That’s a really good question #6 – How do I start a GSA?

Tags

bullying, clubs, Gender, glsen, GSA, School, sexual orientation, students, Support, Youth

Serendipitydodah – Home of the Mama Bears is one of the Mama Bears private Facebook groups for moms of LGBTQ kids. This series addresses common questions that often get asked by members of the group. Mama Bears is a whole network of groups, projects, resources and websites dedicated to supporting, educating and empowering moms of LGBTQ kids and the LGBTQ community.

GSA clubs are powerful tools that can transform schools and make them safer and more welcoming for LGBTQ youth, youth with LGBTQ parents, and straight allies. Moms of LGBTQ kids often ask how to start a GSA at their LGBTQ kid’s local middle or high school because research has shown that LGBTQ students hear fewer homophobic slurs, experience less harassment, have better attendance, and feel safer at schools that have GSAs.

The first thing to note is that GSAs or Genders & Sexualities Alliances (formally known as Gay Straight Alliances), are student-led and student-organized school clubs that aim to create a safe, welcoming, and accepting school environment for all youth, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Typically only students can start GSAs.

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The three typical functions of a GSA is to support students, build community and create change.

GSAs function as a support group and provide safety and confidentiality to students who are LGBTQ as well as those who are experiencing harassment at school because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. These groups often provide one of the few safe spaces for students to express themselves.

GSAs are also social groups. They provide a sense of community and a space for LGBTQ and allied youth to build a social network where their identities are respected. Lots of GSAs organize barbecues or movie nights, organize field trips to a local LGBTQ prom or Pride parade, and attend conferences together. GSAs are a great way to build community at your school and lessen the isolation that LGBTQ+ students might otherwise experience.

In addition to providing support and community GSAs often effect change by allowing LGBTQ and straight students to work together to take on issues that affect all students, including harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. 

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Starting a Gay/Straight Alliance

Here are the basic steps a student should take to start a GSA at their school. Chances are they’ll be able to start a GSA with no problems – after all, over 4,000 GSAs already exist in every state in the nation. Sometimes, though, administrators, parents, or other students try to stand in the way of GSAs. In case that happens we’re including information on how to handle opposition.

1. Be able to explain why you want to start a GSA. Some of the people you have to talk to along the way may ask you why you want to start a GSA. That’s not a bad question to ask yourself. Under the law, you don’t have to have a reason to start any non-curricular club. But it’s important to be able to explain your reasons for wanting a GSA. Is anti-gay harassment a problem at your school? Do LGBTQ+ students or allies want a safe, supportive space where they can be themselves? Those are both really good reasons to start a GSA.

2. Follow guidelines for setting up a club. Starting a GSA is just like starting any other school club. Get a copy of your student handbook, and look up your school’s requirements for student organizations so that you can be sure to follow the rules carefully. If it’s not in the student handbook, ask an administrator, guidance counselor, or the faculty sponsor of an existing club what steps are required to start a club. You most likely will need to find a faculty member to sponsor the club or write a constitution or mission statement. Be sure to do everything you’re supposed to do according to the school’s rules.

3. Find a sponsor. Most schools require that clubs have a faculty member as a sponsor. However, even if your school doesn’t require one, it’s not a bad idea to have one. Ask a teacher, counselor or librarian who has shown themselves to be supportive of LGBTQ+ students to be the advisor or sponsor for your GSA. A sponsor can help with things like writing a constitution and explaining why you want to start a GSA to others. Keep in mind that if your school isn’t very friendly to the idea of a GSA, some teachers who want to help may be more comfortable doing so in a more behind-the-scenes way.

4. Talk to your school principal or assistant principal and let them know that you plan to start a GSA. A supportive administrator can really help you move things along, and if they are not supportive, then at least you’ll know where you stand, which will help you figure out what to do next. If the principal or assistant principal says a GSA won’t be allowed, ask why so that you can prepare yourself to address their concerns. Be prepared to say that preventing a GSA from forming is against the law under the federal Equal Access Act if other non curricular clubs have been allowed. Be respectful and don’t get into a big fight about it in your initial meeting, but make notes of the reasons given for denial. You can take the time to respond to their arguments at a later date. See “Common Arguments Against GSAs and Why They’re Wrong” listed below if you are told you cannot start a GSA at your school.

5. Write a goal for your GSA. With the help of your sponsor, write a mission statement outlining what your GSA will and will not be. This can make it clear whether the GSA will be a club that will only be a safe space, or whether the club might get involved in activist events. Make sure to include that the GSA is all inclusive and non-discriminatory. Be sure to mention that it is for the purposes of peer education and support. Outline the type of activities you hope to have, as well as the reason a GSA will be an asset to the school and community as a whole.

6. Inform guidance counselors and social workers about the group. These individuals may know students who would be interested in joining.

7. Pick a meeting place. You may want to find a meeting place that offers some level of privacy or confidentiality. A high-profile meeting place may discourage reluctant participants.

8. Advertise. Figure out the best way to advertise at your school. It may be a combination of school bulletin announcements, fliers and word of mouth. If your fliers are defaced or torn down, don’t be discouraged! Keep putting them back up. Posting fliers with words like “end homophobia” or “discuss sexual orientation” can help raise awareness and can make other students feel safer even if they never attend a single meeting.

9. Get food. It really does help to get people to come to your meetings. People are more inclined to come to meetings when you provide food.

10. Hold your meeting. You may want to start out with a discussion about why people think the group is important. You can also brainstorm things your club would like to do.

11. Establish ground rules. Many groups create ground rules to ensure that group discussions are safe, confidential and respectful. Many groups adopt a rule that no assumptions or labels are used about a group member’s sexual orientation. This can help make straight allies feel comfortable about attending the club.

12. Plan for the future and register your club with the GSA network in your state. Develop an action plan. Brainstorm activities. Set goals for what you want to accomplish. Contact GLSEN or the GSA Network (for students in California) to connect with other GSAs in your state and learn about ways to get involved.

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Common Arguments Against GSAs and Why They’re Wrong

“We can’t let our students have a club that’s about sex.”

GSAs are NOT about sex. GSAs are about valuing all people regardless of whether they’re gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, or questioning. Like any other club GSAs offer students with a common interest a chance to connect and give students a respite from the day-to-day grind of school. They’re about creating a supportive space where students can be themselves without fear and making schools safer for all students by promoting respect for everyone. A GSA meeting is no more about sex than the homecoming dance or any other school-sponsored activity. And several federal courts have ruled in favor of GSAs when schools have used this as an excuse to try to stop them from forming.

“We can’t let outsiders come in and start this kind of club in our school.”

Outsiders don’t form GSAs. GSAs are started and led by students. While there are a couple of organizations that have tried to create contact lists or loose coalitions of the over 4,000 GSA clubs across the country, GSAs aren’t chapters of some larger organization. There is no big conspiracy out there trying to get its hands on the youth of America. And according to the federal Equal Access Act, students can start any kind of non-curricular club at their schools that they want.

“It’s just too controversial.”

