The Power of a Hug - Saving LGBTQ Lives Through Love

“Mom, I’ve met someone, and I need you to be okay about it.” These words, spoken by a child to a parent, are often the beginning of the end of a lifelong bond. But according to author/activist Sara Cunningham, it doesn’t have to be that way. Sara is the founder of the non-profit, Free Mom Hugs. Her journey began in conservative Oklahoma, when her son, Parker, came out as gay. As a woman of faith, she struggled with this admission. “I didn’t take the news very well,” she admitted, ”and I said and did some things I regret even to this day.” She found strength through the love she had for her son to begin to examine the conflict between her religion and what she felt in her heart. Sara began to study, research, and reconcile the two worlds. She found herself on a journey “from the church to the Pride parade”, falling in love with the LGBTQ+ Community. In the process of navigating through beautiful, glitter covered hugs as well as heart-breaking, horror stories, the mission of Free Mom Hugs began. It is now a national organization made up of, and supporting parents of LGBTQ+ children and their allies. These parents are spreading love for the LGBTQ + community and "Building a Better Tomorrow, One Hug at a Time". Their updated mission is to go Beyond the Hug, to educate and advocate. “When we know better, we can do better,” Sara teaches. Her passion is to change the narrative so that we as a society, not only learn to affirm the LGBTQ+ community, but celebrate them. To make this happen, Sarah and Free Mom Hugs president Katrina Kolb hit the road for a cross country tour to spread their positive message. During a stop in Phoenix, Arizona for a get together with the Safe Out LGBTQ Youth Coalition, Event Coordinator Isaac Akapnitis summed up his appreciation for the impact Free Mom Hugs is having. “I think that the work of Sarah and Katrina is incredible, because they really are spreading messages of love and hope and positivity for LGBTQ+ youth.” Come, join the tour, and see the power of conversation and a personal experience in action. Learn more at: https://www.freemomhugs.org Find more about Safe Out at: https://safeoutaz.org/ To see more OnlyGood FAMILY videos, visit us at: http://bit.ly/OnlyGoodTVYTFAMILY Welcome to OnlyGood.tv! (Formerly HooplaHa - Only Good News) - It’s a Positivity Movement. We at OnlyGood TV believe that positivity will change lives for the better. We strive to be the hopeful voice that recognizes people are good & out there doing good things for their communities and society at large. We tell the stories of the individuals and organizations that inspire and motivate us, and fuel the Positivity Movement. Watch an exclusive collection of stories featuring PETS, FAMILY, WELLNESS, and COMMUNITY, including unique series and Live Specials that shine a spotlight on everyday people, making the world a better place. #OGTV Visit us at: https://www.onlygood.tv/ Like us on OGTV’s Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/onlygood.tv Like us on Hooplaha’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/hooplaha/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onlygood.tv/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/onlygoodtv