Description

Alon Rivel joins Jaimie for a brutally honest, funny, and heartfelt conversation about what it really takes—emotionally, financially, and spiritually—to build a queer family through surrogacy. From his surrogate’s iconic one-liners (“I’m not keeping it”) to his reflection that queer parents are architects of love, Alon reminds us what intentional parenthood looks like.

🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways

• The intentionality of queer family building—“We don’t choose to be gay, but we choose to have families.”
• Growing up gay in a Jewish-Israeli household in New York, finding safety through love and community.
• The surrogacy process from start to finish, including choosing an egg donor, working with Circle Surrogacy, and navigating the language (and insurance nightmares) that still exclude LGBTQ+ parents.
• Building lifelong relationships with both their surrogate and egg donor—relationships that have become extended family.
• Raising their son with full transparency about his origin story, teaching body honesty, and dismantling shame from day one.
• The cost, the fight for recognition (“Say mom again!”), and the joy of finally holding their son.

🏳️‍🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️‍🌈

• Alon Rivel (he/him) is a gay dad and husband. Alon and his husband built their family through surrogacy after a decade-long relationship, a pandemic pivot, and a $220K price tag—and they’re raising their son surrounded by love, transparency, and the chosen family who helped bring him into the world.

🏳️‍🌈 Thanks to our sponsor California Cryobank!

If you’re listening to this show, there’s a good chance you’re building your family the queer way — and might need a little help in the sperm department. 🩵 Use code QUEERFAM25 at cryobank.com for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!

🏳️‍🌈 Book with GWK's Spring Break Cruise Vacation!Join Jaimie and her family (and other LGBTQIA+ families) on a 3 night cruise in the Bahamas. Be sure to mention that you heard about it here! Click that link ➡️ https://travelbrilliant.net/mbg/gwk-spring-break-2026/

🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentioned

• Feast & Fettle – Meal delivery for families, by families.
• The Ali Forney Center – Supporting LGBTQ+ youth.
• Circle Surrogacy – Alon’s surrogacy agency.
• California Cryobank – Use code QUEERFAM25.

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🏳️‍🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️‍🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️‍🌈 Logo by: Daneen Stevenato 🏳️‍🌈 Shop merch here. 🏳️‍🌈 Full transcript & episode info available on our website

🗳️ VOTE. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ADVOCATE. 🍼 BUILD QUEER FAMILIES.

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a trusted professional for your specific situation!

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