Pathways to Parenthood

Thinking about starting or growing your family?

This workshop will provide an overview of navigating assisted reproductive treatment (ART) as one of the pathways to parenthood for LGBTIQA+ people. The session is designed for cis and trans women, trans men, and gender diverse people.

We’ll cover:

• overview of public and private ART providers
• ART procedures including insemination and IVF
• information relevant to queer people considering their options around sperm and egg donors.

The session will also feature a Q&A with Morgan Podesta, drawing on her experience as a family lawyer relating to ART. Bring your questions along, or ask them ahead of time.

Who are your hosts?

The workshop will be facilitated by Amelia Arnold (she/her). Amelia has worked within fertility and ART for over 12 years, as a donor coordinator, researcher, community educator and workforce trainer for fertility and ART providers. Amelia has run community fertility education for queer and trans communities for 7 years, including her annual "Rainbow Families" workshop at Gaytimes Festival and working with queer and trans people to provide system navigation and advocacy support. Amelia recently completed her Social Work Masters dissertation, focussed on the experiences of trans and gender diverse individuals in ART and fertility healthcare, with the intention to support systemic advocacy for queer and trans people accessing ART, and develop evidence-based resources for trans communities navigating ART and fertility preservation ahead of medical gender affirmation.

The session will also include a Q&A with Morgan Podesta (she/her), drawing on her experience as a family lawyer relating to ART. Morgan is an experienced solicitor (currently on leave from practising) who specialised in family law, child safety and family violence. Morgan has worked with LGBTQIA+ people from all walks of life and advocated in court on behalf of transgender youth seeking access to gender affirming care. A proud transgender woman and LGBTQIA+ advocate, Morgan serves her communities through volunteering with various organisations and collectives, including Switchboard Victoria where she currently serves as Board Chair. Morgan was born in an LGBTQIA+ family who needed a donor arrangement and Morgan intends to utilise ART when she starts her own family.

Spaces are limited! Please let us know if you can no longer make it so we can pass your ticket on to someone else.