My mom is my inspiration. She has spent the last two legislative sessions at the Georgia Capitol, almost daily, during the 40 day session.
Anyone who knows my mom might be surprised at what a fierce advocate she has become. We live in the suburbs of Atlanta, and my mom had never been to the Capitol before she read about anti-LGBTQ bills introduced by legislators. Without knowing anyone, she signed up to speak at a committee hearing, found her way to the Gold Dome, and fiercely advocated for my rights. She has met with legislators who are allies and tried to educate others on what it means to raise a child who is queer. She talks to my friends about the importance of voting and how to research candidates and how important it is to be informed citizens.
Through this, my mom now has a solid group of friends who are also advocates for queer youth. During a “Pastor’s Day” event at the Capitol, where several representatives from Southern Poverty Law Center designated hate groups were slated to speak, my mom designed a huge banner and had it printed, which is a story on its own. My mom had to rush print it, and when the FedEx/Kinkos worker pulled up the graphics, he was silent. My mom was worried because the sign was obviously to show support for queer youth, and she thought maybe he was offended. Instead, this man had gone teary-eyed. He was disowned by his family when he came out as gay, and he appreciated that there were parents who were fighting for kids.
I have seen how important this work has become to my mom. It is not a job she is paid for, but almost a calling that she feels compelled to answer. Each time my mom has been at the Capitol, she has listened to legislators and other special interest groups advocate for removing rights of LGBTQ youth and their parents. My mom says it is “soul-sucking” work, mostly because the dark money is behind the groups that want to legislate against queer kids.
This is only one of the many ways my mom has inspired me. She inspires me to be a better person, to be involved in my community, to look out for others, to always show compassion and empathy, and to just be a decent human being.
I know that if my mom can get lost walking out of a parking garage, look up to find Georgia’s Gold Dome (although she likes to say it is a bit tarnished these last few years), and have the courage to speak truths to lies in front of legislators, that I can go forth with confidence as I chart my course for the future.