She adds that:
Visibility matters.
Representation matters
…and it can literally change a life.
For this reason, Gena is helping the community with free legal support on her new site, connecting rainbows. Advocating for the LGBTQ+ community and helping them navigate the complexities of the legal process of modern family building is something close to her heart.
People like to believe that a child needs a male and female figure in their life. They don’t – they need love.
Here’s more about Gena – wife, mom and advocate:
Q: How did you and Jordana meet?
My wife and I met on the subway in NYC – the F Train. seriously. I never talk to people on the subway but something about her made me feel compelled. Our first date was the next night and the rest is history!
Q: What surprised you most about building your family together? Anything you wish you knew?
I wish I knew how expensive it was going to be. We just naively assumed the process to have children would be easy. And, on top of that, we had to spend several thousand dollars ensuring we were both considered the legal parents in the eyes of the law. Being on the birth certificate is NOT enough for a same sex cis couple in the United States.
We had to spend several thousand dollars ensuring we were both considered the legal parents in the eyes of the law. Being on the birth certificate is not enough for a same sex cis couple in the US.
Q: What’s a misconception(s) people have about lesbian/queer family building?
People like to believe that a child needs a male and female figure in their life. They don’t – they need love.
Q: How did you become moms x2?
We had both of our kids through reciprocal IVF – my wife’s eggs and I carried! It wasn’t an easy path and we had a lot of bumps in the road, but it was all worth it.
Q: When you hear the term ‘Pride & Joy’ and look at your family, what comes to mind?
I am so proud of how we created our family. Our two children are truly a piece of both of us. While they are not my biological children, I carried them. I can’t think of anything more beautiful. My family is everything.
Q: Why is it important to advocate and use your voice in the infertility/modern family planning world?
It’s important for us to show others that we are just like everyone else. We want to normalize our family. We want allies to teach their children that families come in all different shapes, sizes, colors and genders. And we want to show those in the LGBTQ+ community that having a family for them IS possible.
For more, follow Gena on IG at @genavievejaffe & @connectingrainbowsorgand
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