When The Courier published Dylan Seymour's reflection on attending The Familymakers Show in Newcastle, it captured something that extended far beyond the event itself. It became a powerful exploration of identity, queer parenthood, visibility and belonging within LGBTQIA+ fertility care in the UK — told through both a journalistic lens and a deeply personal experience.

As the son of four queer parents, Dylan described arriving at Familymakers to write a story, but leaving with "community", "pride" and a deeper understanding of his own beginnings. That reflection stayed with us long after the event itself.

Hosted through a collaboration between London Women's Clinic, London Sperm Bank and DIVA Magazine, The Familymakers Show brought together LGBTQIA+ individuals, couples, parents, advocates and fertility specialists for a day focused on inclusive fertility education, storytelling and connection.

LGBTQIA+ fertility care and the importance of visibility

Dylan spoke candidly about assumptions and questions LGBTQIA+ families may still face, but also about the sense of belonging he experienced at Familymakers, where lived experience and fertility expertise came together in one space. One line from his reflection stood out:

"I arrived at Familymakers seeking this article, but left having found community."

For many people exploring LGBTQIA+ fertility care, this sense of recognition is not always expected within healthcare settings — yet it can be one of the most important parts of the journey. Throughout the event, attendees heard open discussions around donor conception, IUI, reciprocal IVF and fertility preservation, alongside real stories from LGBTQIA+ parents and families. Speakers including writer and performer Fizz Milton shared honest reflections on parenting within a two-mum family, offering insight into both the joy and complexity of LGBTQIA+ family life.

For many, seeing their experiences reflected back - in both clinical education and lived storytelling - was just as valuable as the medical information being shared. For some, these conversations also prompted deeply personal moments of reflection, including a greater understanding of their own origins and family stories.

Inclusive fertility education: pathways to parenthood

A key theme in The Courier's feature was the importance of accessible, inclusive fertility education. At Familymakers, expert-led sessions from London Women's Clinic clinicians explored pathways including IVF, IUI, donor conception and reciprocal IVF for same-sex couples combining clinical expertise with lived experience to bridge the gap between medical information and personal understanding.

Why inclusive fertility care matters

Fertility care for LGBTQIA+ families is not only about treatment outcomes. It is also about emotional experience, visibility and trust. Patients need to feel that they are not an exception within the system, but fully seen within it. For some attendees, the day provided clarity on next steps in treatment. For others, it offered something equally important: a sense of belonging and possibility.

Continuing to build inclusive pathways to parenthood

Stories like Dylan's reinforce why inclusive fertility care matters, not only because access to treatment should be equitable, but because representation and understanding shape how people experience their path to parenthood. As we continue to expand access to fertility services across the UK, including in the North, our focus remains ensuring every individual and couple feels supported, informed and recognised in their journey to build a family.

Be-in-the-know with Familymakers

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