Pride Month isn't about celebration. It's about survival.

Lauren Lanzaretta breaks down the hard truth about why LGBTQ people need Pride Month in 2026. And why the criticism, the bills, the "Straight Pride Month" debate, and the political weaponization of trans people prove we need it now more than ever.

THE FACTS:

• 10+ countries execute people for being gay
• 60+ countries criminalize same-sex relationships
• 27 U.S. states can still legally fire you for being LGBTQ (despite federal protections, there are loopholes)
• 36% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide last year
• 800+ anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in 2025 alone

THE REALITY:

LGBTQ+ people are kicked out of their homes by families. They're rejected by churches. They're targeted by politicians. They're assaulted in the streets. And yet, somehow, they're told to apologize for existing.

This is why we need Pride. Not as a party. As a lifeline.

Lauren discusses the systemic oppression, the cultural warfare, the spiritual battle, and what Jesus actually calls us to do: love radically. Not judge. Not exclude. Love.

If you're LGBTQ+, you deserve to know you're not alone. If you're an ally, you need to understand what real solidarity looks like. If you're a person of faith, this will challenge everything you thought you knew about loving your neighbor.

WATCH THIS IF:

You're struggling with your identity

You've been rejected by your church or family

You want to understand why Pride Month matters

You're an ally seeking to do better

You believe in love over hate

YOU ARE WORTHY. YOU ARE LOVED. YOU MATTER.

YOU CAN BE BOTH PODCAST:

A faith-rooted, justice-centered conversation space where LGBTQ+ people know they can exist authentically—at faith and at full pride.

COMMUNITY APP:

Join the You Can Be Both community app for real friendships, weekly Zoom calls, guest speakers, meditations, wellness resources, and book club discussions (currently reading Forging a Sacred Weapon by Kathy Baldock).

JOIN HERE: http://youcanbeboth.com/

CONNECT WITH LAUREN LANZARETTA:

🌐 YouCanBeBoth.com

📱 Instagram: @Lanzaretta

▶️ YouTube: SUBSCRIBE!

🎵 TikTok: @youcanbebothpodcast

📱 Instagram (Podcast): @youcanbeeboth

Sara Cunningham, founder of Free Mom Hugs, shares the powerful story of how she went from rejecting her gay son to leading an international movement that has impacted hundreds of thousands.

It wasn't easy. When Sara's youngest son came out to her at 21, she didn't take it well. She was frozen in fear — terrified he would be condemned to hell, convinced that accepting him would make her a sinner too. She shamed him with the very best of intentions.

But everything changed in 2014 when her son invited her to her first Pride parade. There, she met a girl who hadn't hugged her mother in four years because she was a lesbian. That hug — that moment — became the spark that ignited Sara's journey toward understanding, acceptance, and ultimately, unconditional love.

Today, Free Mom Hugs is an international nonprofit movement with over 40,000 volunteers and 250 groups across the country. Sara has been featured on the Today Show, RuPaul's show, in People Magazine, and the Washington Post. But more importantly, she's helping thousands of LGBTQ+ people and their families find healing, belonging, and acceptance.

In this episode, Sara opens up about:

-The moment she found out her son was gay and how she initially responded

-How her theology deconstructed and reconstructed-Finding an online community of 250 moms going through the same journey

-The pivotal moment at Pride that changed everything

-How Free Mom Hugs grew from a simple gesture into a global movement

-Why visibility, education, and conversation matter

-Her message to parents still struggling with their child's sexual orientation

This episode is for anyone struggling with faith and LGBTQ identity, parents coming to terms with having an LGBTQ child, or anyone interested in the power of radical love and acceptance.

You Can Be Both Podcast reminds you that you can be both LGBTQ+ and a person of faith.

RESOURCES:

Free Mom Hugs: freemomhugs.com

Sara's Book: "How We Sleep at Night": https://amzn.to/3SSehTn

Lauren's LGBTQ Healing and Resource Guide: laurenlanzaretta.com/youcanbeboth

Lauren's Music: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube — search Lauren Lanzaretta

FOLLOW LAUREN:

Instagram: @lanzaretta

TikTok: @Lanzaretta

YouTube: Lauren Lanzaretta

For more than 20 years, Leah Rae Yawn (formerly Shafer) was a gospel worship leader at Saddleback Church. She sang for Women of Faith, worked with Michael W. Smith and Natalie Grant, recorded multiple albums, and sung the national anthem at NFL games. Her voice and faith were her livelihood, her heart, and her life.

Then she came out as gay — and lost it all.

In this powerful episode of You Can Be Both, Leah Rae opens up about her journey from a strict Christian upbringing to realizing she was bisexual, her 21-year marriage to a man, and the moment she met Captain Sandy Yawn from Bravo's Below Deck Mediterranean — the first woman she ever truly loved.

When the churches that had been her home for decades discovered her relationship with Sandy, they rejected her completely. She was no longer allowed to lead worship. Her platform vanished. The community she'd served for two decades turned their backs.

But in losing everything, Leah found something greater: authenticity, freedom, and a partner who loves her unconditionally.

In this episode, Leah shares:

• How she suppressed her sexuality for decades while leading worship
• The moment she knew she was drawn to women
• What it felt like to lose her church community overnight

• Her relationship with Captain Sandy and what true love means now
• Why LGBTQ+ people belong in church and can lead worship
• Her message to LGBTQ+ people still struggling in the closet or in unsupportive churches

Leah's Powerful Message: "If you can't find a church that you feel like you belong to, there's so many other beautiful things out there that can help you thrive. Church is not a building — it's the soul."

This is a conversation about faith, rejection, love, and reclaiming your voice. If you've been rejected by a faith community, if you're struggling to come out, or if you're navigating faith and sexuality — this episode is for you.

FEATURED:

-Leah Rae Yawn, Gospel Singer & Worship Leader (Now Married to Captain Sandy Yawn)

-Host: Lauren Lanzaretta, You Can Be Both Podcast

RESOURCES:

Lauren's LGBTQ+ Healing and Resource Guide: laurenlanzaretta.com/youcanbeboth

FOLLOW:

Leah Rae Yawn on Instagram: @leahraeofficial

Captain Sandy Yawn on Instagram: @captainsandrayawn

Below Deck Mediterranean on Bravo

LAUREN:

Instagram: @Lanzaretta

Spotify: Lauren Lanzaretta

Apple Music: Lauren Lanzaretta

YouTube: Lauren Lanzaretta