Sure, a GSA may be controversial, but it’s illegal for schools to use that as excuse to silence them. If other students, parents, or community members are in an uproar over a GSA, the school’s responsibility is to address those people’s concerns, not shut down a group that is peacefully doing its thing just because some people don’t like it. Besides, when a GSA becomes a point of contention in a community, it really only proves the need for the GSA to exist in the first place. And again, several federal courts have ruled in favor of GSAs when schools have used this as an excuse to try to stop them from forming.

“If we let students start a GSA, then we’d have to let students form any other kind of club they want. What if they wanted to start a KKK club?”

If a club’s purpose is to harass or intimidate other students, then the club is disruptive to the educational process and the school can stop it from forming, so this kind of argument doesn’t work. Letting students start a GSA doesn’t mean all sorts of other crazy clubs are going to materialize out of thin air.

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Ideas To Find New Members

Advertise your group, meetings, and activities! This can be through posters, word-of mouth and social media. Set up a table during lunch or at a club fair to share information about your group. Write an editorial or letter to the editor in your school newspaper and share it with those who make the daily school announcements too.

Bring-A-Friend Day. Every member brings one friend to a meeting.

Invite a guest speaker. Invite someone from a community group (Time Out Youth, PFLAG, ACLU, etc.), a local activist, or someone who does work in a related area.

Club Share. Build coalitions with other student clubs at your school by attending their meetings and partnering on future projects/activities.

Movies! Screen a movie with an LGBTQ theme.

Provide snacks. Everyone loves free food! It is a great way to get more people to your meetings.

Special Events! Plan special events. Have a Halloween themed event, a spirit day or a thanksgiving potluck. Once your club is going ask your members for ideas for fun themes.

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GLSEN, ACLU and Time Out Youth were resources used for this post.

Tips For LGBTQ Allies

Tags

ally, education, Inclusion, Justice, LGBT, LGBTQ, Pride, Support

It’s Pride month – a great time for those of us who are not an LGBTQ person to think about what it means to be a good ally of LGBTQ people.

I’ve been on this journey for quite a while now. I’ve spent a lot of time listening to LGBTQ people about what they need and want from those of us who are straight and want to stand with them and for them. The tips I will share come from listening and learning from LGBTQ people. These are not exhaustive. I’m sure that someone could come up with more. However, these are what I consider to be some of the most important things to strive for if you want to be a good ally.

Before I share some tips I want to point out that there isn’t complete agreement about anything within the LGBTQ community. The LGBTQ community is large and diverse, and there are different opinions and ideas about everything. However, if you listen long enough and well enough, you will find that there is an opinion that most LGBTQ people have about many things, including what it means to be a good ally. My advice about situations where there is not a consensus, is to listen to everyone, don’t argue with anyone, but go along with what the majority of the LGBTQ community is embracing and saying.

Now for some tips …

(1) Be a good listener. One of the best things you can do to become a good ally is to listen to LGBTQ people – listen to their stories, listen to their concerns, listen to their opinions. I spent the first year after my son came out just listening and learning from LGBTQ people before I started speaking out or trying to help others. It takes a while to start to see through the eyes of those we want to advocate for and being a good listener is one of the best ways to begin to understand what LGBTQ people need and want from their allies.

(2) Be open-minded. If you are open minded you will be able to grow into a much better ally in a much shorter period of time. Don’t be afraid to let go of your preconceived ideas. Come to the conversation as if you have no ideas about LGBTQ people or what it means to be a good ally. Be ready to admit you don’t know or that you are wrong. Be honest about what you don’t know and be ready to learn. Those who are intentionally open minded end up making the best allies.

(3) Be inclusive and invite LGBTQ friends to hang out with you and your friends and family. Be intentional about it. Make connections and build relationships. Include LGBTQ people in your real life. Invite them to your home, include them in special occasions, include them when you go out to dinner with friends or to see a movie. The best allies are better known as “friends”

(4) Speak up if anti-LGBT comments or jokes are made – even if the intent is not malicious. Let your friends, family and co-workers know that those things are inappropriate and offensive. Be prepared in advance as to how you will gently, but firmly, confront inappropriate and offensive comments or jokes. If you have a plan in place you are more likely to speak up.

(5) Confront your own prejudices and bias, even if it is uncomfortable to do so, and don’t be defensive if someone points out that something you are saying or thinking does not seem supportive. It’s difficult for us to see through each other’s eyes but not impossible. This is where listening and being open minded will really come in handy. One of the hardest things for allies to do is to handle criticism. One of the reasons I think this is the case is because some of the most devoted allies are people who are tender-hearted and tender-hearted people can be easily hurt. However, tender-hearted people can also be very strong and resilient, and those are the qualities that good allies need to lean into. I always say being a good ally is not for the faint-hearted but definitely for the tender-hearted. My friend Rachel Held Evans said her mantra was “tough skin – tender heart” and I think that is a great mantra for those of us who want to be good allies to the LGBTQ community.

(6) Challenge the discrimination of LGBTQ people. Defend LGBTQ people against discrimination. There are many ways to do this. You can do it by supporting organizations, institutions, individuals, laws and political parties that are for LGBTQ inclusion, equality and protections. You can do it by showing up at Pride events and showing your support. You can do it with your vote, your voice, your presence. You can do it on your social media sites and in your community. You can do it when you see any instance of discrimination happening or when any law allowing it to happen is being supported. Being a good ally means defending LGBTQ people against discrimination. This is not an option if you want to be a good ally to the LGBTQ community.

(7) Wholeheartedly embrace the idea that all people, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation, should be treated with dignity and respect. Make it a point to share this belief with others as often as possible. One of the most harmful things that LGBTQ people have to face is the idea that they are less than others. Good allies will make it clear that LGBTQ people do not belong in the margins of society. Good allies will take a strong stand for the full inclusion of LGBTQ people in every way and every instance.

(8) Have a good understanding of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Understand the difference, the language, and the appropriate way to speak and write about the subject. If you make a mistake apologize and learn from the mistake. There seems to always be a new term showing up. If you hear something that is new to you or you don’t understand do your research and learn what you need to know.

(9) Be aware of the coming-out process and realize that it is not a one-time event. If someone comes out to you listen, let them know you are honored that they shared with you and offer your support. Do not ‘out’ a person as LGBTQ to others. Respect people’s privacy and recognize that it should be their decision when and with whom to share their LGBTQ identity.

(10) Educate yourself and continue to educate yourself. There is always more to learn. Keep listening and learning. Keep reading. Keep asking questions. One thing I’ve noticed over the last twelve years is that things change. What was helpful 10 years ago may not be helpful today. The movement for equality, inclusion and protection evolves, language changes, the community grows. In order to be a good ally we have to keep educating ourselves. We can never know everything or too much.

(11) Find ways in your everyday life and in your own community to be a good ally and to advocate for LGBTQ people. Help your children or their friends file complaints about discrimination or harassment at your local school. Help organize events like celebrations for LGBTQ History Month at a local school or community center. Use your privilege to create safe spaces and shine a light on safe places that do exist. Volunteer at a local LGBTQ resource center. Show up at events that support LGBTQ people. Find something that you are good at and use it to support the LGBTQ community.

