Speaking at ONE Archives at USC

Tour stop #4. On June 5, I spoke with Craig Loftin, PhD, professor of American Studies at CSU Fullerton, at ONE Archives at USC Libraries, the world’s largest repository LGBTQ materials.

With Craig being a well-known queer historian, we were able to look at our family building story, documented in A Family, Maybe, as representative of the first wave of out gay parents – the transformative time when our family making intertwined with the struggle for equality of the LGBTQ community, including full and equal rights to civil marriage and public adoption.

I read several excerpts from the book depicting our path to parenting, which mirrored that of the community at large.

USC had posted the event on its Event Calendar, and ONE also publicized it advance of the talk.

Thank you, Dr Joseph Hawkins, Lexi, Quetzal, and Au at ONE who helped organize the event, and to all who came, asked questions, and, for some reason, decided to get a copy of my book.😉

Book signing in Long Beach

Tour stop #3: A deep and lively conversation with Ellie Perez, head of The LGBTQ Center Long Beach at Page Against The Machine, especially when we explored “how we do family” as LGBTQ parents, how much our rights and visiblilty have grown, and yet how much work still remains to be done.

My book event took place during the Long Beach Pride week, but also on the International Family Day, which made it even more memorable.

Something special from the day. The morning of my talk at PATM, I found these adorable baby shoes from when my younger daughter was an infant!

I brought them with me and placed them proudly on the microphone podium. Just looking at them made the whole story feel real.😌 I’ll be taking them to all other book signings from now on.

Thank you, Chris Giaco (below), the owner of Page Against The Machine, for hosting us.

There will be another book signing in Long Beach: July 5 at Long Beach Historical Society in Bixby Knolls, and 2 more in LA: June 5 at ONE Archives at USC and June 14 at Book Soup on Sunset. Hope to see you at one of those!

Interview on Filled Up Cup, a parent self-care podcast

Our one-hour interview delved into the emotional and practical sides of adoption. Filled Up Cup ☕️describes itself as “a different kind of self-care resource — one that has nothing to do with bubble baths and face masks, and everything to do with rediscovering yourself after becoming a mother. Join us as we talk unique experiences, unconventional methods and off the wall products. I hope you’ll enjoy following . . . real reviews, honest experiences and unfiltered opinions that make you laugh, make you cry and most importantly- leave you with a filled up cup.” ☕️

Have you ever considered adoption?

@laneigoudin joins me on episode 89 of the Filled Up Cup podcast to discuss his candid memoir: A Family, Maybe Two Dads, Two Babies, and the Court Cases that Brought Us Together. This episode is streaming on all major podcast platforms.

☕️

☕️

#lgbtqbooks #memoirs #laneigoudin #fostercareadoption #lgbtadoption #gayrights #nationalbookloversday #bookinstagram #gaydadsofinstagram #fathersanddaughters #loveisloveislove
#myadoptionstory #parentingmemoir #fostercareawarenessmonth

The Pacific Sentinel on AFM’s path to publication

From the magazine’s story about the reasons why I wrote A Family, Maybe, and its long, arduous path to publication:

“Memoirs have a unique power to draw readers into the intimate narratives of our lives, offering glimpses into personal struggles, triumphs, and transformations. However, the path from lived experiences to a published book is often challenging, filled with revisions, rejections, and revelations. The story behind the creation of Lane’s memoir, “A Family, Maybe”, showcases the arduous yet rewarding journey of bringing deeply personal experience to life. . . “

The Journey of a Memoir

I am very touched by the article. Thank you, Janeth Hernandez, the writer, and the magazine!

Book talk at 2 LA congregations

Tour stop #2 – this time on Zoom! On April 17, I spoke at the joint online Lunch-and-Learn of two LGBTQ-affirming LA synagogues: Beth Chayim Chadashim and Congregation Kol Ami. Moderated by Rabbi Jillian Cameron (BCC), my one-hour talk focused mostly on our story depicted in A Family, Maybe and on Jewish values in parenting. There was a bit of reading from the book, and a lot of Q&A. The audience was warm and receptive. Glad to have been invited.

