We recently connected with Sara Cunningham and have shared our conversation below.

Sara, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I made a homemade button with the words “Free Mom Hugs” went to the 2015 Okc Pride Festival and stood with my arms wide open. The first hug went to a beautiful young woman who said “It’s been 4 years since I got a hug from my mom because I’m a lesbian.” I said “well, I’m a mom, here’s a hug and I’m not letting go until you do,”

I stayed and hugged all day – the stories I heard were heartbreaking – from that experience I started the Nonprofit Free Mom Hugs.

Our Mission Statement: We Empower the world to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community through visibility, education and conversation.

My straight son has more rights than my gay son. In 29 states (including Oklahoma) my gay son can legally be denied housing, healthcare and even service in a public space bc he’s gay. In Oklahoma Conversion Therapy is still legal, sought out and paid for.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Founded in 2015 by Sara Cunningham, a Christian mother of a gay son in conservative Oklahoma. Her journey “from the church to the Pride parade”, created a movement of love for the LGBTQIA+ community and the parents and allies who support them. We are a 502(c)(3) non-profit organization that has grown into a national movement with chapters in all 50 states and initiatives being developed in other countries.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Being honest with my story, empowering people and then offering the Free Mom Hugs platform for people to DO something GOOD.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Early in my advocacy I had a project I called “Together at the Table.” In an effort to bridge the gap between the LGBTQ+ Community and the non-affirming church. The problem was, I couldn’t get anyone from the non-affirming church to show up.

This was disheartening and frustrating. But I kept trying to no avail.

A few years later I was with a small FMH group attending “Gay Days” at the local baseball field. It was a beautiful night full of young people walking around with their Pride flags having a good time. Well, not everybody got the memo about it being Gay Days. A group of people were on the sidelines scoffing – I call them “Scoffers” : A person that mocks or make fun of someone or something. Anyway, there was a time I would engage with them, try to have a dialogue but at that moment I heard a still small voice in my head say ” You’re not here for them (scoffers) You’re here for THEM (the LGBTQ+ community)

Since that day we gave up on building that bridge and put all of our attention and efforts into the LGBTQ+ community and those who love and support them. We blossomed, like healing fruit from the vine – we saw life giving, lasting, empowering relationships build and Free Mom Hugs spread like wildfire.

Contact Info:

• Website: freemomhugs.org
• Instagram: freemomhugs
• Facebook: Free Mom Hugs
• Youtube: Free Mom Hugs

Image Credits
Profile Photo credit. Valerie Rollins w/ withuinmind photography