(12) Be visible. A good ally cannot be silent or invisible. One of the most important parts of being an ally is making yourself known as an ally. Making yourself visible may be as simple as wearing a rainbow bracelet or using inclusive language. It might mean showing up at Pride events or political events with a sign stating your pro-LGBTQ position. “Secretly” and “ally” don’t get to be used together. If you are not uncloseted in your support, you can’t be an ally.

Like I said earlier, this list is not exhaustive so if you have something to add please share a comment.

Thanks for your support – your allyship matters and is making a difference.

Together we can make the world a kinder, safer, more loving place for all LGBTQ people to live.

Mama Bear Story Project #41 – Sara Cunningham

Tags

Free Mom Hugs, LGBT, LGBTQ, Mama Bear Story Project, Mama Bears, Moms of LGBT, Moms of LGBTQ Kids, Story

The Mama Bear Story Project is a collection of portraits and autobiographical essays from members of Serendipitydodah for Moms – Home of the Mama Bears

When I was a child, my mother called me “Goose,” I am certain now more than ever this was because of my natural ability to put my nose into other people’s business. I needed to know what was going on, if everyone was ok, and most importantly when we could all get together again. Community was everything to me then, and it certainly is my focus every day now.

My Journey to becoming an ally began with the words from my child, “Mom I’ve met someone, and I need you to be okay about it.” I didn’t take the news very well, and I said and did some things I regret even to this day.

I had to re-examine my religion as it suggested that I needed to choose between my faith and my child. I discovered, with the help of some others who came alongside me, that what I believed about LGBTQIA+ people came from a few verses in the Bible that had been misinterpreted and misunderstood. From there, my journey went from the church to the local pride parade wearing a homemade button and offering Free Mom Hugs or High Fives.

I wasn’t the first mom to show up at a Pride Parade offering love and hope and hugs, but I did create a non-profit based on that experience. After my post about being a stand-in mom at same-sex weddings went viral; what we have seen has been a movement of love and celebration for the LGBTQIA+ Community.

It has been the most amazing gift dropped in our laps as far as getting the message out to moms, dads, educators, and churches that NOW is the time to get educated, to step out of fear and ignorance and come out of their own closets to speak out on behalf of their children.

But what has been even more beautiful is the community, the connection and healing that is taking place in the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth and adults due to the thousands of compassionate, empowered people who are responding and offering support, birthday cards, words of affirmation, homemade blankets, and other simple but very important small gestures such as referring to a transgender person by their chosen name.

We also recently had a follower on Instagram post about their 11-year-old child who attempted suicide because of intense scrutiny and bullying from family and school. We noticed the post and got our group of “Mama Bears to the Rescue” their address and when the young girl came home from the hospital, she was surprised by dozens of cards, stuffed animals and blankets from Mamas all across the country. These small acts of kindness, this kind of loving presence in the life of that child and her Mama delivered a message of love and hope that was life-changing for them.

This is where we are going Beyond The Hug. We are supporting homeless youth with Free Mom Hugs Hoodies. We are helping our transgender friends fund legal fees for gender name changes, emotional and financial support after top- surgeries; we travel to small-town colleges and encourage their GSA’s. We are educating on behalf of our communities in schools and in the workplace. We are advocating on behalf of mental health awareness, ending workplace discrimination, and putting an end to once and for all the mental abuse that is conversion therapy.

So many young LGBTQIA+ people are hurting from family rejection and rigid religious beliefs. We may not be able to solve most problems – but one thing we can all do is be a loving presence in the life of LGBTQIA+ people. Anyone reading this can send a card, speak words of affirmation, get together with someone for a coffee, give a small gift, use someone’s chosen name, give a hug. These are things we can all do.

My hope is that my journey will inspire all of you to want to be a loving presence in the life of LGBTQIA+ people.

Together I believe we can change the world, so it is a kinder, safer, more loving place for all people to live.

Love wins. Hugs and high fives help too.

Sara Cunningham is a Mama Bear and the Founder, Executive Director & CEO of Free Mom Hugs. Sara has been featured on the Today Show, CNN, and viewed by millions on social media. You can follow Sara and Free Mom Hugs on Facebook and find out more about her message of love and hope by visiting the Free Mom Hugs Website

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Serendipitydodah for Moms is a private Facebook group for moms of LGBTQ kids. The official motto is “Better Together” and the members call themselves “Mama Bears”

The group is private so only members can see who is in the group and what is posted in the group. It was started in June 2014 and presently has more than 4,400 members. For more info about the private Facebook group email lizdyer55@gmail.com

 

Mama Bears to the Rescue

Tags

connection, Friendship, LGBT, LGBTQ, loving presence, Mama Bears, Mama Bears to the Rescue, Moms of LGBTQ Kids, Serendipitydodah, Serendipitydodah for Moms, small acts of kindness, Support

If you or someone you know is an LGBTQ person who is feeling alone and needs some love and encouragement please contact “Serendipitydodah Mama Bears to the Rescue”

Serendipitydodah Mama Bears to the Rescue is a private Facebook group made up exclusively of moms of LGBTQ kids who love, support and affirm their own LGBTQ kids and want to love and support other LGBTQ people who don’t have that kind of support and affirmation in their life.

The focus is small acts of kindness, making personal connections and being a loving presence in the life of LGBTQ people who have lost support due to their LGBTQ status.

The members of Mama Bears to the Rescue do things such as include LGBTQ people who need support in their holiday gatherings, stand in as affirming moms at same sex weddings, send notes of encouragement, find helpful resources, talk on the phone, text, get together for coffee or lunch etc

To connect with the Mama Bears click on the following link and fill out the form:  https://goo.gl/forms/OvjCWfIcBYgVPe883

 

More than 500 moms of lgbtq kids are standing by to support, connect with and care for lgbtq people like Seth Owen

Tags

Ellen DeGeneres, Ellen Show, homeless, Kindness, LGBT, LGBT Youth, LGBTQ, lgbtq youth, Light, love, Mama Bears, moms, Moms of LGBTQ Kids, Seth Owen, small acts of kindness, spread love, Support, The Ellen Show

Jacksonville teenager, Seth Owen, shared his remarkable story with talk show host Ellen DeGeneres Tuesday, completing a journey that has taken him from virtual homelessness to the embrace of the nation.

You can read more about it on The Advocate at this link.

Unfortunately Seth’s story of losing support from his family due to him being gay is far too common and doesn’t always have such a happy ending.

That is why members of  Serendipitydodah for Moms, a private facebook group for moms of lgbtq kids, decided to start Serendipitydodah Mama Bears to the Rescue.

 

Serendipitydodah Mama Bears to the Rescue was started in March 2018. There are currently more than 500 moms of lgbtq kids in the group who are scattered across the country, ready to offer support, connection and care to lgbtq people like Seth Owen, who have lost the support of their family due to their lgbtq status.  Serendipitydodah Mama Bears to the Rescue is a subgroup of Serendipitydodah for Moms, a private facebook group for moms of lgbtq kids.