Watch the recording below.

Chats from the Blog Cabin podcast interview

A one-hour interview about my book with a bit of reading and a lot of storytelling on a popular podcast/YouTube channel.

Thank you for a great conversation, Melissa Vera!

Podcast:

YouTube



Speaking on Parenting 411 podcast

Thrilled to share our story and tips for other parents, adoptive or not, on a popular parenting podcast / YouTube channel, which presents it as an “inspiring journey of love, faith, and resilience. . . Tune in to hear about Lane’s experiences, the evolution of LGBTQ+ adoption rights, and how his family’s story intertwines with his Jewish faith. This episode is a beautiful reminder of the power of love and determination in creating a family.

In this deeply inspiring episode of The Parenting 411, we’re honored to have Lane Igoudin share his heartwarming journey. Lane, alongside his husband, navigated the complexities of the US adoption system in the early 2000s as a gay couple, leading them to the joyous adoption of their two daughters. This episode delves into their challenges, triumphs, and the profound impact of their journey on their family life and the broader LGBTQ+ community.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:
1. The unique obstacles Lane and his husband faced in the adoption process.
2. The evolution of LGBTQ+ rights and its impact on adoption since the early 2000s.
3. The role of love and resilience in building a family against the odds.
4. How Lane’s Jewish faith influenced his parenting and family dynamics.
5. Lane’s insights for prospective adoptive parents from diverse backgrounds. Resources and Links:
– A Family, Maybe (Lane’s memoir).
– Adoption.com guide for prospective foster/adoptive parents by Lane Igoudin.

🔗 Listen here.”

“Pathways to Parenthood” in Motherhood Later

Motherhood Later excerpted a chapter from my book A Family, Maybe about how I came to the idea of parenting, and foster / adoptive parenting in particular.

I was surprised by their chapter choice, but reading their website, and it’s a great website, full of resouces, news, and inerviews, I understood why. Moms (and Dads) Later is like a countrywide support group for parents over 35. I’d just turned 35 when we took in our first child, and my husband was a bit older. I can see how our experience could resonate with other 35+ parents. Take a look!

Mombian review of AFM

Delighted by a meticulously written and thoughtful review on Mombian, a popular LGBTQ parenting site, and the book’s inclusion in its online database of LGBTQ family books.

Calling A Family, Maybe a “heartfelt memoir,” the review suggests that “other foster parents (and prospective ones) may appreciate the sheer amount of detail he provides, which may offer insights on a practical or emotional level.”

It concludes with the following: “While rights for same-sex couples have advanced since the time of Lane’s daughters’ fostering (helped in part by the family stories that he and Jonathan, along with many others, submitted to various courts), there is still need for further change. Similarly, the need for reform of the foster care system remains urgent. Stories like this one show us why—but may also offer hope and help to others who are in the midst of similar experiences.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Book launch in Portland

A Family, Maybe‘s Feb. 13 launch at Bishop & Wilde at Tin House was a blast! My publisher, Ooligan Press is based at Portland State University, so it was only natural that we would start there.

The launch party started with the book signing, continued with an interview with the moderator, then a short reading, then more Q&A, then more signing. I am deeply thankful to Janeth Hernandez of Ooligan Press, who not only interviewed me but also managed a million details behind the scenes, all the Oolies on and offsite who made it happen, and Tyler of Bishop & Wilde, who hosted the launch in his warm, welcoming space.

I left Portland with unforgettable memories, and the launch attendees with the signed copies of AFM, which I hope they will enjoy.

The launch party followed the two talks I gave at Portland State University about the book the previous day.

The Pacific Sentinel, Portland State’s student-run magazine, covered the launch and the history of the book in a special feature in its April edition.

I am so honored by the reception the book received in Portland. Our LA launch is scheduled for June 14 at Book Soup on Sunset, and there will be other book-related events before and after. Stay tuned!