Kaitlin Geiger-Bardswich

Kaitlin knows firsthand what it’s like to experience infertility and pregnancy loss as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. After conceiving identical twins through reciprocal IVF with her wife, she miscarried just before the 12-week “safe zone.” Since then, she’s become a strong advocate against the stigma of discussing early pregnancy and miscarriage. She has written about her journey for CBC’s First Person and is committed to advocating for better fertility care nationwide. She is working on a book about infertility and loss from a queer perspective.

Professionally, Kaitlin is the Director of Communications, Development, and Grants at Women’s Shelters Canada, a national non-profit that supports over 600 domestic violence shelters across the country. She was previously on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity. She regularly appears in the news speaking about gender-based violence. She has also worked as a freelance journalist, writing articles and producing short videos around the world on such issues as 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, women’s rights, refugee issues, and environmental causes.

She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Toronto and a Master of Science in Human Rights from the London School of Economics. She lives in Ottawa with her wife and loveable goof of a poodle.