>> Details for the July Book Club can be found here. Sorry for the link mix up! <<
Join us for QUEERING CONCEPTION BOOK CLUB! Part book club, part knowledge & resource building, and part community support space for queer, non-binary, and trans folks interested in, planning to, and/or actively trying* to conceive.
*Please note: in this first group we will be reading Queer Conception and focusing on chapters more geared towards preparing to conceive, although the information may be helpful regardless of where you are in your conception journey. (And you are welcome regardless of where you are in your conception journey!) Read more below to see what we’ll be covering in this group - and stay tuned for future book clubs!
This facilitated book club is meant to offer supportive space, to increase knowledge, to better resource ourselves, and to create connections with fellow LGBTQIA2S+ folks also on this journey as we navigate systems that we are often excluded from and/or harmed by. We know the intention, joy, magic, and grief that go into weaving our families. We will weave in the next generation with great care.
>> Details for the July Book Club can be found here. Sorry for the link mix up! <<
For this group, we will review sections of “Queer Conception,” to learn more about fertility, fertility planning for cycling individuals, and conception options. (Schedule and where to find the book below.)
Each time we come together, we will hold space for group discussion on what was learned, how it helps shape our conception journeys, and what questions remain - as well as for ourselves and one another, via group processing/heart check-in space. Michelle will also facilitate some intentional Q&A time to help answer any questions that arose from the readings.
This virtual group is for queer, trans, and non-binary folks who are thinking about, hoping to, and/or actively trying to become gestational parents/pregnant themselves - as well as for partners, non-gestational parents, co-parents-to-be, multi-partner & poly families, gamete donors, support people and/or other loved ones not already named.
The space is held by all of us and facilitated by, me, Michelle Castor (she/they). I am a fertility doula, postpartum doula, grief worker, herbalist, facilitator, and bodyworker. All-in-all, I am a 𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒅𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒂, supporting individuals and communities navigating the portal-like experiences of fertility, prenatal, postpartum, and grief and loss with tools like ritual, gentle embodiment, herbal allies, wonder, awareness, and more. Find out more about me and my work here.
The Book: For this group, we are reading Queer Conception by Liam Kali, (name on the book will read Kristin L. Kali), Licensed Midwife. You can find a copy of the book here or here. It is available online, through some audiobook platforms, and through many library systems (you may also want to check interlibary loan options). The book is currently available in e-book, audiobook, and paperback formats.
If you need assistance in getting a copy (whether financial, logistical, or otherwise) please reach out for support! I may have a copy or two to loan as well. If you would like to purchase a book for someone else - venmo me at @aguasangrehealing (with a note explaining what the $ is for).
The Agenda:
Wednesday, February 15th - Chapter 1: Making Decisions and Creating a Timeline (28 pages)
Wednesday, February 22nd - Chapters 2 & 3: Fertile Health For Every Body & Lab Tests and Fertility Evaluations (48 pages)
Wednesday, March 1st - Chapter 4: Gamete Donors (20 pages)
Wednesday, March 8th - Chapter 6: Insemination Methods and Timing (62 pages, approximately 22 of these pages are pictures/sample cycle charting diagrams)
Wednesday, March 15th - Chapter 8: In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer (22 pages)
The intention is that you will come to the group having read the indicated chapter(s) above. But don’t fret if you don’t get it all read!
Exchange & Additional Info:
Group takes place over (5) Wednesdays, starting February 15th. We will meet for up to two hours each session, depending on discussion & questions, and including breaks.
Group is virtual and size is limited.
Read our sliding scale guidelines here. (Please also take into consideration if you are registering with/parenting with other people or not and how much access you have to support).
Zoom link will be shared upon registration. Please note, there will be distinct zoom links for each session. Your reminder emails will have the most up-to-date zoom link.
Please plan on attending each session, if possible/accessible. I will not record our check-in time, but can happily record other portions of our sessions on request.
Exchange: Sliding Scale is $50-$100 per person attending. (Or: $10-$20 per session per person)
R1 - Support Rate = $100
R2 - Regular Rate = $66
R3 - Community Rate = $50
If you are feeling called to this group, but the rates, paying all at once, or the total amount for all those attending in your family is not accessible, please email me at aguasangrehealing@gmail.com and we will figure something out!
If you would like to pay it forward to support more free or community spots - venmo me at @aguasangrehealing (with a note explaining what the $ is for). <3
Please note: Event is priced at our Support Rate (R1) at $100.
For the Regular Rate (R2) use coupon QUEERBBS at checkout.
For the Community Rate (R3) use coupon FAMBAM at checkout.
Accessibility Info: This event will be hosted online via zoom. There will be live auto captions. Event will be hosted in English. If you have additional accessibility needs, please let me know when registering or email us at aguasangrehealing@gmail.com and I will do my best to accommodate!
Cancellations & Refunds: You can cancel your registration up until 12 hours in advance via confirmation email. If you need to cancel later than 12 hours in advance, we ask that you let us know as soon as possible. Please note: no refunds will be made unless group is canceled by Michelle/Agua y Sangre. In the event you miss the entire group, the amount you paid can be transferred to another service or event - please email us at aguasangrehealing@gmail.com