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 group our reading will be more geared towards preparing to conception, 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.
For this group, we will review sections of “Baby Making for Everybody” 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, known 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 Baby Making for Everybody by Ray Rachlin, LM, CPM, and Marea Goodman, LM, CPM. The book is currently available in e-book, audiobook, and paperback formats. Check your local library (you may also want to explore interlibrary loan options) or you can purchase a copy through one of the links here.
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).
Content Note & A Word: This book does reference options for building families by way of adoption. Along with all content in this book, please read with care and compassion for yourself. I am not equipped to support adoption journeys, so we will be skipping most of that content, but some of the chapters we cover will reference it.
For those that may be considering adoption - I urge you to listen to adoptees, especially transnational & transracial adoptees, about the impact of adoption in their lives and their recommendations around adoption, to center the needs of children and their families who are involved in adoptive and/or foster care systems, as well as to consider the many ethical considerations of this path.
The Agenda:
Tuesday, July 11th - Chapter 1: Why Do You Want to Be a Parent, Anyway? (pp 1-16)
Tuesday, July 18th - Chapter 2: Sperm, Eggs, and Uteruses - Where to Get ‘Em When You Need ‘Em (pp 17-52)
Tuesday, August 1st - Selections from Chapter 3: Timing is Everything: How to Figure Out Your Fertility (pp 53 - 82)
Tuesday, August 8th - Chapter 4: Getting Pregnant: From Turkey Baster to Test Tube and Everything in Between (pp 95 - 132)
Tuesday, August 15th - Chapter 5: Trans People Have Babies, Too (pp 133 - 161)
Tuesday, August 22nd - Chapter 9: Protecting Our Families: Legal Considerations and Building Community Resilience (pp 245 - 264)
The intention is that you will come to the group having read or skimmed the indicated pages above (and/or what applies to your situation). Don’t stress about getting everything read!
Additional Info:
Group takes place over (6) Tuesdays, starting July 11th. (Please note: We will not meet on Tuesday, July 25th)
We will meet for up to two hours each session, depending on discussion & questions, and including breaks.
Group is virtual and size is limited.
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.
Due to the nature of the group, I ask that you please plan on attending these sessions live, when possible/accessible. I will not record our check-in time, but will record other portions of our sessions if you are unable to attend.
Exchange: Sliding Scale is $60-$120 per person attending. (Or: $10 - $20 per session, per person. Please register for each person attending as size is limited.
R1 - Support Rate = $120
R2 - Regular Rate = $80
R3 - Community Rate = $60
Read our full 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).
If it is not accessible to pay all at once or the total amount for all those attending in your family, please email me at aguasangrehealing@gmail.com and we will work something out!
Payment plans and other “we can work it out” options are available
(Limited) scholarships are also available for QTBIPOC folks
If you would like to pay it forward to support more community or scholarship 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 $120.
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