by Chris Pepple
In 2014, Liz Dyer had a simple but powerful dream: to create a private Facebook group where moms of LGBTQ+ kids could encourage one another and work together to make the world a safer, kinder place. What began as a handful of mothers sharing stories and support has grown into a worldwide movement known as the Mama Bears.
Today, thousands of members stand behind that vision, bringing change through education, conversation, and—perhaps most importantly—small acts of kindness. From seminars and books to booths at Pride festivals, parade groups, care packages, and hugs, the Mama Bears have touched countless lives.
Their philosophy is simple but profound: the world can change one conversation at a time, one hug at a time, one small act of kindness at a time. And for many in the LGBTQ+ community, these gestures arrive at moments when they are most needed.
One high school student in Tennessee, whom we’ll call Elliot, experienced that support firsthand. While transitioning, Elliot found himself disconnected from his church and extended family. As graduation approached, instead of feeling proud, he felt anxious—his school questioned whether he could walk across the stage or even use his preferred name.
His mother, a Mama Bear, knew she wasn’t alone. She reached out to Mama Bears to the Rescue, a program where members rally around LGBTQ+ people in need of encouragement. Soon, graduation cards began pouring into Elliot’s mailbox from across the country.
“I kept every card and still have them,” Elliot said. For him, the notes of celebration were more than paper and ink—they were reminders that he was not alone, that community can be found even when it feels lost.
Mama Bears to the Rescue provides that kind of hope every day. Through their website, people can request support during the holidays, ask for a stand-in mom at a same-gender wedding, or seek notes of encouragement and resources during tough times. With chapters in all 50 states, Mama Bears can even connect members in person to share a meal, offer a hug, or simply be present when life feels overwhelming.
The group’s resource lists are another lifeline, covering everything from faith questions to applying for passports, navigating gender markers on driver’s licenses, or understanding healthcare laws for transgender youth.
What started as one mother’s dream has become a powerful network of love, activism, and resilience. Mama Bears have sent quilts, stood in at weddings, shown up at Pride festivals, written thousands of notes, published books, and even launched advocacy groups of their own.
The message remains clear: kindness matters. Through acts both big and small, the Mama Bears show that community is not just about words, but about presence, action, and love. And in a world where LGBTQ+ rights are too often under attack, their work reminds us that change is possible—one small act of kindness at a time.
