Memorable Messages in Response to Queer Miscarriage Disclosure: How Dominant Discourses About Reproductive Health Shape and Silence

In the current study, grounded in the theory of memorable messages (ToMM), we explored the memorable messages queer individuals receive regarding their miscarriage. Although miscarriage is relatively common, it is stigmatized and often silenced; and queer individuals have an added layer of silencing grounded in heteronormative expectations of reproductive health. We conducted interviews with 17 queer individuals who had experienced miscarriage. Our analyses uncovered six types of memorable messages participants received after their disclosure of a miscarriage – unhelpful, comfort, grieving together, shared loss, discrimination, and medical. These messages aligned with and/or disrupted three dominant discourses about miscarriage – miscarriage is an unsubstantial loss, and miscarriage should not be discussed. These findings advance scholarly understanding of reproductive loss by offering unique perspectives from the queer experience and contribute to the refinement of the ToMM. Practical applications are offered for providing support for all who miscarry, particularly for queer individuals and couples.