Why is Mardi Gras such an important time for you and your family?

Mardi Gras has become one of our favourite times of the year and heading to the parade is now a real family tradition. It’s a chance for our kids to see that who we are as a family is something to celebrate, and for us to feel truly seen and embraced as a queer family. 

It’s so powerful to stand in a crowd where people are celebrated for being themselves. For our kids, seeing families that look like ours, as well as families that look very different, shows them that our family is part of something bigger - a community full of love, diversity, and support.

Mardi Gras also gives us a chance to reflect on history, the activism that paved the way, and the ongoing work to stand up against discrimination.

What does it mean to march in the parade with Rainbow Families?

Marching with Rainbow Families is a real joy and a privilege. There’s something incredibly special about walking down the street with our kids and hearing the crowd cheer to celebrate families like ours. It’s fun, affirming, and even a bit emotional. 

It’s such a fun night, dressing up, all the glitter, the rainbows, but it’s also much more than that. For our kids, it’s powerful to see rainbow families so visibly celebrated, especially when that kind of representation isn’t something they necessarily see every day. And for us, it’s about being the visibility we didn’t always have growing up. It’s our way to say that this is our family, we are proud, and we belong. Being surrounded by the Rainbow Families community makes that sense of connection and belonging even stronger. 

What do you love most about being part of the Rainbow Families community?

I love the sense of understanding and support that comes from being with other queer families. We don’t have to explain ourselves or justify our family, there’s an immediate connection and shared experience.

I also really value the representation. In our area, visibility of queer families can be limited, so it’s so important for our kids to regularly see families like ours to help build their pride and confidence. 

And the practical support has been incredible, especially at key times like antenatal classes, new parents groups and family meet-ups. It’s inclusive and affirming in a way that mainstream spaces often aren’t. I also love knowing there’s so much available for older kids as we move into those stages.

What do you love most about being part of the Rainbow Families community?

I love the sense of understanding and support that comes from being with other queer families. We don’t have to explain ourselves or justify our family, there’s an immediate connection and shared experience.

I also really value the representation. In our area, visibility of queer families can be limited, so it’s so important for our kids to regularly see families like ours to help build their pride and confidence. 

And the practical support has been incredible, especially at key times like antenatal classes, new parents groups and family meet-ups. It’s inclusive and affirming in a way that mainstream spaces often aren’t. I also love knowing there’s so much available for older kids as we move into those stages.

What message do you hope people take away when they see your family in the parade?

I hope people see us and think 'love makes a family'. It’s on our shirts, but it’s also the whole point. Rainbow families are built with love. That love is intentional, fierce and unwavering. It’s what makes our families strong and what helps kids thrive. 

Can you share a little about how you created your family?

We created our family through IVF and foster care and it's taken a lot of love, patience and resilience to get here!

Our first baby was conceived through IVF with a known donor, who’s also part of the Rainbow Families community. It was a tough road to get there, but the most beautiful outcome. Our daughter Marley is now 4½. She's clever, kind and everything we hoped for.

We tried for a long time for second baby through IVF but it weren’t successful. That experience made us reflect that there are many ways to make a family. We explored foster care and were incredibly lucky to have a beautiful baby join our family, who is now almost 2. He's thriving, cheeky and completely adored.

Last year we decided to revisit IVF. After countless transfers and a long emotional journey, we’re now 20 weeks pregnant, with a baby due mid-year. We’re excited and still in disbelief.

It hasn’t been a straightforward path to creating our family, and for many families it isn’t. There’s been heartache alongside joy. But every step has been worth it to have our beautiful family. 

What role did your fertility provider play in that journey?

Fertility First has been part of both the beginning of our family and now this new chapter.

Fertility itself has not been an easy road for us but Fertility First have always been inclusive, approachable, and trustworthy. They've guided us through the challenges of fertility treatment and always looked out for our best interests. In a process that can feel overwhelming and uncertain, having a team that is caring, respectful and considered has made an enormous difference. 

What was most important to you when choosing a fertility provider?

For us, it was really important to feel valued and supported as a queer family. Knowing that Anne and the team at Fertility First have been supporting LGBTQIA+ families for a long time gave us confidence and reassurance. We also valued recommendations from friends who had used their services. And, most importantly, we wanted a place where we felt safe, included, and accepted as a family, and Fertility First has always provided that.

Why is it meaningful to have fertilty providers supporting Rainbow Families in the parade?

Having organisations like Fertility First march with Rainbow Families shows that they value and celebrate the diversity of the families they help create. For many rainbow families, fertility services are essential but aren’t always accessible. Seeing a provider actively supporting community helps creates a safer, more inclusive space for families like ours.

Is there anything else you would like people to understand about rainbow families and what Mardi Gras represents for you?

What's the best thing about being a parent?

Being a parent is just incredible. It has given our lives a whole new meaning. The love we have for our family is overwhelming and unconditional. Watching our kids grow, explore the world, and discover who they are fills us with joy and gratitude every single day.

They are such amazing kids - they make us laugh, they make us proud, and doing this together as a couple is the most rewarding journey we could imagine.

Find out more about Fertility First with Genea here.

Awarded Fertility Clinic of the Year for two consecutive years at the Australia Surrogacy and Donor Awards 2024 and 2025. Recipient of the NSW Premier Award for Fertility Clinic of the Year 2024.

• In partnership with Genea Fertility.  Content produced independently by Rainbow Families.