Recognize All Mamas, All Families, Everywhere

By: Nico Quintana, Policy Director, Basic Rights Oregon

Like many queer and transgender youth, my teenage years were about survival, even in the progressive community of Eugene, Oregon.

At age 13, I came out to my family and experienced homelessness for much of my high school years due to lack of acceptance and violence in my family’s home. Throughout high school, I couch surfed, slept in cars and school busses, and stayed in the homes of LGBTQ chosen family and friends. I was lucky enough to receive love and support from the lesbian community in Eugene, particularly one couple Marlene and Floice, who I consider to be family. I am not sure if I would be here today if it were not for the love and support of my chosen LGBTQ family of mine over the years.

For years, many queer and transgender families and communities have formed out of survival. We need to recognize and celebrate families like mine. While we may not be related by blood, we are family just the same.

Our families are among the four out of five households in the United States who fall outside the outdated notion of what family means.

This is why Basic Rights Oregon is excited to be a partner in the Strong Families Mamas Day campaign, giving visibility to mamas and families in ways that you rarely see in the greeting card aisle.

This year, we hired artist Micah Bazant to create an inspirational card for us to celebrate queer and transgender kids surrounded by loving and supportive family.

It's important that we have an opportunity to celebrate all mamas and all families everywhere! So join us in making a beautiful, and free, Mamas Day e-card to show love to the mamas and family who've made a difference in your life, regardless if you were born into their family or not.

Mamas Day celebrates and recognizes ALL mamas in our families and communities. Mamas Day moves beyond the traditional images of Mother’s Day cards to include the rich diversity of mamas and families, including LGBTQ people of color, immigrants, chosen families, and multi-generational families.

Take a look at the Mamas Day images and send a powerful one-of-a-kind Mamas Day e-card that honors your family today!