About Lane
Lane Igoudin, Ph.D., is a speaker, educator, and author of A Family, Maybe, a transformative journey through foster adoptions to fatherhood (Ooligan Press, Portland State U., 2024; Ophel Press, 2026). He has written extensively on parenting, spiritual growth, and LGBTQ+ issues for Adoption.com, Forward, Jewish Journal, Lambda Literary Review, LGBTQ Nation, Parabola, and Tablet. He has spoken about his parenting journey on NBC-TV, NPR, dozens of radio and podcast shows, as well as to live audiences at many venues. Lane is professor of linguistics at Los Angeles City College and a past Andrew W. Mellon Fellow with the Humanities Division of UCLA.
Welcome to my website! Following the original release of my memoir A Family, Maybe two years ago, I’ve been on the road – literally, virtually, and metaphorically. Giving public talks about our journey from Portland to LA to Mexico City has been just as exciting as speaking about it to the media. I am delighted to see so many receptive readers our uncommon family-building story has found.
A Family, Maybe is now taking on a life of its own as the new, revised and updated edition came out this fall. In the meantime, I am continuing to write and publish new pieces, which I share here as well. So please join me on this journey and feel free to connect!
–Lane
News, Events, Readings
- LACC Collegian Times magazine features my book – and my life
Los Angeles City College’s annual glossy magazine dedicated the centerfold to my adoptive Dad journey. The writer Erica Martinez ably captured its essence, yet she also dug into other areas of my life, specfically about how my refugee background broughtContinue reading “LACC Collegian Times magazine features my book – and my life” - At the Indie Author Summit
Delighted to share successful strategies for debut authors, drawing on my 3-year media+event promotion campaign for A Family, Maybe. I divided my workshop-style presentation into pre-launch, launch, and post-publication steps – with specific tips and links. This was my 2ndContinue reading “At the Indie Author Summit” - It’s a Wrap with Rap podcast interview
“Navigating the Journey of Gay Parenting and Foster Adoption” is the title of the 1-hour episode on which the seasoned podcaster Ron Rapaport interviews me on his “podcast of overcomers and of useful information to better our lives and mentalContinue reading “It’s a Wrap with Rap podcast interview” - On Healthy Mind, Healthy Life podcast
A fulfilling conversation with Avik Chakraborty on his podcast featuring “real stories from humans who’ve walked through something and come back with something worth sharing.” Listen here. Episode Summary “In this heartfelt episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, Lane Igoudin,Continue reading “On Healthy Mind, Healthy Life podcast” - Live studio interview on KLBP-FM
This was my 44th radio / TV / podcast interview, but the first one done live in a studio, with a microphone dangling in front of me, no breaks for an hour, no edits, so still a new experience. WeContinue reading “Live studio interview on KLBP-FM” - Pride Month Author Talk at Alpert JCC
Honored to be invited to speak about our family journey and Jewish parenting values at the beautfiul Alpert JCC in Long Beach as their LGBTQ Pride Month speaker. The JCC did an outstanding job publicizing the talk and provided theContinue reading “Pride Month Author Talk at Alpert JCC” - Speaking at a Temple Beth Am / IKAR event
I had some pretty big shoes to fill last night. My talk about raising adoptive kids Jewish was scheduled alongside four others, immediately following a plenary featuring LA’s two most distinguished rabbis: Rabbi Elliot Dorff and Rabbi Sharon Brous. IContinue reading “Speaking at a Temple Beth Am / IKAR event” - At the Long Beach LGBTQ Center Library opening
Thrilled to be part of the opening of the Center’s new Booher Library. The event called “Pride in the Pages” included 9 authors. We read, we talked, we signed books, we all had a good time! Glad to see nowContinue reading “At the Long Beach LGBTQ Center Library opening” - My latest JJ article rediscovers a forgotten Jewish kingdom
My article uncovers the spectacular rise and fall of a once flourishing Jewish kingdom of Himyar in southern Arabia. It appears on p. 24 of the Jewish Journal in print (April 17-23, 2026, p. 24) and online, The story carriesContinue reading “My latest JJ article rediscovers a forgotten Jewish kingdom”
Praise for A Family, Maybe
“10/10. A profound study on the meaning of family—both biological and found—
that will stun readers in its authenticity and emotion.”
—BookLife by Publishers Weekly, Critic Review
“An inspiring portrait of steadfast love under pressure.”
Janet Fitch, White Oleander, an Oprah’s Book Club selection
“A story of hope and perseverance for everyone who cares about justice and fairness.”
U.S. Congressman Alan Lowenthal
“A true tale of love and legal
struggles met by one couple hoping to adopt.”
Farron Hipp, NBC “Daytime”
TV Show
“A breathtaking exploration of challenges that adults and children face when navigating foster care adoption.”
Rita L. Soronen, President, Dave Thomas
Foundation for Adoption
“As an adoptee, I appreciate Lane’s centering the safety and well-being of the child while evoking empathy for everyone involved.”
Anna Jinja, The Anna Jinja Show, WOUB-FM (NPR)
“A lesson from a transformative era when California’s LGBTQ+ community was struggling to gain acceptance, respect, and equal rights.”
California State Senator Sheila Kuehl
“Questions the underlying premises of an American institution not historically designed to serve families like his.”
Curtis Chin, an American Library Association Stonewall Award Winner
“Riveting! A must-read for any prospective foster-adoptive caregiver.”
Jenny Serrano, Children’s Services
Administrator, County of Los Angeles
“An emotional hook to the heart that will keep even die-hard thriller readers turning pages.”
Greta Boris, a USA TODAY bestselling author
Lane Igoudin | Author, Professor, Dad 