There Are Answers
The Trevor Project
You deserve
a welcoming, loving world.
And so do the people you care about. Here you can reach out to a counselor if you’re struggling, find answers and information, and get the tools you need to help someone else. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
What we do
The Trevor Project’s mission is to end suicide among LGBTQ young people.
Distinctions and Definitions: Sexuality and Gender
While it is important to recognize and learn respectful words and phrases that describe sexuality and gender, the topic itself is complex to understand and continues to evolve. Here are some helpful distinctions and definitions related to sexuality and gender:
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Gender identity: Refers to one’s sense of self as male, female or something else.
Gender expression: How someone presents themselves including physical appearance, clothing choice and behavior.
Sexual orientation: Part of someone’s identity that includes their sexual and emotional attraction to another person and the behavior that results from this attraction.
Asexual: A person who does not experience sexual attraction or has little interest in sexual activity.
Cisgender: Individuals who have a match between the sex they were assigned at birth, their bodies and their gender identity.
Transgender: Umbrella term that incorporates differences in gender identity where assigned biological sex doesn’t match a person’s felt identity.
Queer: Umbrella term that individuals may use to describe sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression that does not conform to dominant societal norms.
Pansexual: Sexual identity and sexual orientation term similar to “bisexual” but more inclusive of transgender (trans) people.
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The Free Mom Hugs Story
Free Mom Hugs was founded by Sara Cunningham, a Christian mother in conservative Oklahoma, who spent years rejecting her son Parker's sexuality, after he came out to her. Conflicted by her love for her son and her spirituality, Sara exhaustively searched faith and sexuality for answers. What she learned would transform her journey from the church to the pride parade.
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As Sara became involved in the LGBTQIA+ community, the hurt, shame and injustice they frequently experience was painfully clear. Remembering that she too was once in the crowd that rejected this loving, vibrant community, Sara took action.
On Saturday, June 20, 2015, Sara wore a homemade button with the words “Free Mom Hugs” to the Oklahoma City Pride Festival. She offered hugs to anyone who made eye contact. The first hug Sara gave was to a beautiful girl who whispered, “It’s been four years since I got a hug from my mom because I’m a lesbian.” Sara embraced her and hundreds more that day, and many shared similar stories with every embrace.
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That day Free Mom Hugs — a nationwide movement of love, visibility and acceptance for the LGBTQIA+ community — was born.
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In 2018, Sara created a Facebook post that instantly went viral: “PSA: If you need a mom to attend your same-sex wedding because your biological mom won’t, call me. I’m there. I’ll be your biggest fan. I’ll even bring the bubbles.” The shockwaves of the post catapulted Sara and Parker’s story into the national spotlight. Shortly after, the movement took another leap forward when Free Mom Hugs was established as a national nonprofit.
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Today, Free Mom Hugs has chapters in all 50 states and other initiatives forming globally. The group’s growing force of more than 14,000 volunteers is a national groundswell dedicated to empowering the world to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community through visibility, conversation and education.