Cheri Pies, a trailblazer in the realm of queer parenting, passed away at the age of 73, leaving behind a legacy that transformed the landscape for LGBTQ families. Revered for her influential 1985 book, “Considering Parenthood: A Workbook for Lesbians,” Pies became a beacon of hope for lesbian parents seeking guidance. She recognized the dearth of resources available to them and took it upon herself to bring about change.
Lori Dorfman, adjunct professor of health and social behavior at UC Berkeley School of Public Health, commended Pies for her groundbreaking work. “Because of Cheri’s work, there was a critical mass of people saying ‘Yes, we can have the family we want,” said Dorfman to Berkeleyside. Pies’ book, filled with valuable insights, opened doors for lesbian couples embarking on parenthood while being openly gay.
Before publishing her seminal work, Pies conducted workshops for lesbian parents from her home in Oakland, California. As her reputation grew, she began receiving inquiries from gay women across the nation, seeking her assistance. This led her to convert her expertise into a book, which furthered her reach and impact.
Jill Rose, who attended Pies’ workshops in the 1980s, credits her guidance for helping her and her partner find a sperm donor and successfully have a child. “Her group gave us the structure, and knowledge about what steps to take,” Rose recalled. “We didn’t know many people at that point who were doing it, so it was really important to find somebody we could ask questions of.”
Cheri Pies’ influence extended beyond her work on lesbian parenting. As a clinical professor at UC Berkeley School of Public Health, she co-created and led the Best Babies Zone Initiative, an innovative program focused on studying and enhancing health conditions in struggling neighborhoods. Pies emphasized the importance of healthy babies as indicators of community well-being.
However, above all else, Cheri Pies will be most fondly remembered for the countless babies whose lives were touched by her work. Her wife, Melina Linder, recounted how people would express their gratitude to Pies, attributing the presence of their children to her guidance. As Professor Dorfman aptly put it, “There are people walking the earth because of Cheri Pies.”