Free Mom Hugs — the humble, homegrown LGBTQ+ advocacy group — has come a long way since Sara Cunningham attended Oklahoma City Pride wearing a button that offered marchers and attendees a “free” motherly embrace.
Cunningham says she knew firsthand that many in the LGBTQ+ community had been rejected by their parents.
For years, she’d been in denial about her own son’s sexuality.
“It’s been four years since I got a hug from my mom because I’m a lesbian,” whispered the first “beautiful girl” to get a hug from Cunningham, who embraced hundreds of parade goers that day, many in tears.
Cunningham’s free mom hugs caught fire, with moms across the country attending Pride celebrations with the same offer the Oklahoman made that day in OKC: Bring it in for a “free mom hug.”
Chapters of the group are now in every state of the union.
Earlier this month, moms from across the country gathered in Grapevine, Texas near Dallas to celebrate their success with a second annual “Love Revolution” Free Mom Hugs conference. There, attendees spoke about the best ways to fulfill their mission to support their own children and those who’ve been abandoned by their parents.
Along with their membership — now over 37,000 strong — the nonprofit has grown rapidly and offers participants an armload of ways to accomplish their mission, from enlisting members to spread the Free Mom Hugs message at corporations, churches, sporting events, schools, and universities, to peaceful demonstrations for LGBTQ+ rights and providing resources for individuals and families in need.
They also collaborate on local and national initiatives with other advocacy organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, PFLAG and The Trevor Project.
The group’s Instagram is full of informative posts for queer and trans youth, shout-outs from state chapters, “need to know” news updates, and shared opportunities like a $10K LGBTQ+ Changemaker Youth Grant from itgetsbetter.org.
On their website, the group shares resources like “Executive Orders Explained,” lists of recommended articles, books for parents, trans kids, and faith-based reading materials, plus links to allied supporting organizations like The Real Mama Bears, GLSEN and TransFamily Support Services.
“Allies are essential to the Free Mom Hugs mission and to helping members of LGBTQIA+ communities feel welcome and affirmed where they live,” the group says. “Advocating for and encouraging members of local LGBTQIA+ communities shows the world that everyone belongs and matters.”