What does getting arrested in broad daylight have to do with building a family? More than you’d think—especially in 2025, when the rules of life, love, and parenthood feel more up for debate than the latest TikTok dance craze.
Let’s set the scene: You’re scrolling through your feed, maybe eating a questionable salad, when you see it—a news flash about New York City mayoral candidate Brad Lander being whisked away by masked ICE agents right outside an immigration court in Manhattan. (Yes, this happened. Watch it here if you missed it.)
You might think, “Crazy politics, but what’s this got to do with me, my fertility chart, and that growing stash of ovulation test sticks?”
Oh, friend. Sit tight. Because this headline is about so much more than politics—it’s about the freedom to shape your own destiny, family included.
When ‘Family’ and ‘Freedom’ Collide on the Sidewalk
There’s something jarring about seeing a public figure—someone running for office to represent his neighbors—arrested for simply escorting someone out of court. It’s a reminder: freedom, even in the land of “do your thing,” isn’t always guaranteed. And if you’re on a non-traditional family building journey, you know this better than most.
Whether you’re single and ready to parent, partnered in any combination of genders, or facing medical realities, there’s often more bureaucracy than biology standing in your way. It’s the “You want to do what with a donor?” or the “Sorry, insurance won’t cover that” or—the crowd favorite—“That’s not how babies are supposed to be made!”
But here’s the twist: just like Lander standing up for someone’s rights, every one of us in the fertility community is standing up for our own right to assemble a family. Sometimes it’s in a courtroom; sometimes it’s in your own living room, surrounded by test strips and hope.
The Secret Citizenship Test: Who Gets To Build Their Family?
Let’s talk about the not-so-visible walls:
- Medical gatekeeping: Try asking a GP about home insemination if you’re not a picture-perfect “heterosexual married couple.”
- Pricey processes: The price tag on assisted reproduction reads more like a luxury car catalog than a starter family budget.
- Societal judging eyes: Everyone from Aunt Linda to comment section trolls has an opinion on your uterus—or lack thereof.
But here’s why 2025 is a little different. More people are saying “enough”—they’re sidestepping red tape, leaning on community, and embracing solutions that (dare we say it) put the power back in your hands. Sometimes literally.
DIY Family: The Quiet Revolution You Haven’t Noticed
Now, before you picture some dystopian fertility Hunger Games, let’s talk about the real winners here: anyone who’s ever dreamed of starting a family without a court petition, $40,000, or a medical degree.
That’s where companies like MakeAMom quietly come in. You might know them as “the folks with the surprisingly discreet brown boxes.” But here’s what they really are: proof that reproductive freedom doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank or breaking the law.
From reusable insemination kits that fit every situation (frozen sperm, low motility, even vaginismus—yep, they thought of everything) to straightforward guides and real success stories, they’re part of a new wave. It’s not just about sperm meets egg. It’s about choice meeting access. They’re even reporting a wild 67% average success rate—so apparently, science and patience do mix.
And if you’re worried about your package outing you as a progressive parent-in-training? No worries. Their shipping is stealthier than a spy mission. Your secret is safe, even from nosy neighbors named Karen.
The Power (and Peril) of Community in 2025
Back to our viral mayoral candidate for a second. Why was Brad Lander at that immigration court? He was there for someone else—because sometimes the road to justice, parenthood, or just-being-human gets smoother with a little backup.
Your fertility journey might not make the evening news, but here’s the deal: you do not have to go it alone.
- Share your stories. Someone needs to hear them.
- Ask the awkward questions. Someone else has them too.
- Lean on resources (from friends to online forums to, ahem, companies that ship discreet boxes)
Because every time you speak up, stick up for yourself, or support someone else, you’re chipping away at those invisible barriers—same as any freedom fighter (just with less jail time, ideally).
So, What Now?
If seeing someone arrested for standing up for another person makes you squirm, let it be a reminder that showing up matters—even when it’s uncomfortable. If you’re braving the wild world of family making, you’re already a champion of your own story.
The freedom to build a family isn’t just about biology. It’s about access. It’s about dignity. It’s about having options—even ones you can assemble right at home while your favorite playlist hums in the background.
So, what’s your story? Who’s been your freedom fighter—or have you been one for someone else? Drop your thoughts below, share this with a friend who needs it, and remember: you’re part of a community that gets it, and gets you.
Let’s keep building. Together.