Yousef Kazemi
[he / him]
Filmmaker
Outreach + Production Manager, OF+MO
Yousef Kazemi is a writer/director/producer based in Oklahoma City known for award-winning film projects such as “Yes, We’re Open” and “The Stand-In” (2019 Best Oklahoma Short Film, deadCenter Film Festival). Kazemi currently serves as the Outreach and Production Manager for the Oklahoma Film and Music Office (OF+MO), a state division of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department which promotes film and music production in Oklahoma, where he has worked for over ten years. Kazemi is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and supporter of local organizations such as Free Mom Hugs, Other Options and YesLove OKC.
Learn more about Yousef's work
For news, events, and screenings:
The Stand-In
More info on Jamie Lee Curtis, Sara Cunningham, and The Stand-In:
Oklahoman Article
Yousef's Recommendations
ORGANIZATIONS
Free Mom Hugs: https://freemomhugs.org/
Yes Love OKC: https://www.facebook.com/YesLoveOKC/
Other Options: https://www.otheroptionsokc.org/
The Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Human Rights Campaign (HRC): https://www.hrc.org/
Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO): https://okfilmmusic.org/
deadCenter Film Festival: https://www.deadcenterfilm.org/
Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts + Culture: https://www.facebook.com/TulsaFMAC/
The Cherokee Nation Film Office: https://cherokee.film/
FILM
Minari. "This film was made in Oklahoma and is a heartwarming tale for all. Likely to be a major awards contender."
The Prom (Netflix). "A charming musical about love and acceptance for everyone - plus Meryl Streep in supreme diva form!"
TV
The Flight Attendant (HBO Max). "Wonderful dark, comic thriller with an impressive turn from Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory."
Sara Cunningham
[she / her]
Founder, Free Mom Hugs
Sara Cunningham is an author, activist, and founder of the non-profit organization Free Mom Hugs. Her journey is a surprising one that began in conservative Oklahoma, when her son, Parker, came out as gay. As a woman of faith, Sara wrestled with the news until she began to study, research, and reconcile the two worlds. This journey resulted in her book How We Sleep at Night. 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.
Free Mom Hugs is now a movement across the country and the world. Sara goes Beyond the Hug to educate and advocate organizations of all types including schools and businesses striving for safe and protected spaces. She has appeared, many times with her son Parker, on the Today show and The RuPaul Show and spoke at the 2019 GLAAD Awards. She also has been featured in many national publications including The Washington Post, Woman’s Day magazine, and People magazine. Sara is currently in partnership with Jamie Lee Curtis, who has purchased the rights to her book and will release a movie based on her story. An upcoming documentary about the Mama Bears movement by award winning director Daresha Kyi also features Sara and the Free Mom Hugs movement.
Sara’s passion is to change the perspective of the outside world toward this beautiful part of our community so that we as a society, not only learn to affirm, but more importantly, celebrate. Her goal is to help parents and children have authentic relationships and understanding for each other using her own experience and education as a guide. Sara is passionate about connecting with faith, civic, and business leaders in efforts to make the world a kinder, safer place for our LGBTQIA+ family. She is gifted at inspiring others to join her in this movement that is sweeping the nation and the world.
Learn more about Sara's work
How We Sleep at Night: The Sara Cunningham Story
Mama Bears Doc
Mama Bears 5 min video from Daresha Kyi on Vimeo.
Sara's Recommendations
ORGANIZATIONS
PFLAG-National: www.pflag.org
Queer Christian Fellowship (QCF): www.qchristian.org
The Reformation Project (TRP): www.reformation.org
Geeky Justin: www.geekyjustin.com. "Faith, culture, and nuance"
Canyonwalker Connections: www.canyonwalkerconnections.com
Serendipitydodah (Home of the real Mama Bears): www.realmamabears.org. "This website has THE best and most extensive list of resources"
FACEBOOK
Email Liz Dyer to join a private on-line FB group for mom's w/ LGBTQIA2S+ children. "This group offers a wellspring of support and resources."
BOOKS
How We Sleep at Night: A Mother's Memoir by Sara Cunningham
Torn by Justin Lee. "First time I saw the words "gay" and "Christian" in the same sentence."
Walking the Bridgeless Canyon by Kathy Baldock. "Kathy's work confirms that Scripture has been misinterpreted, misunderstood and misused."
God and the Gay Christian by Matthew Vines