In our first expert episode of the season, we sit down with Dr. George Parker, senior lecturer of health service delivery at Victoria University of Wellington. With a clinical background in midwifery and a PhD in sociology, George has dedicated their career to making perinatal spaces safer and more inclusive for rainbow whānau.

We talk about the complexities of LGBTQ+ parenthood, the importance of inclusive healthcare, and what it means to come into your own with age (and a bit of gumption). George also shares insights from their research, including the Trans Pregnancy Care Project, which explored the experiences of trans parents and healthcare providers. You can read more about this project at transpregnancycareproject.wordpress.com.

George also introduces their new initiative, Inclusion Through Difference, which will include a nationwide survey of rainbow parents launching this September. This survey is an important chance for our communities to be counted and to contribute to research that wants to see us thrive. You can follow the project on Instagram at @inclusionthroughdifference, and the survey will be available through Moana Vā, so be sure to follow them too @moana_va.

Finally, George highlights rainbow-inclusive antenatal classes offered by Empwr, which provide affirming and supportive pregnancy education. You can learn more at empwrbirth.com.

Thanks for listening to Proud Conception. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, follow the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and join the conversation with us on Instagram @ProudConceptionPod.