Members of the group are available to connect with lgbtq people in their local area who need some support, connection or care.

The group is a place where these moms can connect with each other in order to plan and coordinate small acts of kindness such as being a stand-in affirming mom at a wedding, visiting someone in the hospital, helping someone get settled in a new area, providing some transportation, including someone in their holiday gatherings, sending a note of encouragement etc.

The most important thing the members of Mama Bears to the Rescue want to do is be a loving and supportive presence in the life of lgbtq people who have lost the support of their family due to their lgbtq status.

If you know of an lgbtq person who could use some Mama Bear love please email lizdyer55@gmail.com

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Serendipitydodah Mama Bears to the Rescue is a subgroup for Serendipitydodah for Moms. The members of the group are available to do small acts of kindness for lgbtq people in their local community who may need connection, care or assistance.

 

Free Mom Hugs Tour

Tags

#LGBTQFamilies, Free Mom Hugs, Free Mom Hugs Tour, LGBT, LGBTQ, Mama Bears, March, Moms of LGBT, Moms of LGBTQ Kids, Press Release, Serendipitydodah for Moms, Stonewall Inn

I have a private Facebook group for moms of LGBTQ kids. We have more than 1,600 moms in the group. The group was especially created for open minded Christian moms of LGBTQ kids who want to develop and maintain loving, healthy, authentic relationships with their kids. One of the bonuses of the group is that many of the moms become passionate advocates for all LGBTQ people. Sara Cunningham and Laura Beth Taylor are two of those moms! They are both passionate LGBTQ advocates who pour their hearts into working to make the world a kinder, safer place for all LGBTQ people to live and this spring they plan to hit the road and take their love and support for LGBTQ people across the country and they are calling it the “Free Mom Hugs Tour.”

photos by Taylor Elaine

I’m really excited about the Free Mom Hugs Tour that Sara Cunningham and Laura Beth Taylor are putting together!!!

Their adventure will begin in Oklahoma City and end up in New York City on Mother’s Day near the historic Stonewall Inn. Along the way they will stop at 10 cities where they will meet with local community leaders at a planned luncheon to discuss the necessity and value of supporting the LGBTQ community. Following each luncheon they will march through an area of each city with the Free Mom Hugs banner.

The purpose of the tour is to demonstrate what love and support for the LGBTQ community can look like and educate community leaders about the unnecessary risks LGBTQ children, youth and young adults face on a daily basis.

Sara and Laura put out a press release this week and it has lots more details.

Please share it if you can!!

PRESS RELEASE:

Oklahoma City, OK – On May 1, 2017, the first ever “Free Mom Hugs Tour” will launch in Oklahoma City, making its way through 10 cities and wrapping up near the historic Stonewall Inn in New York City on Mother’s Day.

 

The purpose of the Tour is to reassure the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning) community that they are valued and loved, and to raise awareness of their dignity and worth.

 

The Free Mom Hugs Tour is the brainchild of two mothers of LGBTQ children: Sara Cunningham of Oklahoma City and Laura Beth Taylor of Dayton, Tenn. Cunningham, the parent of a gay man and author of How We Sleep at Night, is a well-known advocate for participating in PRIDE events, carrying her “Free Mom Hugs” banner. When she reached out to Taylor, a transwoman who is the parent of LGBTQ children and author of Shattering Masks, the plan took shape.

 

“This isn’t a march; we’re not setting out to protest something, but rather to attest that all people – regardless of the margins in which they find themselves – are deserving of love, dignity and compassion,” Taylor explains. “Our goal is to express that in each city we visit as we encourage others to do so, too. It’s a simple exercise of loving our neighbors,” she adds.

 

Cunningham notes, “Every time I’m out with the banner, I meet more youth and young adults who need reassurance that they are not alone, that there are people who love and support them. I also meet parents who need to be encouraged on their path of loving and accepting their LGBTQ kids. That’s the message we will carry along with our banner.”

 

The event will include a luncheon for civic and faith leaders in each community along the Tour, followed by carrying the Free Mom Hugs banner through an area. Cities on the Tour include May 1 – Oklahoma City, Okla.; May 2 – Tulsa, Okla.; May 4 – Kansas City, Mo.; May 5 — St. Louis, Mo.; May 6 – Indianapolis, Ind.; May 8 – Cincinnati, Ohio; May 9 – Columbus, Ohio; May 11 – Pittsburgh, Pa.; and May 13 – Philadelphia, Pa. The Tour culminates in New York City on May 14, which is Mother’s Day, near the historic Stonewall Inn, considered by many to be the birthplace of the LGBTQ equality movement. Subsequent annual Tours will conclude on Mother’s Day at other landmarks significant in the history of the LGBTQ equality movement.

 

The overall rate of homelessness and suicide in the LGBTQ community is nearly 10 times the rate of the general population, according to the CDC. Furthermore, it is estimated that 25 percent of LGBTQ youth who come out in religious circles are immediately turned away by their families. The Free Mom Hugs Tour will demonstrate what love and support can look like and educate community leaders about the unnecessary risks LGBTQ children, youth and young adults face on a daily basis.

 

For more information:

Sara Cunningham sara@sophiasojourn.com 405-473-2913

 

Laura Beth Taylor laurabeth@sophiasojourn.com 817-676-2739

 

To donate: www.gofundme.com/fmht17

Stories That Change The World #31 – Jen Hatmaker is changing the world!

Tags

#LGBTQFamilies, Christian, church, Jen Hatmaker, LGBT, Moms of LGBT, Moms of LGBTQ Kids, Same Sex Marriage, Stories That Change The World, Story

Stories have the power to change the world … they inspire us, teach us, connect us. This is the thirty-first installment in the “Stories That Change The World” series.

I have a large private Facebook group for moms of LGBTQ+ kids. We have more than 1,400 moms in the group and we continue to grow. The group, Serendipitydodah for Moms, is a place where the members share a lot of support and information.

One thing that is often discussed in the group is the pain and sorrow over the way that many Christian leaders speak and write about LGBTQ people and those of us who love and support them.

We know the pain of being rejected, shunned and misjudged.

So, when someone like Jen Hatmaker comes out and says she believes a same sex marriage can be holy, she would attend a gay wedding with gladness and she believes the church should welcome gay couples, we are VERY encouraged to say the least … so, today we sent the following letter to Jen to express our support and gratitude … because we believe people like her are changing the world!

Dear Jen,

We are members of a large private Facebook group for Christian moms of LGBTQ kids.

More than 400 of us are signing this letter to express our support and gratitude. We want you to know we have been encouraged by your brave stand for grace and love; and we commend you for being a Christian leader seeking to follow Christ’s example of radical love and inclusion.

Many of us have left our local faith communities because we no longer found them to be safe places for our family. Hearing about Christian leaders such as yourself gives us hope about the future for our families.

