Free Mom Hugs
In 2013 my daughter, Rachel, came out, I was and still am supportive of her but in the early days I found very little support from friends and family for myself. There were few people I trusted enough to confide in them during the early days of this new journey. I wanted support for Rachel for but myself as well. There were many times I wanted to talk to someone, reassurance I was getting things right or if I could improve somewhere, someone who had already been through this journey and could support me as I learned this new world. Looking back, I felt isolated and very much alone.
Then I read about Sara Cunningham and her journey, her struggles, and her conquests. Sara is a mom of a queer child and she is a Christian. Her religious beliefs were in conflict with the LGBTQ+ community and she struggled, searched for the answers, and struggled some more. Her story is inspiring and amazing. She wrote a book, “How We Sleep at NIght.”
During her struggle of accepting her child for who they ewre, she found herself at a Pride Parade in Oklahoma holding a homemade sign that simply stated “Free Mom Hugs.” Sara tapped into something in herself and sparking a light in others as complete strangers approached her and asked for a hug. Unbeknownst to Sara, she created a movement of moms, dads, uncles, aunts, and more who were ready to step up and hug it out.
Sara created the nonprofit organization “Free Mom Hugs.” This organization have volunteers who are trained to attend LGBTQ+ events ready to hug and support members of this minority community. If there are protesters, these volunteers go frontline, offering hugs to the protesters. It is one of the first organizations I joined and felt so much genuine support and warmth for the LGBTQ+ community and for myself as an ally. I was amazed as I wore my Free Mom Hugs button and attended my first River City Pride Event in Evansville, Indiana June, 2019. As I walked to the event, a young lady looked at me and smiled. I returned the smile and said hello to her. She struck up a conversation and then quietly asked for a hug. I was shocked and thrilled and eagerly embraced this young person with the biggest mom hug I could bring up from my very own soul. I believe it nourished my soul more than hers. We parted ways but I have never forgotten this first hug request.
Follow the link: https://freemomhugs.org
