David Crosby passed away in January 2023. While most people remember him for his musical talent, he was also a sperm donor and provided the opportunity for many families to have children. Melissa Etheridge, for example, has children Bailey and Beckett through Crosby’s legal sperm donation. Crosby and Etheridge were close friends, and she’s now opening up about more of his life and the difference his donation made through helping her have a family.

At the time, Etheridge was with her now ex, Julie Cypher, who had been adopted and they wanted to make sure their children knew their father. That ruled out going to a sperm bank, but Etheridge also didn’t want to choose someone who was desperate to be a dad or needed to have a relationship with the children. Crosby was perfect for that role because of his experience of needing help to have children of his own with his wife.

He took on and openly admitted to his sperm donor role, but stayed out of Etheridge’s and Cypher’s raising of their family, which worked out well for everyone involved. Crosby donated sperm for several other children, as well, and now that it’s much easier to test DNA and find familiar connections, it’s becoming clear that there are more children out there. He also has children with his wife Jan, who encouraged him to donate and help others create families of their own.

Etheridge mourned Crosby’s passing, and thanked him for providing her with “the gift of family.” Her daughter Bailey is still living, while her son Beckett passed away in 2020 from an opioid overdose. Crosby’s legacy will live on in the music he created and the families he helped start or grow through sperm donation. While he didn’t talk openly about how many donations he made over the years, Etheridge says “We’re still finding kids” through more of them coming forward.

It’s clear that Crosby cared deeply for family and wanted to see more people have children that they could love and cherish. He was able to pay it forward after he and his wife received fertility help, and it was an ongoing part of his focus throughout his life.

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