Kira & Desirée

As my fiancée and I begin to plan our future and build our family together, we have realized there are many daunting challenges that lie ahead. The path to becoming parents seems to be getting further and further away every day. Growing up and picturing my future, I always imagined a life with children of my own, but I never could have imagined the financial pressure that would come along with 2SLGBTQIA+ family planning.

In 2025, it is becoming increasingly difficult for everyone to make ends meet and afford a comfortable living, let alone add family planning into the equation. Not only does having children put financial pressure on individuals, couples, and families who do not require additional fertility support, but the cost of assisted human reproduction creates a further financial barrier for 2SLGBTQIA+ persons (as well as others requiring fertility support) that can at times seem insurmountable.

I don’t know when—or even if—my partner and I will become parents, but I remain hopeful that we can make it happen someday, despite all the challenges we will face along the way.

In sharing my experience, thoughts and fears, I hope that others who have similar stories and worries will feel less alone in their journey. There is a certain inaccessibility to fertility support for people that do not have the financial means. I hope for a future with increased accessibility to fertility support and that the pressures associated with 2SLGBTQIA+ family building are alleviated.

💚 Sponsored in part by First Response Canada.

This 1 in 6 story is proudly supported by First Response Canada, whose commitment to fertility awareness and education helps us amplify real voices and real journeys. Together, we are changing the conversation around fertility in Canada—one story at a time.