We understand how difficult it can be to take an affirming and inclusive position such as you have taken. We have firsthand experience regarding the cost of taking such a stand. We were disappointed and saddened to hear that LifeWay made the decision to no longer sell your books, but many of us plan to show our support by purchasing your books from other outlets. We appreciate the risk you are taking and are praying that God will protect, strengthen, guide and bless you.

We believe that the inclusiveness and acceptance of ALL God’s children reflects the idea that Paul put forth in Galatians 5:6 when he wrote “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” and are hopeful that other Christian leaders will follow your example of living a life of faith expressing itself through love.

We believe that people like you are helping change the world into a kinder, safer, more loving place for all LGBTQ people to live and for that we are forever grateful.

May God keep you and bless you abundantly!

With sincere gratitude and affection,

Liz Dyer, Founder & Owner
Abby De Fiesta Cortez
Adele Berardi
Alecia Moss
Aletheia Wall Zambesi
Alise D Chaffins
Alison Defrese
Allena Brown
Amanda Corry Thorderson
Amanda Curtis Dwyer
Amanda Dalton
Amy Goad
Amy Hansley Bennett
Amy Rueter
Andrea Larson Schultz
Angie Laws
Angie Silver
Angie Stratz Ashmore
Anita Jewell Carter Cockrum
Ann McGee Green
Ann Zweckbronner
Arlene Schulz
Barb Cressy
Becky Cantrall
Beth Barndt Ruthenburg
Beth Breems
Beth McGill-Rizer
Bethany Kirwen
Betsy Bruce Henning
Billie Jo Marrs
Bonnie Miranda
Brenda Holloway Bratcher
Bridget Murphy
Candace Winters
Carie Poynor Downes
Carla Iturregui Picasso-Brown
Carla Michaelsen
Carla Short Spivey
Carol Beth Wiggins Baswell
Carol Mason
Carole Bass
Caroline Williams Joyce
Carolyn Cage Johnston
Carolyn Walker
Carrie Garske Shank
Caryle A Cox
Cassy Taylor Campos
Cathleen Frantzen Schaber
Chasity Davis
Cheri Nill
Cheri Simpson
Cherie Walker
Cheryl Bakkila-Perkins
Chris Behne
Christie Hoos
Christie Nader
Christina Lehmann Bergevin
Christina Rosbury
Christy Emigh
Cilla Thomas
Cindy Helzer Baldwin
Cindy Jo Conner
Cindy Morgan
Cindy Richard Broussard
Colleen Hepler Brassington
Colleen Kane
Connie Dupuis
Crista Mason
Crystal Baker
Crystal Wagner
Cyndi Silva Raugh
Cynthia Corsetti
Cynthia Gaye Rahm-Clark
Dana Baker
Dana Huntington-Smith
Danette Mohring
Dawn Bellotti
Dawn Bennett
Dawn Pulley Ervin
Deb Gallagher
Debbie McCullough Hayhurst
Debbie Rogers Greenan
Debbie Wasielewski Tavarez
Debby McCrary
Debi Jackson
Debi Tucker Boland
Deborah Carlyle Enman
Debra Honeywell Myott
Dee-Ann Bodenheimer-Enslin
Deena Corwin Pfahler
Deleise Carper Brewer
Denise Ramirez-Tatum
Denise Trainer Webb
Derry Cronin Gleason
Diana Dermit McCarthy
Diana Walla
Diane Blevins Smith
Diane Simms
Donna Holmes
Donna Thompson Spencer
Donna Turner Hudson
Dorene Rose
Doris Wright
Elaine Falk Parker
Elisa Stoneman
Elizabeth McConnel Sutton
Elizabeth Pierce
Eva Sullivan-Knoff
Felicia Dodd
Frances Lavender
Gena Rogers
Genell Brown
Georgi Persons
Gerry Phifer
Gina Williamson
Glenda Crump
Glenda Purkis Boulton
Gloria Melton
Greta Medrano
Gretchen Doornek Mueller
Harriet Sutton
Heather Clevenger
Heather Gee-Thomas
Heather McCracken Bottoms
Ineka Estabrook
Irene Gilliland
Jacqueline Rutledge
Jade Cutter
Jamie Hovland
Jamie Tessing Bruesehoff
Jammie Risley Hahn
Jan Pezant
Jan Roberts
Jan Wightman
Jane Clementi
Jane Moody
Janet Phillips
Janice Dunn White
Janie Romine
Janine Sarah Moore
Jaron Terry
Jeannette Cona-Larock
Jeannie Babb
Jenna Robertson
Jennie Young-Walczyk
Jennifer Donovan Jasgur
Jennifer Dunnam Stringfellow
Jennifer Hancock
Jennifer Robinson
Jennifer Schaffner Burkhardt
Jennifer Seeger
Jennifer Stake White
Jennifer Teeter
Jennifer Wilkins Pearson
Jenny Bishop Morgan
Jerri Surles Collins
Jessica Fahlgren
Jill Blythe
Jill Johnstone
Jill Pote Yarbrough
Jillian Jones
Joani Lea Jack
JoAnn Forsberg
Joann Thompson
Jody Miller Vanderzell
Joy Denton
Judie Brown Gordon
Judith K Volkar
Judy Witzel Harper
Julia Lunardo
Julie Ackerson-Armstrong
Julie Bean Bisgaard
Julie Elliott O’Neal
Julie Greene
Julie Kennedy Eaton
Julie Lenox Haines
Julie Manning Waters
Karen Adams
Karen Decker Kusserow
Karen Sullivan
Karin Paulus
Karin Triola
Katherine Brown Leidy
Kathi Nicholson
Kathie Moehlig
Kathrine M Kraft
Kathryn Zentner
Kathy Ann
Kathy Ewing-Finley
Kathy Green
Kathy Reim
Kathy Renne Post
Kathy White
Katie Jenifer
Katie Willhite Brooks
Katrina Black
Kay Kelley
Kay Otting
Kay Whistler
Kelli Henry Alamond
Kelli Lewis Decker
Kellie Taylor- Lafevor
Kelly Beane
Kelly Cantwell
Kelly Dembiczak
Kelly M Hunsaker
Kelly McKinsey
Kelly Rae Holiday
Keri Lynn Riley
Kim Belcher Messick
Kim Freeman Weill
Kim Kendall
Kim Lue
Kim McMahon
Kim Sonntag
Kimberly Jones
Kimberly Shappley
Kimberlyn Graham
Kirsten Shaw
Kris Gromm
Krista Burdine
Kristen Capp
Kristi Chenoweth Dubois
Kristi Kodos
Kyle Jump
Lannette Sargent
Laura Beth Taylor
Laura Sparks Turner
LeAnn Fenner
Leba Shallenberger
Lee Ann Howdershell
Lenora Lea Gill
Lesa Edwards-Schepers
Lesley Davis
Leslie Jones Webster
Linda Baker
Linda Ling
Linda Rooney
Linda Slater Tow
Linda Wiebe Dickinson
Linda York O’Connell
Lisa Bray
Lisa Cousins
Lisa Giordano Bontemps
Lisa Golden Dugger
Lisa MacGregor
Lisa Maniscalco Hildebrand
Lisa McCrystal Holley
Lisa Osborne
Lisa Reinhart Hard
Lisa Schramm
Lisa Scott Wofford
Lisa Wetmore Shinn
Liz Dyer
Loretta Davila
Lori Black Manning
Lori Bradley-Lewis
Lori Chavers Blankenship
Lori Love-Wise
Lori McCoy Simmons
Lori Rogers
Lyndah Kolkmann
Lynette Joy
Lynn Kato
Madai Girard
Maleea Shaver Castillo
Mally Shell Hatch
Marcie Castiglione
Margi Wilmans
Margie Candler
Maria Breeden
Marianne Minier Walker
Marjorie Rudolph
Marlene Hoefer Brummond
Marlene Lund
Marsha Ladd
Martha Maust
Marti Parsons Grahl
Mary Estelle Montgomery
Mary Jo Whitley
Mary Kay Weil
Meg Shull Bierwirth
Melea Broekers
Melissa Ballard
Melissa Brady Silva
Melissa Morritt Coble
Melissa Sosenko DeStefano
Meredith Webster Indermaur
Merryl Dietz
Micah Hoshi
Michele Engle
Michele Manuel Fuselier
Michele Wessel Tarnow
Michelle Bradshaw McComb
Michelle Zulch
Millie Donnell
Miriam Pendley
Monica Ausderau Larmon
Monica Maday
Monica-Niki Elenbaas
Morven Roberts Baker
Najla Samaan
Nancy Barron Booher
Nancy Johnson Campbell
Nancy MacDonald
Nancy Ruh
Nancy Thompson Flikkema
Nancy Villegas
Nancy Wance
Nicole Havlen Hair
Olivia Santos
Paige Gant
Paige Stover
Pam Ensinger Antos
Pam Swendig
Pam Walsh
Patricia Detzel
Patricia Sjöberg
Patti Atwood Grossman
Patti Mercer Churner
Patti Stone
Patti Stratton
Paula Unrau
Pauline Carlson
Pauline Daly
Phyllis Barber
Rachel Drouillard
Rachel Keyte
Rachel Sargent
Rebecca Fako Uecker
Rebecca Hedges Lyon
Regina Pitts Woods
Renay Boyes
Renee Utley Bennink
Rev. Mally Baum
Rhonda Hartzell
Rhonda Morrison
Rita Daruvala
Rob Ullinger
Robin Gowan
Robin Protsman
Robinette Nacca-Cooke
Robyn S Haag
Ʀosaııie Ĺane
Rose Stucchio
Roseanne M. Shannon
Rosemarie Varrichio Campbell
Rossana Neglia McLaughlin
Roxanna Villars Gambrell
S Anderson
Sandra Cathers
Sandra Van Dyne
Sandy Collins
Sandy McClure
Sara Cunningham
Sara Hoel May
Sarah Langley
Sarah Mills Holbrook
Sarah Thacker-Estell
Shannon Eaton
Shawna Dicintio
Shay Bisbee Haude
Shelley McBride
Sheri Martin
Sherrl McFerrin Townsend
Sondy Eklund
Stacey Frazier
Stacey Jackson Baeumler
Stacy Gouge Drake
Stephanie Anderson
Sue Howard
Sue Tresatti
Susan Berland
Susan Cloys Seaman
Susan Cottrell
Susan Foss Naranjo-Stultz
Susan Hammontree Fortney
Susan Ledbetter
Susan Merritt Slattery
Susan Metcalf
Susan Wardzinski
Susy Rowe Barnhill
Suzanne Lambert Mann
Tamara Darbin
Tamara Totoro Dick
Tammi Perkins
Tammy Flowers Mejdrich
Tammy Watson
Tammy Wenzinger
Tamra Jennings
Tana Lightbown Hendricks
Tari Card
Tenley Dyck
Teresa Medlin Poston
Teresa Parker
Teri Henderson
Teri Stueland Kay
Terri Cook
Terri Gervasi
Terri Nolt
Terri Schempf
Terry Hall Sanchez
Theresa Moore Martinez
Theresa Tasker
Tina Tocheri Thomas
Tonda Campbell Hoyt
Toni Ann Bradley
Tracie Sells
Tracy Jepson
Tricia Kaufman-Waddell
Tricia Willard
Valerie Amoling Cronin
Vanessa Horton-Hendershot
Vanessa Melchiori
Vicki Kemp Whorton
Vicki Westphal
Vicky Barnes
Vlada Knowlton
Zenia Robertson

