If you've already found the strength to come out while in a straight marriage with kids, we believe you can literally do ANYTHING! This episode, GWK host David Dodge talks to motivational speaker, life coach, podcaster and gay dad Rick Clemons about how to live an authentic, fulfilling life after coming out when you have children. As Rick explains, he came out when his daughters were very young, but no matter how old your kids are, coming out as a dad is never easy. Since then, Rick has turned his experience into an career as an inspirational life coach, helping others in his same situation; gay or bisexual men with kids who may be struggling to live their authentic lives. Rick also discusses how he helps queer men and dads use the strength they found to come out of the closet to do other tough but rewarding things, like finding the perfect job, creating healthy relationships, and raising your kids the way they want. Find out more at RickClemons.com, and check out his podcasts "Life Uncloseted" and "40 Plus: Gay Men. GayTalk." This will be the last episode of GWK the podcast for now. Thank you to all our guests, listeners, and to the awesome the team behind the show. We hope to be back in the future! You can always reach out to GWK at dads@gayswithkids.com, find us on social media @gays_with_kids, and be sure to check out GWK Academy, where we help gay, bi and trans men form their families, at gayswithkids.com.

You may know proctologist Dr. Evan Goldstein as New York City's "Butt Doctor," or maybe as the gay dad who appeared in a Postmates commercial talking about the best foods to eat as a bottom (youtube.com/watch?v=qmSX7NjsDKA) But performing and discussing anal surgery is just one of the ways he helps queer men maintain their sexual health. As a gay dad-of-two and the founder of Bespoke Surgical in NYC, Dr. Goldstein has a lot of solid sexual advice for other gay dads, whether single or partnered, tops or bottoms. This episode, GWK host David Dodge and Dr. Goldstein discuss everything gay men wish we had been taught in sex ed., like the best way to douche before anal sex to maintain a healthy microbiome, how to properly use lube, and how tops can be more considerate to bottoms. He also explains what gay men should know about the Monkeypox virus, how its spreads, and what the health risks are for those who might contract it. And he covers how gay men can talk to straight doctors about testing them fully for STI's, since anal health is easily overlooked by medical professionals who don't specialize in the gay community. Learn about how to become a dad as a gay/bi/trans man at gayswithkids.com/gwk-academy and follow GWK on social media @Gays_with_kids Thanks to this episode's sponsors, Mosie Baby, find out more about at-home insemination kits at MosieBaby.com, Little Spoon, go to LittleSpoon.com and enter code GWK50 for 50% off your first order of organic baby, toddler and kid food, and Magic Spoon cereal, go to MagicSpoon.com/GWK and use code GWK for $5 off your order.

Researching LGBTQ+ parents is a very complex task, but thankfully the Williams Institute at UCLA Law School is doing the work to form a more complete picture of the queer parenting community, who we are, how we're forming our families, and what supports we need. This episode, host David Dodge talks to Williams Institute Research Director Kerith Conron about the reported rates of queer people in the US, what is and is not know about gay parents, and why it's important for researchers to better learn about us and our kids. They also cover some statistics about the rising number of Gen-Z that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, the rates of queer and trans vs. cis and straight adoptive and foster parents, and why those numbers matter when it comes to implementing truly representative policies. Learn more about becoming a father as a gay/bi/trans man at gayswithkids.com/gwk-academy and follow us on social media @gays_with_kids Thanks to this episode's sponsors, Mosie Baby, find out more about at-home insemination kits at MosieBaby.com, and Little Spoon, go to LittleSpoon.com and enter code GWK50 for 50% off your first order of organic baby, toddler and kid food.

