By Rev. Alix Wright
A mother. An ally. A follower of Christ’s radical love.
“Mom Hugs” Speak Volumes
I started my day looking on Amazon for a new Pride shirt to wear to the parade. Some were funny and witty, some were loud and outrageous, some were simple and understated. And then I saw the one that always stops me in my tracks—the one that makes my throat catch and my eyes sting every single time. It simply says, “Free Mom Hugs.”
It seems like such a small thing—three words printed on cotton. But for some, it’s everything. That shirt is a promise. A protest. A prayer. It’s a declaration that says: you are loved, just as you are.
I think of all the young people who come to Pride not knowing if their own parents will ever embrace them again. I think of the tears I’ve seen when a stranger offers that simple, unconditional gesture—a hug from someone who sees them fully and chooses love anyway.
The Story of Andrew, My Gay College Friend
I’m writing this as a mother, a minister, and an ally—and in all those roles, my heart beats with love and hope during Pride Month. Unfortunately, it also breaks. When I think of Pride, I remember Andrew, a friend from my freshman year in college. Few of his closest friends knew he was gay, but his family, and most of our dorm did not.
Between the small town he had grown up in, the conservative family that had raised him, and the church that had preached hate, he was convinced he was not enough. He’d had a lifetime being taught that it was not safe to live as he felt or love who he wanted. That year, I observed, encouraged, and listened. I watched as he found his voice, he found romance, and he found the courage to come out, slowly, to friends at first, to our dorm, and finally, heartbreakingly, to his parents.
As a minister in the United Church of Christ, I carry the conviction that God’s love is extravagant and unconditional. We often say in the UCC, “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” That welcome isn’t a slogan. It’s a call to action. It means we show up for our LGBTQ+ siblings in real, tangible, unapologetic ways.
As a mother, I know the deep yearning to see our children cherished exactly as they are. I know what it means to want safety, belonging, and joy for every young person growing up in a world that sometimes forgets how to be kind. And as an ally, I’ve come to understand that support isn’t a passive stance—it’s active, ongoing, and rooted in deep listening.
Be an Ally in Pride Month
This Pride Month, I invite you to practice radical welcome. Not just rainbow flags on church doors, but brave conversations around dinner tables. Not just social media posts, but policy advocacy, pronoun respect, and showing up when it’s uncomfortable.
I believe the Church can be a healing place. I’ve seen what happens when a queer person walks into a sanctuary and hears for the first time that God delights in them. I’ve witnessed baptisms, weddings, coming-out stories, and moments of grace where the Spirit moved in glitter and laughter.
So, this month, let’s celebrate. Let’s repent of our silence and recommit to justice. Let’s teach our children to widen the circle. Let’s remind our congregations that Jesus always, always walked with those pushed to the margins.
And if you, like me, are a parent—biological or spiritual—may we raise this generation with open eyes, brave hearts, and love fierce enough to tear down walls.
Because Pride isn’t just about identity—it’s about dignity. It’s about joy. It’s about liberation. And as people of faith, we are called to nothing less.
Happy Pride! You are loved beyond measure.
