Speakers

During the Free Mom Hugs Love Revolution 2023 national conference, more than 400 people heard from inspiring general session speakers and guests.

Special Guest Speaker

Chasten Buttigieg (he/him)

Chasten Glezman Buttigieg grew up in Traverse City, Michigan. He is a teacher, advocate, and husband of former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg. Chasten currently lives with Pete; their two children, Gus and Penelope; and their rescue dog, Buddy, in Northern Michigan. I Have Something to Tell You—For Young Adults is his second New York Times bestselling book.

Key Note Speakers

	Nicole M. Garcia, M.A. LPC (she/her) Rev. Nicole M. Garcia, M.A. LPC (she/her) is a queer transgender Latina who serves as the Faith Work Director at the National LGBTQ Task Force. Nicole earned a Master of Arts in Counseling from CU Denver and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Colorado.
	Kathy Baldock (she/her) Kathy Baldock author, LGBTQ advocate, and founder of Canyonwalker Connections, is a leading expert on the historical and current discrimination against the LGBTQ community from the socially conservative Christian church and political sectors.
	Brian Bond (he/him) Brian K Bond is the Executive Director for PFLAG. He also served in the Obama Administration as Deputy Director for the White House Office of Public Engagement and primary liaison for the LGBTQ community.
	Liz Dyer (she/her) Liz Dyer is a writer, speaker, activist and founder of the Mama Bears organization. She started the Facebook group "Serendipitydodah - Home of the Mama Bears" with about 150 moms and now the group has more than 37,000 moms of LGBTQ+ kids. And that one group has evolved into an organization with more than 60 Mama Bear chapters, 9 private groups and 7 programs serving the LGBTQ+ community
	Sara Cunningham (she/her) Sara Cunningham is an author, activist, and founder of the non-profit organization Free Mom Hugs. After her son came out to her as gay, she found herself on a journey “from the church to the Pride parade,” falling in love with the LGBTQIA+ community. In the wake of beautiful glitter-covered hugs and heart-breaking horror stories, the mission of Free Mom Hugs began. Simple acts of love and acceptance turned into a viral sensation, and Sara knew she had the opportunity to lead impactful change.
	Mauree Turner (They/Them/Theirs) Mauree Turner is the current Representative for Oklahoma’s 88th House District & a Queer, Non-binary, Okie Muslim and formerly the Regional Field Director Oklahoma's Campaign for Smart Justice, an ACLU initiative focusing on criminal justice reform and its many intersections.