Having kids in former straight relationships is one of the most common ways gay, bi and trans men become fathers. After dads come out, many of those relationships turn into co-parenting situations. But what is not often discussed is just what gay men go through when they come out to their wife and kids, how much strength it takes for them to build a whole new life, and the joy that can exist after wounds have started to heal. This episode, hear an inspirational story of resilience with Nigel Sellens, a dad in Australia who came out as gay after he and his ex-wife had had six kids, the youngest of whom is a special needs child. Nigel tells host Brit Smith how he handled the experience of coming out as a father, how he dealt with the aftermath, and how he kept parenting through it all. While Nigel says coming out when you’re already a dad is no easy feat, for him, having his children during that very difficult time of self-reflection was actually his saving grace. Learn more about becoming a father as a gay/bi/trans man at gayswithkids.com/gwk-academy and follow us on social media @gays_with_kids Thanks to this episode's sponsors, Mosie Baby, find out more about at-home insemination kits at MosieBaby.com, Little Spoon, go to LittleSpoon.com and enter code GWK50 for 50% off your first order of organic baby, toddler and kid food, and Magic Spoon cereal, go to MagicSpoon.com/GWK and use code GWK for $5 off your order.

Actor Claybourne Elder opens up about his life as a gay dad and full-time performer in Broadway's revival of Company and HBO's hit show The Gilded Age. This episode, host David Dodge and Claybourne discuss their shared upbringings in Utah's Mormon communities, Claybourne's experience coming out as gay, and his experience forming his family through surrogacy. They discuss why Claybourne and his husband picked IVF and surrogacy, and how they maintain relationships with their son's surrogate and egg donor. Claybourne also tells the heartwarming story of how he first entered the world of theater, how he deals with the pressures of being a gay father in the public eye, and how he maintains a work-life balance while being on Broadway six nights a week and filming with HBO. Check us out at GaysWithKids.com and follow us on social media @gays_with_kids for more stories of queer families. Thanks to this episode's sponsors; - Little Spoon organic baby, toddler and kid food; Get 50% off your first order of delicious pre-made healthy plates at LittleSpoon.com with the checkout code GWK50. - Mosie Baby, helping queer families avoid some of the high costs of IVF; go to MosieBaby.com and get 10% off at-home insemination kits with the code GWK10. - Magic Spoon healthier cereals, go to MagicSpoon.com/GWK and use the code GWK for $5 off.

The Supreme Court's decision on Dobbs v Jackson, which overturned Roe v Wade and ended the constitutional right to abortion access in the U.S., could have some serious implications for the LGBTQ+ community, and we have a lot of questions. Will the ruling impact how gay people foster, adopt, or access IVF? Does it signal the end of marriage equality? Should unmarried gay parents be concerned? And what can the queer community do now to stand up for our rights and the rights of people with uteruses? This episode, GWK host David Dodge talks to Denise Brogan-Kator, lawyer and chief policy officer at Family Equality, to break down what the Dobbs ruling means for queer parents and parents-to-be, what we should be aware of as more anti-queer legislation piles up, and how we can fight to keep our rights. Find out more at FamilyEquality.org Learn more about becoming a gay dad at GaysWithKids.com/GWK-Academy and follow us on social media @gays_with_kids for more stories and news that matters to the queer dad community. Thanks to this episode's sponsors; Mosie Baby, find out more about at-home insemination kits at MosieBaby.com and get 10% off with the code GWK, and Little Spoon, use code GWK50 at LittleSpoon.com for 50% off your first order of healthy delivery baby, toddler, and kid meals.

Father-of-four Jonathan Joly and his family have lived in the public eye for more than a decade as YouTube sensations. Amid the pandemic, when his 8-year-old daughter came out to him as trans, Jonathan decided to tell the world that he identifies as non-binary. Initially, the Joly family underwent an onslaught of negativity from both the media and the parenting community, but they have since found strength in their new identity as a queer-centric family. On this episode, Jonathan tells GWK host David Dodge about his childhood in Ireland, his early experiences as a non-binary person, and how he created an imaginary world full of acceptance which inspired his new book; "All My Friends Are Invisible." Jonathan also discusses how he and his wife dealt with the public backlash of his announcement, how they talked to their kids about understanding gender identity, and how he continues to speak out about being a non-binary parent with a trans kid through his online content. Find GWK on social media @gays_with_kids and learn about becoming a gay dad with the help of GWK Academy at GaysWithKids.com/GWK-Academy Thanks to our sponsors: - Little Spoon organic baby, toddler and kid food; Get 50% off your first order of delicious pre-made healthy plates at LittleSpoon.com with the checkout code GWK50. - Mosie Baby, helping queer families avoid some of the high costs of IVF; go to MosieBaby.com and get 10% off at-home insemination kits with the code GWK10. - Magic Spoon healthier cereals, go to MagicSpoon.com/GWK and use the code GWK for $5 off.

