Few can claim the privilege of having a husband-in-law. The very label makes you think: how does that work? But for Matt and Jessica Frew, and Jessica’s ex-husband, Steve Stoddard, it’s not only their relationship, but their brand. The trio have made the best of a complex situation since Steve came out to Jessica as gay shortly after they married 17 years ago…
Read MoreTHE MCEWEN FAMILY
There are many things Liz McEwen knows about herself: that she is madly in love with her husband, Jason. She adores her kids, Scarlett – 5, and Leo – 3. And that she has found tremendous relief since last summer when she came out publicly as bisexual. One added nugget that has helped Liz adapt since she first realized this unique part of herself decades ago: Liz knows she was created by Heavenly Parents who fully understand and love her for who she is. That doesn’t mean it’s always been easy.
Read MoreTHE HANCEY FAMILY
As TV chef and food blogger @charlotte.shares, Charlotte Hancey is known and loved for sharing her “bold Texas taste” culinary delights with the world. She’s now also thrilled to publicly share her love and support for her 19-year-old son, Ethan, who recently joined her in an Instagram post in which she came out as the mother of a gay son. As Ethan is Charlotte’s firstborn, fellow in-house foodie, and favorite mouth to feed, it felt natural that they would also share this side-by-side…
Read MoreA LIFT+LOVE FAMILY STORY
My brother is gay…
Read MoreTHE STEPHENSON FAMILY
Every Christmas Eve, you can find the Stephenson family ice skating with their cousins near their hometown of South Jordan, UT, then eating dinner at Red Robin, a tradition that began several years ago when dinner plans were abruptly canceled and they found themselves with nowhere to eat.
Read MoreTHE SMURTHWAITE FAMILY
“One afternoon when everyone was out of the house, I snuck into the back of my mother’s closet,” says David Smurthwaite of Salt Lake City, UT, recalling his childhood. “There was a really old dress tucked away I’d never seen my mom wear – and rightfully so – and I stole it away to my room along with collected dregs of makeup rejects from our guest bathroom. And there, behind a locked bedroom door, I first experimented with expression….
Read MoreTHE OSTERMILLER FAMILY
“It was just an average Tuesday, and probably the millionth time I’d picked Nicole up from soccer practice,” says Mike Ostermiller of Kayesville, UT. Driving home, they were stuck in traffic, trying to make conversation. On Mike’s mind was a recent experience his wife Kristy had shared, after walking into Nicole’s room and finding her watching a video of two girls kissing. Mike decided it was time to bring it up. Nicole, who was 15 and struggling with depression at the time, didn’t come out and say the words “I’m gay” directly, but she made it clear to her dad that she was attracted to girls instead of boys. Mike says, “I had this moment that I don’t know that any parent plans for. I hadn’t.” But following his gut, Mike turned to his daughter and said, “Nicole, I appreciate you sharing that. I can tell that took a lot of bravery on your part. I love you, and we’re going to figure this out. I don’t know that I’m ready to have this conversation with you today. You’ve trusted me with this information, and I only get one chance to respond. I don’t want to screw it up.” With that, both exhaled and shelved the conversation….
Read MoreTHE HIGGINBOTHAM FAMILY
“As soon as Lu was born, my husband and I were sitting on our bed and looking at this cute little baby with black hair that stuck up in every direction, and we both felt that there was something about this child that we couldn’t quite put our finger on,” says Leah Higginbotham of Highland, Utah. She and husband Dylan are the parents of Olivia – 19, Gage – 17, Nash – 14, Lu – 11, and Lila – 8. Leah says that as Lu (birth name: Lucy) grew, as soon as they could express a preference, Lu was always in boy clothes and wanted their hair cut short. One of Lu’s first sentences when Leah tried to put her toddler in something pink was, “No, I a boy,” as Lu pushed her mother away. Every Sunday was a struggle trying to get Lu into a dress for church. The rest of the week, the Higginbothams allowed Lu to dress as preferred, which frequently attracted comments like, “Oh she’s a tomboy. I used to be a tomboy…” But as Lu grew, instead of leaning away from being a boy, Lu leaned into it even more….
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