Guiding Values

DC.IC’s approach is inspired by the 10 Principles of Disability Justice. DC.IC aims to protect the wellbeing of all DCP who participate in our programming, and all people who may be impacted by our work.

If you or your organization would like to request a donor-conceived contributor for a project, event, study, or piece of media, please review these guidelines.

Highlighted text shows guidelines for requesters. Colored boxes share DC.IC’s personal stances.
Feedback is welcome through the blue Feedback button on this page or the Contact page.

1. Intersectionality

Eligible projects will not promote prejudice or discrimination at any level, including within the below areas.

Donor conception overlaps with many equity and justice issues. DC.IC aims to support our shared goals and interests with other activist movements. This includes, but is not limited to (the examples in parentheses)

a. racial equity (we oppose the use of slurs, stereotypes, and tokenization to recruit describe donors)
b. LGBTQIA+ rights (we oppose restricting IVF access to heterosexual, cisgender couples)
c. disability and economic justice (we oppose “negative eugenics” that target working-class & disabled people)
d. reproductive justice (we support consumer protections without legally jeopardizing diverse family structures)
e. sovereignty for Indigenous peoples globally (we support Indigenous-led projects and goals)

2. Leadership by Those Most Impacted

Eligible projects prioritize the wellbeing of DCP over the desires of parents, donors, and industry.

To participate, you don’t need to: 1) live in the US; 2) be in touch with donor(s)/relatives; 3) feel connected to heritage or confident about identity; 4) look non-white; or 5) be BIPOC/multiracial “enough” (we don’t support blood quantum.)

At the same time, DC.IC aims to prioritize voices with the least privilege. When we make decisions or develop resources, we seek the lived expertise of people impacted by:

colorism,
impoverishment, incarceration, and survival sex work
discrimination against LGBTQIA+ and intersex people
colonization and harms to the environment
ableism… and more.

“Nothing about us without us.” When stories are taboo or stigmatized, it’s even more important they be told.

3. Donor Conception Can Affect the Whole Person

…Including our identities, relationships, health, finances, spirituality, and more.

Family-building institutions, recipient parents, and donors typically make decisions together that can deeply shape a DCP’s ability to self-determine their own life.

DCP don’t consent to these choices, but we can still be impacted in ways that are 1) holistic, 2) lifelong, and 3) intergenerational (DCP have kids, too!)

4. Pay It Forward to Those Most Impacted

If your project or organization generates revenue, we ask that you mark your project budget to compensate any DCP contributors.

Our resources and programming will always be free of cost for DCP.

When we charge (such as professional licensing for printable resources), a percentage of all proceeds will be kept in a mutual aid fund. DCP can make requests from the fund to cover survival costs or expenses related to donor conception, like therapy sessions or a trip to meet siblings.