Rami Aizic ’96 (Los Angeles, MA) has recently published a courageous and heartfelt memoir, My Dream of Fatherhood: An Unconventional Journey (Franklin Publishers). In it, Aizic opens up about the challenges he faced as a gay man in the 1980s and 1990s, when the idea of men like him pursuing parenthood—let alone biological fatherhood—was virtually unheard of. Despite the societal barriers and stigma of the time, Rami’s story is one of unwavering determination, grit, and, ultimately, success in achieving his dream of becoming a father. His memoir speaks to the universal desire for family, love, and acceptance, inspiring readers to chase their dreams, no matter the odds, and to persist in the face of adversity.
“When I was growing up, society shunned gay men for wanting to have children, especially those considering having a biological child they would raise themselves. Despite that, I set myself a goal of having a child,” said Aizic. “Pursuing my dream meant that I would have to disclose that I was gay, which did, in some cases, lead to disappointing outcomes. Chasing down women who were identified in some way as possibly willing to have a child with me was, at times, embarrassing and, at other times, downright deflating. Still, I had to carry on. We can all find ways to do this—sometimes alone, sometimes with others. What is most important, in my opinion, is not to give up. I ventured out of my comfort zone to share my personal story so that others might find some solace and support in their own struggles, regardless of what they might be.”
After graduating from the University of Toronto with a bachelor’s degree in English literature and criminology, Aizic went on to Leeds University Law School. After years of practicing law, he became aware of the lack of professional satisfaction he was experiencing and returned to graduate school to obtain his master’s in psychology at Antioch University, as well as his Marriage and Family Therapy credential. He has lived in Israel, Toronto, England, and Los Angeles, which he believes has offered him the opportunity to experience, first-hand, diverse cultures and differing attitudes toward a myriad of life’s issues. He brings all of this with him to the therapy room.