Serendipitydodah for Moms is a private Facebook group created as an extension of the Serendipitydodah blog. The group is private so only members can see who is in the group and what is posted in the group. The group was started in June 2014 and presently has more than 1,400 members. The space was specifically created for open minded Christian moms who have LGBTQ kids and want to develop and maintain healthy, loving, authentic relationships with their LGBTQ kids. In addition to providing a space for members to share info and support one another, a special guest is added each month for a few days. The guests include authors, pastors, LGBTQ people, bloggers and public speakers.

For more info email lizdyer55@gmail.com

National Coming Out Day Message

Tags

#LGBTQFamilies, coming out, LGBT, LGBT Youth, Mama Bears, Moms of LGBT, Moms of LGBTQ Kids, Pride, Serendipitydodah for Moms

 

Happy National Coming Out Day!!

I love this day but I never want anyone to feel pressure to come out.

I have people contact me all throughout the year, but especially around this day, to talk about coming out.

I always tell them they should keep their personal safety in mind when thinking about coming out.

My advise is come out if you are ready and if you think you will be safe but safety should be the first priority.

Some LGBTQ youth are wise to wait until they are out on their own before coming out. I know of LGBTQ youth who have been kicked out of their homes or denied help with higher education or isolated from their support groups when they came out. Being in the closet is hard but sometimes it is necessary for a period of time.

I also realize that there is a right time for parents to come out as affirming and supportive of their kids. Sometimes relationships need to be managed and sometimes jobs are at stake. Each person and family has to weigh the risks.

The timing needs to be right.

But I do think we should all be working towards being out and helping our kids be out because keeping secrets takes a great toll on people. Keeping secrets, hiding who you are and what you really think and believe affects the ability to form intimate connections and causes a lot of anxiety on a daily basis.

When people can be themselves, live authentically, share honestly and live into the person they were created to be they are always healthier in every way.

******************************************************

 

Serendipitydodah for Moms is a private Facebook group created as an extension of the Serendipitydodah blog. The group is private so only members can see who is in the group and what is posted in the group. The group was started in June 2014 and presently has more than 1,400 members. The space was specifically created for open minded Christian moms who have LGBTQ kids and want to develop and maintain healthy, loving, authentic relationships with their LGBTQ kids. In addition to providing a space for members to share info and support one another, a special guest is added each month for a few days. The guests include authors, pastors, LGBTQ people, bloggers and public speakers.