We check back in with Mario and Monte Foreman-Powell, the Nebraska military couple who just became new dads with the help of an altruistic surrogate, the Ellen DeGeneres Show, and an at-home surrogacy kit made by Mosie Baby. Mario and Monte tell host Brit Smith about the day their daughter Marayla was born, the issues they faced with health insurance coverage, and what they need to do to get both their names on their child's birth certificate in Nebraska. They also talk about what the first few weeks of being dads have been like, how they've stayed stocked up during the formula crisis, how they've been practicing self-care, and how they handled Mother's Day this year. Follow us on social media @gays_with_kids, and go to GaysWithKids.com to learn more about our gay dad peer support group and GWK Academy, helping you with every step of becoming a father. Thanks to this episode's sponsors Mosie Baby, find out more about at-home insemination kits at MosieBaby.com, and Little Spoon, use code GWK50 at LittleSpoon.com for 50% off your first order of healthy delivery baby, toddler, and kid meals.

It's Manhattan, NY in 2022, and we're still fighting for gay rights. This episode, we delve into the ongoing legal case of husbands Corey Briskin and Nicholas Maggipinto, who are suing the City of New York after their city-based health insurance plan rejected their bid to have a child through in vitro fertilization (IVF). According to their lawyer Peter Romer-Friedman, Corey and Nicholas' case shows that New York City "categorically excludes gay male employees from receiving in vitro fertilization benefits under the City’s health plan," while affording the same benefits to heterosexual couples, singles, and lesbian couples. This episode, GWK host David Dodge talks to hopeful dads Corey and Nicholas and their attorney Peter about the husbands' groundbreaking lawsuit, and how it could set a new precedent for the rights of queer male couples who want to form their families through surrogacy and IVF. Follow GWK on social media @gays_with_kids and learn more about becoming a gay dad at GaysWithKids.com. Thanks to this episode's sponsors; Mosie Baby, find out more about at-home insemination options at MosieBaby.com and use code GWK10 for 10% off. And thanks to Little Spoon; go to LittleSpoon.com and enter code GWK50 for 50% off your first order of organic baby, toddler and kid food.

New York City drag queen Ginger Ladd is more than just a fabulous nightlife entertainer, she is also one of the city's many gay foster parents. This episode, host David Dodge talks to Ginger (while she gets all made up!) about how she met her husband Mr. Ladd, how they connected with their oldest son and decided to enter the foster care system, and her real take on what it's like becoming a foster parent. They also discuss how Ginger became a drag performer, how she balances her full time schedule with raising two teens, and where fellow gay dads can go see her perform this Pride Month in New York, including at Ginger Ladd’s Third Annual Rockaway Pride. Get tickets at rockawaypride.eventbrite.com Find out more about our guest at GingerLadd.com, DragQueensAndKings.com, find her podcast Dear Ginger Ladd on all audio platforms. Follow Ginger Ladd on Instagram @thegingerladd | on TikTok @gingerladd | on Twitter @realgingerladd | and get a cameo at Cameo.com/GingerLadd Follow Gays With Kids on social media @gays_with_kids and learn more about becoming a dad while gay at GaysWithKids.com. Make sure to check out GWK Academy, which will guide you on your path to parenthood from the start. Thanks to our sponsors: - Little Spoon organic baby, toddler and kid food; Get 50% off your first order of delicious pre-made healthy plates at LittleSpoon.com with the checkout code GWK50. - Mosie Baby, helping queer families avoid some of the high costs of IVF; go to MosieBaby.com and get 10% off at-home insemination kits with the code GWK10. - Magic Spoon healthier cereals, go to MagicSpoon.com/GWK and use the code GWK for $5 off.