Sara Cunningham is the founder of Free Mom Hugs.

By Katrina Kalb

Sara Cunningham started with a simple but powerful belief: every person is a gift from God and deserves to be celebrated. When a child comes out as gay, transgender, or nonbinary, it’s not bad news — it’s a beautiful opportunity to love them more fully.
What makes Sara’s work so powerful is that she’s lived both sides of the story. At one time, she rejected her own gay son because of what she had been taught in church. Everything changed when someone gave her permission to ask questions, search her heart, and explore the many resources that challenged her thinking. Once someone who prayed for the LGBTQ+ community to be “healed,” Sara now sees the beauty, strength, and spirit in every person.

She doesn’t aim to replace anyone’s parents. She simply wants to be a loving, affirming presence for those who’ve been rejected — until their families, like hers, come around. Her vulnerability and honesty have inspired countless others with similar stories to speak out and take action in their own communities.

As Sara often says, “We have seen the power of fear and ignorance. And we have seen the power of love and education.” She believes the church’s message must change — because lives depend on it.

—Katrina Kalb is the former program director of Free Mom Hugs.