"I cannot be silent anymore. Even if my voice shakes, I am going for it. I must speak." - Susan Cottrell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freeing Hearts to Love, Heal and Affirm

 

We free the hearts of faith parents to love, accept and affirm their LGBTQI children.

Many Christian parents believe they must choose between their faith and their LGBTQ child. This dichotomy is false and spiritually dangerous. There is a better way. We offer comprehesive courses, books, support groups, conferences, and other resources for parents who feel isolated and confused, helping them reconcile their faith with their God-given desire to unconditionally love, accept and affirm their LGBTQ child. They are not alone and there is help.

 

We free the hearts of LGBTQI to heal shame from family, religious and community wounds.

We offer healing from parent, family, church and community wounds through support groups, events, online courses, webinars and resources, and we encourage and train LGBTQ Christians and their allies in love and truth.

 

We free the hearts of those in the faith community to be more inclusive and affirming.

Our hearts break for the unloving, unlovable way the non-affirming church has pushed the LGBTQ community away from the God they claim to represent. Many have given up ever being able to reconcile their hearts with God, and face dangerous situations like homeless and substance abuse as a result. FreedHearts is a healing, compassionate bridge between the truth of Jesus, the Church, and the LGBTQ community.

 

We are only able to do this work through the kindness and generosity of people like you. Thank you!

 

“When my daughter came out to me, I prayed it was not true, that God would change her. Instead, God changed me! God generously showed me the flaw in our understanding about it and helped me let go of my expectations of her and of her future. Christian parents often find themselves in a crisis of faith when their LGBTQ comes out. They see their faith in God in conflict with unconditional embrace of their child. It's not. Now, I come alongside parents to show that their faith in God empowers them to love, accept and affirm their LGBTQ child."  - Susan Cottrell

 

FreedHearts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt charitable organization based in Austin.

(NOTE: If you would like to make a donation in a different way, or just to talk about your personal giving, click here to email me directly.

 

                                                                                          

 

 

 

 

• I often get asked by parents for resources that can address the struggles of raising LGBT sons and daughters without having to leave faith behind. Susan Cottrell’s book, Mom, I’m Gay, does just that. This is the kind of book that parents will love. No one should ever have to choose between who they are, whom they love and what they believe. Sadly, though, many parents feel caught between their faith and love for their LGBT child. Cottrell helps parents find a way to see their faith as a means of helping them to love better, including loving their children better, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation. I am very grateful for this book. – Sharon Groves, PhD, Director, Religion and Faith Program, The Human Rights Campaign

• I’m a conservative evangelical, and I didn’t think LGBT people should marry. But I am called to love as I’ve been loved, and I know I need to open my heart to people so deeply hurt by the church. FreedHearts helped me see how families are impacted, and the dangers LGBT face when a condemning message is conveyed. You got me to pause and gave me great tools to be a more loving, Christ-like pastor. It may be a long journey, and I may resist at times, but I believe my heart has started the journey of being free. Thank you! - Scott

• You are helping build bridges & that is a unique, God-given talent. God bless you and thank you for everything you do to help bridge the gap between communities. - Charles

• Thank you for the love you show towards all people, it is so refreshing. I find this kind of love (“love no matter what”) to bring me more peace and a closer walk with Christ. Less friends, but more peace and more of a heart towards others than I ever thought possible. Loving life and loving God more as I continue to love others in the way Christ called us to love. You, my friend are a breathe of fresh air! – Niki

• Susan, I love how you always nail it in truth and love!!!! I am sure this has come from numerous hours of studying the Scriptures. Thank you!! – Carol

• I have been praying for a group like this. I don’t know who to talk to anymore. I have been in the closet with my Christian family. I am scared of their reactions. – Donna

• Thank you for your blog. I so appreciate your candidness and thoughtful presentation of difficult topics! – Cheryl

• The world and especially the LGBT community needs more Christians like you! – Dennis

• I can’t stop reading! There are so many parents on the same journey, often alone. – Melissa

• In one post, you’ve managed to describe the thought process that took me 10 years to get through on my own! I wish I’d had this to give my deeply conservative Christian parents when I came out to them at age 21. I thank God they are available now! – Laura

• Finally, I feel ok about my son being gay! It has taken me 2 years to find someone who understands how it feels to be a strong Christian with a gay child! Your book, "Mom, I'm Gay!" has been a soul saver! I'm sharing it with everyone! Thanks so much for bringing me out of a pretty dark and uncomfortable place! - Judy

• I have to admit, I came to comment to tell you all how wrong you were. But from that first response from another reader, I knew God was doing a work in me. My heart has been touched and I am having to revisit everything I believed about this. Thank you. - Ron