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Through film and conversation, rePROFilm advocates for reproductive health, justice and bodily autonomy. We lift intersectional issues, using the power of storytelling as a catalyst for knowledge, intention and action.

The rePROFilm Periodical – featuring a new film and podcast each month – is generously underwritten and is FREE and available to anyone.

VOLUME 17:

Taking PRIDE in Parenthood

We’re welcoming Pride Month with a celebration of queer parenting. Nearly a third of LGBTQ+ adults are raising a child under 18. Yet queer families still contend with reactionary public policies and a medical system that still has a lot of catching up to do. 

We’re struck by two recent studies. One suggests that more than half of queer parents in Florida have considered moving out of state after its “Don’t Say Gay” legislation. Another finds that children of queer parents have similar — and sometimes better — outcomes than children raised in “traditional” family structures. 

Our film selection this month illustrates how parenting in a queer relationship can open a couple up to both harm and joy. After watching two episodes from the short documentary series “Who Gets to Parent?,” we know you’ll fall in love with its protagonists Timmia and Pere DeRoy, a Kansas couple who chose to become parents by using assisted reproductive technology. 

“Who Gets to Parent?” is a powerful argument for the right of every person — queer or straight — to be free to make the reproductive choices that are right for them. Here’s to vanguards like the DeRoys who make that abundantly clear. 

XO,

the rePROFilm Team

P.S. Also coming up this month: the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that took away the constitutional right to access abortion care. We’re co-hosting a virtual film screening on June 21 — see the “Learn” section below and follow us on social media to learn more. And stay tuned for new about our upcoming in-person screenings of the documentary Plan C, in Wichita and Los Angeles.

Episodes 2 & 4 from “Who Gets to Parent?”

Directed by Timmia Hearn DeRoy (23 minutes total)

When Timmia and her partner Pere decided to have a child together, they didn’t know any queer couples who chose to become parents through IVF. “Who Gets to Parent?” documents all 13 steps of the process (yes, that many). Their challenges included overt medical racism and the enormous out-of-pocket costs associated with assisted fertility treatments. The couple never sugarcoats the struggle, but their personal story and knowledge sharing will surely convince other queer couples that they can realize their own dreams of parenthood. 

For our Vol. 17 Periodical, we’re sharing Episode 2, “Why IVF?,” and Episode 4, “IVF Check #1/Racism and Physicians.”

With special guests Timmia & Pere DeRoy

The “Who Gets to Parent?” creators join Asha Dahya on the rePROFilm Periodical Podcast to discuss their parenthood story and how they combined storytelling and research to create their documentary series. They also discuss the life-changing power of community building, the blessing of a family ally, and what it’s like to be queer parents who live in Kansas. A truly moving and inspiring conversation — one of our favorites. 

TUNE IN

“We started pouring so much more love into each other and patience into each other because we realized how alone we were on this journey.” — Pere DeRoy

Kids of queer parents are alright, sometimes even better

“Children of same-sex couples do just as well in life as those with opposite-sex parents — and in some cases, better, according to a new study” by Chinese and American researchers, whose findings suggest that children of “sexual minority” couples may have advantages, including better relationships with their parents.

(The Advocate)

Transgender and non-binary reproductive health care resources

This exhaustive list of reproductive health resources includes book and podcast recs along with information about lactation support, childbirth and parenting education, and fertility. Many of the resources are virtual, but there’s also info about in-person services for LA-area folks.

(Rethinking Reproductive Health)

Virtual event: The path to reproductive freedom a year after Dobbs

Join us for a virtual event on June 21 that will spotlight the short film “Under G-d” and bring filmmakers, advocates, and legal scholars together to discuss the ramifications of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and where we go from here.

(Watch the trailer & RSVP.)

The Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity at the University of Kansas

advocates for livability, fosters wellness, critically educates, and creates connections with and for queer and trans students, faculty, and staff alongside the broader KU community. 

TAKE ACTION
“So, That Happened”

rePROFilm programmer Neha Aziz is raising money to make a short film. She quickly met her goal of $15K, but you can still kick a few dollars her way. 

The film  follows Sheila and Imran who haven’t seen each other since college, but when Imran moves back to Austin, an opportunity arises for the pair to get acquainted once more. 

And look for “So, That Happened” on the 2024 film festival circuit!

TAKE ACTION

OUR GENEROUS UNDERWRITERS

Thank you to our underwriters which enable us to bring you the rePRO Periodical for free, as well as compensate all of our storytellers and contributors. Learn how you can support this public media initiative.

rePROFilm endeavors to make our programming a safe, accessible and welcome place for anyone who wants to participate. We acknowledge that we have much to learn about creating this space, and welcome and and all feedback that can make us better aware and able to support all minds and bodies.
We are committed to screening films in accessible venues, and also understand that meeting ADA standards for accessibility does not actually mean a venue is actually accommodating for everyone. As best we can, we will offer a complimentary companion ticket to our film screenings as requested. For our virtual screenings, we ask all filmmaking teams to provide closed captioning, audio descriptions or open captions whenever possible. For any questions, please contact us at 323-810-6909 or help@reprofilm.org. We are here to do our best to make our programming as inclusive as possible.

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