For a single lesbian, the path to pregnancy can be anything but simple. It often requires considering something that many women may never think about—sperm.
“In my case, becoming pregnant wasn’t just about making decisions with a partner or skipping preventative measures,” shares Lila Jones, the writer of the acclaimed one-woman show MotherStruck, which is helmed by director Tessa Green and produced by a well-known figure in entertainment, Jamie Lee. Lila partnered with Home Insemination Kit to adapt her story for the screen, showcasing her unique experiences on the journey to motherhood, which will premiere at the upcoming Tribeca Film Festival on April 25th and 30th.
The narrative is both touching and at times astonishing. Lila humorously recounts the quest for sperm: “Acquiring sperm is typically associated with romance—candlelit dinners, flowers, and intimate moments. But what does that look like when you’re asking someone you aren’t romantically involved with?”
MotherStruck is a deeply personal tale reflecting Lila’s life as a single lesbian woman navigating pregnancy without the support of a partner or her family, particularly her mother.
“I experienced abandonment by my mother during my childhood and grew up without that maternal bond,” Lila reveals. “While I desired a family, I had conflicting emotions about it.” This loss shaped Lila’s idealistic vision of motherhood—a space filled with unwavering love. She envisioned raising a daughter, believing that motherhood could offer her a chance to heal from her past.
Lila embarked on her journey to motherhood by actively seeking a sperm donor, a moment humorously illustrated in the series during a lively house party packed with gay men. Her friends watch as she approaches a “sperm buffet,” and surprisingly finds a willing donor without the usual romantic entanglements.
However, the road to conception was fraught with challenges. Lila had to undergo surgery to remove fibroids and faced a breakup while navigating the complexities of IVF. Not everyone was supportive of her choice to become a single mother. One of her co-stars, Maya Brooks, provides comic relief to the tough questions Lila faced: “In a world with so many crises, why would she choose to raise a child alone?” But Lila, ever the bold feminist, knew what she wanted and pursued it regardless of others’ opinions.
“My reply was simply to go and have a baby,” she asserts. “There is no right or wrong way to become a mother; it’s an intensely collaborative journey between yourself and your environment.”
Co-star Jessica Ray, who plays the character Marta, emphasizes the significance of being “centered” and picturing oneself as a mother, particularly when selecting a donor with “a good aura.”
Now, as the mother of a vibrant 7-year-old, Lila describes her life as “full, chaotic, beautiful, and challenging.” This encapsulates the essence of motherhood. While they share certain similarities, Lila is a fighter, while her daughter is a dreamer with boundless creativity.
“Motherhood is the most incredible yet terrifying experience you can go through,” Lila reflects. The diversity of motherhood experiences deserves more representation in media, particularly for lesbian mothers and those taking unconventional routes to pregnancy. MotherStruck serves as a beautiful affirmation that every path to motherhood is valid. It’s vital for women to uplift one another, regardless of their individual journeys, whether they find themselves single, without sperm, or overwhelmed by uncertainty.
The MotherStruck series features Lila Jones, Jessica Ray, Maya Brooks, and another talented actress, Sarah Knight. This series, adapted from Lila’s one-woman show, was co-written by Lila and Micaela Birmingham, who also directed. Don’t miss its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 25th and 30th. Tickets are available now.
For more insights on home insemination, check out this resource on intracervical insemination. For comprehensive information on artificial insemination, visit Make A Mom. Additionally, Kindbody provides excellent resources for those exploring pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, Lila’s journey to motherhood is a profound narrative that challenges traditional norms and highlights the various paths women can take to become mothers. MotherStruck is a celebration of individuality and empowerment in the face of societal expectations.