For more info email lizdyer55@gmail.com

 

Activist Mommy

Tags

#LGBTQFamilies, acceptance, activistmommy, children, Christian, church, family, GLBT, LGBT, LGBT Youth, LGBTQ, love, Moms of LGBT, Moms of LGBTQ Kids, parents

***Thanks to Sara Cunningham for allowing me to use this picture. Check out the notes at the bottom of this post to find out more about Sara and her book “How We Sleep At Night: A Mother’s Memoir”

 

There’s a new #ActivistMommy on the scene these days. I would guess that she is probably a member of the “One Million Moms” group on Facebook that has less than one hundred thousand members. LOL  You know the group – it’s the one who boycotts any business or organization that shares anything positive about LGBTQ people.

Anyway … this new #ActivistMommy is similar to the members of the One Million Moms group as she likes to complain and rant (in videos and in Facebook posts) about how horrible the world is because of Pride parades and same sex marriage and inclusive churches and businesses that allow people to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity.

She is all about the doom and gloom and likes to talk about how those who affirm same sex marriage and support churches that are fully inclusive are not really Christians.

Her supporters are even more bold and are likely to tell someone like me that I am going to burn in hell and am leading my gay son into the pit of hell with me … oh, and they are predicting the end of the world will probably happen any day now. LOL

Well …

I’m an #ActivistMommy too but I’m not trying to spread a doom and gloom message.

Instead, I’ve created an online community for open minded Christian moms who have LGBTQ kids and want to develop and maintain healthy, authentic, loving relationships with their LGBTQ kids.

The group was started in June 2014 and we have over 1,100 members now.

We share a lot of info and support in the group and inspire each other to do what we can to make the world a kinder, safer, more loving place for all LGBTQ people to live.

That’s the kind of #ActivistMommy I am.

Email me at lizdyer55@gmail.com for more info about the private Facebook group and how to join.

To all the moms out there who love and support their LGBTQ kids I propose that we take over the #ActivistMommy hashtag and use it to spread a positive message of love and light.

If you post a picture of you and your family at a Pride parade use the hashtag #ActivistMommy.

If you post something that supports equality or protection for LGBTQ people use the hashtag #ActivistMommy.

If you post a picture of a same sex couple getting married use #ActivistMommy.

If you post something about #PFLAG or #GCN or #HRC or #TheTrevorProject or #GayStraighAlliance or #TrueColors or anything that is a positive support system for LGBTQ people – especially LGBTQ youth – use the hashtag #ActivistMommy

That way, when people search for #ActivistMommy they will receive a post or picture or video or thought that will help make the world a better place for all of us to live.

Your move!

************************************

Serendipitydodah for Moms is a private Facebook group created as an extension of the Serendipitydodah blog. The group is private so only members can see who is in the group and what is posted in the group. The group was started in June 2014 and presently has more than 1,100 members. The space was specifically created for open minded Christian moms who have LGBTQ kids and want to develop and maintain healthy, loving, authentic relationships with their LGBTQ kids. In addition to providing a space for members to share info and support one another, a special guest is added each month for a few days. The guests include authors, pastors, LGBTQ people, bloggers and public speakers.  For more info email lizdyer55@gmail.com
************************************

 

***Thanks to Sara Cunningham for allowing me to use her picture for this post. Sara Cunningham is one of the members in the Serendipitydodah for Moms group. She is my kind of #ActivistMommy

She organized a group of moms who went to OKC Pride this year. They marched in the parade, set up a “Free Mom Hugs” booth and helped shield LGBTQ people from those who were there to spread negative messages.

Sara is also the author of “How We Sleep At Night: A Mother’s Memoir” which tells the story of how a Christian mother comes to terms with her son being gay through a personal journey that starts with the Church and ends at the Pride Parade. It’s a great book that I highly recommend.

You can find out more about Sara by following her Facebook page.

 

 

A letter of support to Trey Pearson

Tags

affirming, Christian, letter, LGBT, LGBTQ, Moms of LGBTQ Kids, Trey Pearson

I have a private Facebook group for open minded Christian moms of LGBTQ kids. We have more than 1,100 moms in the group and one thing we love to do is send letters of support, encouragement and thanks out from our group to people or organizations that we can have a positive impact on.

When we heard about Christian music artist Trey Pearson coming out we knew he would be facing some negative responses so we put together a letter of support and gathered signatures from members of the group and sent it off to him.

We wanted Trey to know that there are people in his corner, rooting for him and loving him for who he is.

Here is the letter we sent to Trey:

Dear Trey,

We are members of a large private Facebook group called Serendipitydodah for Moms. The group was created for open minded Christian moms of LGBTQ kids who love and support their kids and want to develop and maintain healthy, authentic, loving relationships with their LGBTQ kids. We have more than 1,100 members in the group and many of us are working to bring attention to acceptance and equality, sometimes in personal relationships and sometimes publicly.

We are writing to you because we want you to know that we care about you and recognize the courage it took to come out publicly. We are moms who understand because some of our own children have had to exhibit the same kind of courage when they finally determined to come out and begin living fully into the person they were created to be.

Although there is a lot of ignorance and hate out there, we want to encourage you. Every day there are more and more people who are supportive and affirming of LGBTQ people. The tide is turning and things are getting better. Laws are changing and many, many people do care about you and support you.

So, hang in there and never give up on your dream to live a full, happy, successful, good life.

More than 300 of us are signing our names to this letter with much love and encouragement sent your way.

We will continue to fight for you, pray for you and support you just as you are.

