Changing the Human Conversation on Love and Inclusion

SUSAN COTTRELL is an international speaker featured on the TED stage for a live audience of 5,000 at TEDxMileHigh, and whose TEDx talk has more than a million views. She was called “The Mother of All MamaBears” by OutSmart magazine. A prominent voice for faith parents of LGBTQ children, she has been featured on ABC’s 20/20, Nightline and Good Morning America, on NBC News Out, on The Advocate Magazine’s viral videos—as “our favorite affirming matriarch”—and is a contributor on the Our Bible app. She is a public theologian, acclaimed author, and through the nonprofit organization—FreedHearts—Susan champions the LGBTQ community and families with her authentic love; and she challenges Christians to love as the foundation of faith. She spent 20+ years in the nonaffirming Evangelical church, has a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and served as the Vice-President of PFLAG Austin. Her books ”Mom, I’m Gay”—Loving Your LGBTQ Child and Strengthening Your Faith; True Colors: Celebrating the Truth and Beauty of the Real You; Radically Included: The Biblical Case for Radical Love and Inclusion; and Be the Love You Want to See in the World are critically acclaimed. She and her husband Rob have been married for more than 30 years and have five children, two of whom identify as queer.

“Susan has this fierce, loving, don’t mess with me, Mom vibe.”—Rev Ashley Harness, Auburn Seminary

“What impresses me about Susan is that she’s not someone who argues and strongarms people into seeing things her way. She’s someone who listens and cares for others really well. Her presence challenges Christians who reject our friends in the LGBTQ community to understand the love of God.” - Michael Hidalgo, Lead Pastor, Denver Community Church

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For information on booking Susan for your conference, church, corporation, school, or other event; or for working with her on an ongoing basis, please contact us at FreedHearts.