What do you do if you’re a gay person on your wedding day, but your parents aren’t there because they’ve disowned you?

Sara Cunningham, an Oklahoma mother and ordained minister, has the solution: She’ll volunteer to be your “stand-in” mom.

Cunningham is an ordained minister and LGBT advocate who was directed towards activism by her gay son. … Since becoming a minister in 2016, Cunningham has presided over many LGBT weddings all over Oklahoma. In a recent Facebook post, Cunningham also volunteered to attend the weddings of any same-sex couples whose parents refused to attend. … “The post came from hearing from several same-sex couples — how their parents refuse to attend their wedding, or even acknowledge their relationships.”

Comments on that post show appreciation for Cunningham’s gesture — it even inspired other moms to do the same. While it’s depressing that such a situation would even arise, it’s the reality for far too many people on what’s supposed to be one of the happiest days of their lives.

Cunningham’s presence can’t completely make up for the couples’ loss, but I hope it serves as a reminder that, despite what we may hear on the news, the world still has some decent people left in it.

I can only hope that, in the future, Cunningham’s generosity won’t be necessary.

