Religion versus sexuality is an all too common narrative in modern America. Despite all the familial love in the world, an individual ‘coming out’ as homosexual can cause conflict and moral distress for other loved ones. Strong spiritual views opposing homosexuality seem to especially accelerate the contention in many families.
An Oklahoma City mother can relate to this all too well and has been publicly sharing her experiences with her gay son. She has set an inspiring example of love for people both straight and gay, offering support to those in dark times. In the future, we can expect her wonderful life story to hit the silver screen, thanks to Jaime Lee Curtis.
Can’t ‘Pray The Gay Away’
It took years of struggle and uncertainty, but Sara Cunningham stands today in front of the world as the largest supporter of gay rights and equality. In 2011, her youngest child told Sara he was gay. As a conservative Baptist, the 55-year-old secretary did not initially take the news well and saw her son’s actions as shameful. “We tried to ‘pray the gay away’ for years,” said Cunningham to the Washington Post, “And I felt like I had to choose between my son and my faith.” In the end, she proudly chose her son and embraced all LGBTQ people. (1)
Spent the day with my doppelgänger, inspirational mama bear, leader, author and social activist, Sara Cunningham, whose program @freemomhugs offers support to LBGTQ members whose families don’t. As we say…. stay tuned #hero #freemomhugs pic.twitter.com/7XiQJkSm6L
— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) September 27, 2018
PSA For LGBTQ Couples Everywhere
In July of 2018, Sara stepped up her involvement and activism in the LGBTQ community by offering up her services as a ‘stand-in mother’. Since not all same-sex couples are actively accepted by their families, they may be married without the presence of a loving parent. Sara felt for these couples and recognized how a lack of family could make a wedding day difficult. She wanted to ease their burden.
Therefore, in a short Facebook post, Sara got the word out that she was available as a stand-in for all and any couples, lacking parental support. Sara wrote, “PSA. If you need a mom to attend your same-sex wedding because your biological mom won’t,” she wrote, “call me. I’m there. I’ll be your biggest fan. I’ll even bring the bubbles.” And alongside, shared a photo of her raising her hand happily. The post went viral, shared over 9,000 times and more than 10,000 ‘likes’. (1)
Sara’s Growing Legacy
Sara is now deeply engrained and well-known by those in the LBGTQ community. She is an ordained minister and can either officiate or provide parental support to same-sex weddings in Oklahoma, Mississippi, or Texas. She has been involved with nearly a dozen weddings so far, and has provoked other parents to ‘stand up and stand in’. Sara also started Free Mom Hugs (an LBGTQ non-profit), and wrote a memoir of her relationship with her son, entitled ‘How We Sleep At Night’.
Publicly, Sara’s story is still in motion, and we can expect to hear more about her soon. Specifically, her memoir and Facebook post caught the attention of several celebrities, including Jaime Lee Curtis. The two women met, and Jaime was hooked on Sara’s story. Jaime Lee Curtis has now obtained the movie rights to Sara’s book. Curtis told the Washington Post, “I was moved by her journey, and I continue to be thrilled as her movement is catching on. I hope to do justice to her story and the story of so many marginalized people in the LGBTQ community.” (1)
