FreedHearts

An interview with the Mother of All MamaBears: Susan Cottrell

Images courtesy of Susan Cottrell and Robert Cottrell

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I am a big believer in ‘cosmic coincidence’ and overlapping soul circles of people meeting when they are meant to. I discovered the life changing work of Susan Cottrell when I watched her that reinforced some of what I do in practice as a therapist serving teens and adults who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Some of them struggle with rejection by the very people they hope would be there for them, their families. Sometimes I cry with them, and always tell them that I stand with them as they claim who they are. I also celebrate with those who tell me that their families embrace them in all of who they are. When I have the chance to meet with the parents, I acknowledge that even if it might have been a challenge initially, their acceptance may very well have saved their child’s life.

Enjoy getting to know this wondrous woman, who, with her husband, stand with two of their children who identity as queer. She is known as “The Mother of All MamaBears.”

You share your family’s journey in your remarkable TEDx talk called Why I Chose My Daughter Over the Evangelical Church. I cried and cheered along with the audience…