Love & light,

Abby De Fiesta Cortez
Adele Berardi
Aletheia Wall Zambesi
Alise D Chaffins
Alison Defrese
Allena Brown
Amanda Curtis Dwyer
Amy Hansley Moorehead
Angie Laws
Angie Silver
Anita Jewell Carter Cockrum
Ann McGee Green
Ann Zweckbronner
Arlene Schulz
Barb Cressy
Becky Cantrall
Beth Barndt Ruthenburg
Beth Breems
Beth Yoder
Bethany Kirwen
Betsy Bruce Henning
Billie Jo Marrs
Bonnie Miranda
Bridget Murphy
Carie Poynor Downes
Carla Iturregui Picasso-Brown
Carla Michaelsen
Carla Short Spivey
Carol Beth Wiggins Baswell
Carol Fuss Reed
Carol Mason
Carole Bass
Caroline Williams Joyce
Carolyn Cage Johnston
Carrie Garske Shank
Cassy Taylor Campos
Cathleen Frantzen Schaber
Chasity Davis
Cheri Nill
Cheri Simpson
Cherie Walker
Cheryl Bakkila-Perkins
Chris Behne
Christie Hoos
Christy Emigh
Cindy Helzer Baldwin
Cindy Morgan
Colleen Kane
Crista Mason
Cyndi Silva Raugh
Cynthia Corsetti
Dana Baker
Dana Huntington-Smith
Danette Mohring
Dawn Bellotti
Dawn Bennett Jones
Dawn Pulley Ervin
Deb Gallagher
Debbie McCullough Hayhurst
Debbie Rogers Greenan
Debbie Wasielewski Tavarez
Debby McCrary
Debi Jackson
Debi Tucker Boland
Deborah Carlyle Enman
Dee-Ann Bodenheimer-Enslin
Deena Corwin Pfahler
Deleise Carper Brewer
Denise Ramirez-Tatum
Denise Trainer Webb
Derry Cronin Gleason
Diana Dermit McCarthy
Diane Blevins Smith
Diane Simms
Donna Holmes
Donna Turner Hudson
Dorene Rose
Doris Wright
Elaine Falk Parker
Felicia Dodd
Frances Lavender
Gena Rogers
Genell Brown
Georgi Persons
Gerry Phifer
Greta Medrano
Gretchen Doornek Mueller
Harriet Sutton
Heather Clevenger
Heather Gee-Thomas
Heather McCracken Bottoms
Ineka Estabrook
Irene Gilliland
Jacqueline Rutledge
Jamie Hovland
Jamie Tessing Bruesehoff
Jammie Risley Hahn
Jan Pezant
Jan Roberts
Jan Wightman
Jane Clementi
Jane Moody
Janet Phillips
Janine Sarah Moore
Jaron Terry
Jennie Young-Walczyk
Jennifer Dunnam Stringfellow
Jennifer Hancock
Jennifer Schaffner Burkhardt
Jennifer Seeger
Jennifer Stake White
Jerri Surles Collins
Jessica Fahlgren
Jill Spicer
Joani Lea Jack
JoAnn Forsberg
Joann Thompson
Jody Miller Vanderzell
Joy Denton
Judie Brown Gordon
Judith K Volkar
Judy Witzel Harper
Julia Lunardo
Julie Bean Bisgaard
Julie Elliott O’Neal
Julie Greene
Julie Kennedy Eaton
Julie Lenox Haines
Karen Adams
Karen Decker Kusserow
Karin Paulus
Kathi Nicholson
Kathie Moehlig
Kathryn Zentner
Kathy Ewing-Finley
Kathy Green
Kathy Reim
Kathy Renne Post
Katie Jenifer
Katie Willhite Brooks
Katrina Black
Kay Kelley
Kay Otting
Kay Whistler
Kelli Henry Alamond
Kelli Lewis Decker
Kellie Taylor- Lafevor
Kelly Beane
Kelly Rae Holiday
Kim Freeman Weill
Kim Kendall
Kim Lue
Kim McMahon
Kim Sonntag
Kimberly Jones
Kimberly Shappley
Kimberlyn Graham
Kirsten Shaw
Kristi Kodos
Kristina Gromm
Kyle Jump
Lannette Sargent
Laura Beth Taylor
Laura Sparks Turner
LeAnn Fenner
Lenora Lea Gill
Lesa Edwards-Schepers
Lesley Davis
Leslie Jones Webster
Linda Baker
Linda Ling
Linda Rooney
Linda Slater Tow
Linda Wiebe Dickinson
Linda York O’Connell
Lisa Bray
Lisa Giordano Bontemps
Lisa Golden Dugger
Lisa MacGregor
Lisa Maniscalco Hildebrand
Lisa McCrystal Holley
Lisa Osborne
Lisa Reinhart Hard
Lisa Schramm
Lisa Scott Wofford
Lisa Wetmore Shinn
Liz Dyer
Loretta Davila
Lori Black Manning
Lori Bradley-Lewis
Lori Love-Wise
Lori Rogers
Lyndah Kolkmann
Lynette Joy
Lynn Kato
Madai Girard
Maleea Shaver Castillo
Mally Shell Hatch
Marcie Castiglione
Margi Wilmans
Margie Candler
Maria Breeden
Marianne Minier Walker
Marjorie Rudolph
Marlene Hoefer Brummond
Marlene Lund
Marsha Ladd
Martha Maust
Marti Parsons Grahl
Mary Estelle Montgomery
Mary Jo Whitley
Mary Kay Weil
Melea Broekers
Melissa Morritt Coble
Meredith Webster Indermaur
Merryl Dietz
Michele Engle
Michele Freemyer Grabbe
Michele Manuel Fuselier
Michelle Bradshaw McComb
Michelle Zulch
Millie Donnell
Miriam Pendley
Monica Maday
Monica Thompson
Monica-Niki Elenbaas
Morven Roberts Baker
Nancy Barron Booher
Nancy MacDonald
Nancy Thompson Flikkema
Nancy Villegas
Nancy Wance
Nicole Havlen Hair
Paige Gant
Pam Ensinger Antos
Pam Swendig
Patricia Sjöberg
Patti Atwood Grossman
Patti Mercer Churner
Patti Stone
Patti Stratton
Paula Unrau
Pauline Carlson
Pauline Daly
Phyllis Barber
Rachel Drouillard
Rachel Sargent
Rebecca Hedges Lyon
Regina Pitts Woods
Renee Utley Bennink
Rev. Mally Baum
Rhonda Hartzell
Rita Daruvala
Rob Ullinger
Robin Gowan
Robin Protsman
Robinette Nacca-Cooke
Ʀosaııie Ĺane
Rose Stucchio
Roseanne M. Shannon
Rosemarie Varrichio Campbell
Roxanna Villars Gambrell
S Anderson
Sandra Cathers
Sandra Van Dyne
Sandy Collins
Sandy McClure
Sara Cunningham
Sara Hoel May
Sarah Mills Holbrook
Sarah Thacker-Estell
Shannon Eaton
Shay Bisbee Haude
Shelley McBride
Sheri Martin
Sondy Eklund
Stacey Frazier
Stacey Jackson Baeumler
Stacy Gouge Drake
Sue Howard
Sue Tresatti
Susan Berland
Susan Cloys Seaman
Susan Foss Naranjo-Stultz
Susan Hammontree Fortney
Susan Ledbetter
Susan Metcalf
Susan Wardzinski
Susy Rowe Barnhill
Suzanne Lambert Mann
Tamara Totoro Dick
Tammi Perkins
Tammy Flowers Mejdrich
Tammy Watson
Tammy Wenzinger
Tammy Wylie Barnes
Tamra Jennings
Tana Lightbown Hendricks
Tenley Dyck
Teresa Medlin Poston
Teresa Parker
Teri Stueland Kay
Terri Cook
Terri Gervasi
Terri Nolt
Terri Schempf
Theresa Moore Martinez
Theresa Tasker
Tonda Campbell Hoyt
Tracie Sells
Tracy Jepson
Tricia Kaufman- Waddell
Tricia Willard
Vanessa Horton-Hendershot
Vanessa Melchiori
Vicki Kemp Whorton
Vicki Westphal
Vicky Barnes
Wendy Wiley Canedy
Zenia Robertson

Serendipitydodah for Moms is a private Facebook group created as an extension of the Serendipitydodah blog. The group is private so only members can see who is in the group and what is posted in the group. The group was started in June 2014 and presently has more than 1,100 members. The space was specifically created for open minded Christian moms who have LGBTQ kids and want to develop and maintain healthy, loving, authentic relationships with their LGBTQ kids. In addition to providing a space for members to share info and support one another, a special guest is added each month for a few days. The guests include authors, pastors, LGBTQ people, bloggers and public speakers.

For more info email lizdyer55@gmail.com