from publically funded fertility treatment generated ZERO controversy here in Ireland. I've found writing about it to be an important way to say "No, this is wrong! Even if y'all are fine with it, this is still wrong."
Yes! It is still wrong!
Great job on the article Clare! (It made me livid.) And further thanks for this more personal dive into it.
Thank you Tina!
Thanks so much for writing about this topic and sharing your experience after your mother's death. I lost my mother when I was 23 and though she had time to put her affairs in order beforehand, I was still barely able to cope. Something definitely changed after that for me in terms of the desire to have children, but these are conversations we need to keep having!
Thanks Aisling. I'm very sorry for your loss. Loosing my mother at a young age was a foundational trauma for me and it shaped the rest of my life. I'm still unravelling all the ways it impacted me but, as you say, talking about it helps. Thanks for reading!
There's very little out there about losing parents as young adults, it's great to read someone else's experience. And your writing about the IVF situation in Ireland is so important!